• risk analysis
• network road collapse
• floods
• rainstorms
• gis
• bridge failure

Recent failures in road networks highlight their vulnerability towards natural hazards, particularly to extreme weather events. In this paper, the collapse of short span bridges is analysed investigating the main causes related to loss of maintenance, inadequate flow section, improper use of soil. In addition, relevant consequences in terms of safety of human life, direct and indirect cost are crucial aspects to consider. This paper proposes a method to evaluate the safety of road network in case of collapse of one or more bridges. The framework described here is based on the knowledge of road and river network, of the individual bridges and of the traffic data. However, this approach can be generalized in case of interruption of road network due to other causes. An algorithm has been developed to extract traffic data from Google and elaborate it throughout a procedure based on the application of the USA Highway Capacity Manual. This consents to have a quantitative definition of the road traffic directly from the users and to get updated traffic data. The maps are processed throughout a GIS software and, thanks to the application of a routing algorithm and proper constraints, it is possible to evaluate the effects of the interruption of one or more bridges. The consequences are evaluated in terms of drivers’ delay and time cost. This provides useful information about priority of intervention with the aim of proposing to stakeholders a suitable instrument for disaster prevention and management.