The Kobe, Japan was devastated by Hyogoken-Nanbu earthquake in 1995. This paper discusses measurements of post-disaster
system
performance and applies them to the urban
transportation systems (rail and highway) of this region. Performance has been assessed in terms of network coverage and transport accessibility.
These measurements can be used to assess not only immediate post-earthquake system deterioration, but also performance restoration over the reconstruction period.
They were also useful in making comparison between the levels of disruption in transportation and other lifeline systems. Damage of performance was much more bad for highways and railways than other lifeline systems. Both transportation systems were poor during disaster but service repairing of rail was much more rapid. Results were compared with the 1989 Loma Prieta and 1994 Northridge earthquakes in the U.S. and specified that damage in their system performance had been small in comparison with the Kobe. The paper shows that measurement of transportation system performance can make easier not only the understanding the effects of the events but also preparing for future disasters.