A new empirical system for rock slope stability analysis in exploitation stage

•Empirical system to obtain a quality index for rock slopes in road infrastructures in a exploitation stage.•Evaluation of several factors and parameters related to the rock slope stability.•Allows a qualitative and quantitative classification of rock slope stability degree and hazard evaluation.•Important tool in the decision making process and planning interventions.•Realistic evaluation of slopes using different levels of available data.

An empirical system was developed to obtain a quality index for rock slopes in road infrastructures, named Slope Quality Index (SQI), and it was applied to a set of real slopes. The SQI is supported in nine factors affecting slope stability that contemplate the evaluation of different parameters. Consequently, each factor is classified by the degree of importance and influence by assigned weights. These weights were established through a statistical analysis of replies to a survey that was distributed to several experienced professionals in the field.The proposed SQI varies between 1 and 5, corresponding to slopes in very good and very bad condition state, respectively. Besides the advantage linked to a quantitative and qualitative evaluation of slopes, the SQI also allows identifying the most critical factors on the slope stability, which is a fundamental issue for an efficient management of the slope network in the road infrastructure, namely in the planning of conservation and maintenance operations.