A novel seismic vulnerability assessment for the urban roadway by using interval valued fermatean fuzzy analytical hierarchy process

Abstract Seismic activity poses significant challenges to urban road infrastructure, often resulting in road closures due to the combined effects of damaged buildings and affected road networks. In contrast, the resilience of roads is crucially important for all kinds of relief activities after an earthquake in this context, this study outlines a methodological framework for assessing the vulnerability of urban road infrastructure to seismic activity. By integrating various criteria within an Interval-valued Fermatean fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process framework, the approach offers a comprehensive analysis of vulnerability, considering both quantitative and qualitative factors. This method is a weighting method that has not been used before in MCDM studies in the field of earthquakes. A risk factor is obtained for each road section by using this comprehensive analysis of the vulnerability. This integrated approach considers the interplay between damaged buildings, road networks, and disaster response mechanisms, thereby enhancing the ability to anticipate and respond to seismic events effectively. The study conducts a case study in Istanbul, Turkey, a seismic-prone area, to validate the effectiveness of the proposed methodology. Key findings indicate that the approach can identify and quantify vulnerabilities within the transport network, enabling the identification of high-risk areas for necessary mitigation measures. Moreover, the methodology’s validity is confirmed through a validation study in Gölbaşı district, Adıyaman, Türkiye, which experienced severe damage during earthquakes on 6 February 2023 earthquakes. By providing a structured and comprehensive vulnerability analysis, the research aims to contribute to the resilience of urban infrastructure, particularly in earthquake-prone regions.