This Climate Adaptation Forum looked at how coastal, riverine and stormwater flooding threaten the function and health of the overall roadway system as a changing climate brings sea level rise and more intense rainfall events.
The forum highlighted recent and ongoing research aimed at understanding how our roadway infrastructure is affected by flooding and climate change and what tools are available to prioritize investments to protect it. The program featured three panelists, Michael Scott, Ph.D., Salisbury University, Elkins Green, Director of Environmental Resources, NJDOT, and Dan Szekeres, Senior Associate, Michael Baker International, presenting their current research conducted on behalf of the Maryland, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania departments of transportation respectively. The presenters talked about models to assess vulnerability, the payback on investments made to protect transportation infrastructure, lessons learned, existing data gaps, and plans for future research.
Panelists participated in a moderated discussion, which included questions from participants.
Workshop Summary [0. 15 MB pdf]
Program
Welcome/Overview [1.7 MB pdf]
Rob Graff, Manager, Office of Energy & Climate Change Initiatives, DVRPC
Presentations
Methods and Issues with Predicting the Impact of Periodic Flooding using a Range of Sea-Level Change Scenarios on Transportation Infrastructure [2.2 MB PDF]
Michael Scott, Ph.D., Interim Dean, Henson School of Science and Technology; Professor, Department of Geography and Geosciences; Director, Eastern Shore Regional GIS Cooperative - Salisbury University (Salisbury, MD)
New Jersey Department of Transportation Extreme Weather Asset Management Pilot Study [1.3 MB PDF]
Elkins Green, Director of Environmental Resources, NJDOT
Addressing Transportation System Resiliency at PennDOT [1.4 MB PDF]
Dan Szekeres, Senior Associate, Michael Baker International
Panel Discussion and Audience Q&A
Moderated by Rob Graff
Handouts
- Meeting Agenda [0.4 MB pdf]
- Panelists Bios [0.2 MB pdf]
- Registrants and Attendees [0.2 MB pdf]