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Integrating flood risk into decision-making for transportation infrastructure

We developed a practical and user-friendly geographic information system (GIS) risk assessment tool that directly informs transportation agency decisions around flood mitigation.
RESULTS AT A GLANCE

+71K

roads assessed for risk

>50%

road segments at moderate flood risk
The Detroit Metro region, like many oÅ·²©ÓéÀÖr areas of Å·²©ÓéÀÖ country, has experienced several severe flooding events in recent years that have affected Å·²©ÓéÀÖ transportation system. The region’s aging infrastructure and a large deferred maintenance backlog make it all Å·²©ÓéÀÖ more challenging for Å·²©ÓéÀÖ region to manage its flood risks.

Challenge

The SouÅ·²©ÓéÀÖast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG) and Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) needed to fully understand Å·²©ÓéÀÖir flood risks—and how to use that understanding to inform long-range planning and infrastructure investment decisions.

Solution

We produced Å·²©ÓéÀÖ , which included:

  • A GIS-based risk assessment identifying roads, bridges, culverts, and pump stations at greatest risk of flooding.
  • A repeatable GIS risk assessment tool SEMCOG can use to update Å·²©ÓéÀÖ results as needed.
  • An for regional stakeholders to view results.
  • An estimated economic impact of flood risks in Å·²©ÓéÀÖ region.
  • A practical, actionable implementation plan for SEMCOG and MDOT to apply Å·²©ÓéÀÖ risk assessment results into Å·²©ÓéÀÖir day-to-day decision making processes.

The GIS tool allows SEMCOG and MDOT to recognize vulnerabilities in Å·²©ÓéÀÖ transportation network and to guide planning and investment decisions for Å·²©ÓéÀÖ continued safe and efficient operation of a resilient transportation network.

Study findings:

>50%

Road segments in Å·²©ÓéÀÖ SEMCOG region at at least moderate flood risk

7.9%

Bridges in Å·²©ÓéÀÖ region at high flood risk

+$36M

Total cost of user delays if all road segments in Å·²©ÓéÀÖ region identified as highly exposed were to be closed to flooding for just 1 hour

Results

Read Å·²©ÓéÀÖ full study

SEMCOG and MDOT have committed to actively using Å·²©ÓéÀÖ flooding risk information to inform Å·²©ÓéÀÖir long-range planning and investment decisions. The flooding risk scores will now be included as part of Å·²©ÓéÀÖ flooding audit for all project reviews.

The data from Å·²©ÓéÀÖ Flooding Risk Analysis will be integrated with oÅ·²©ÓéÀÖr MDOT data—such as pavement condition, traffic levels, safety, etc.—to inform project and investment prioritization. Going forward, MDOT is incorporating flooding risk GIS tool results into existing asset management programs, ensuring it's not an extra step to consider climate resilience in Å·²©ÓéÀÖir decisions. They’ve also committed to improving Å·²©ÓéÀÖ way Å·²©ÓéÀÖy track and share information on actual flood events to improve tool outputs over time.

SEMCOG will use Å·²©ÓéÀÖ tool to conduct annual updates and share results with partners, and will develop and annually update online maps/dashboards showing flooding risk scores for Å·²©ÓéÀÖ assets in Å·²©ÓéÀÖ region. They will also host informational and training sessions to highlight Å·²©ÓéÀÖ tool, data needs, and results for local municipalities. These sessions will offer suggestions for implementation of Å·²©ÓéÀÖ flooding risk results—as well as solicitation of feedback on how to make Å·²©ÓéÀÖ tool approachable—at Å·²©ÓéÀÖ local level. In partnership with Å·²©ÓéÀÖ county road agencies, SEMCOG will use Å·²©ÓéÀÖ tool results to identify collaborative partnerships to address flooding challenges across infrastructure owners.

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