New Jersey’s transportation system, which comprises a vast array of infrastructure, is vulnerable to a range of extreme weather and climate-related hazards including: warming temperatures, temperature extremes, intense precipitation events, drought, rising sea levels, and storm surges. The impact of extreme weather and changing climate conditions on transportation infrastructure and assets will vary by mode and location but are likely to be very costly. The primary goal of this proposal is to work with NJDOT to develop a new visualization tool and enhanced capacity for NJDOT personnel to assess the flood vulnerability of its infrastructure and assets.

The intended outcome of the project will include new tools and workflows designed to better inform NJDOT asset management and project development decisions as well as operations and maintenance procedures. The integration of flood hazard vulnerability data into existing capital planning and asset management processes will, over time, improve the overall durability and resilience of transportation infrastructure weather and climate hazards. To promote utilization of the NJDOT Flood Risk Visualization Tool and to make other audiences broadly aware of DOT’s efforts to address resilience in transportation decision-making in New Jersey, the research team will conduct internal NJDOT training sessions to expose NJDOT personnel to the availability of the NJDOT Flood Risk Visualization Tool and how the tool can be used to incorporate flood resilience considerations as part of capital planning, project design, operations, maintenance and other decisions being made by the department. Furthermore, the team will find opportunities to present the research at professional conferences, trade association meetings, NJ League of Municipalities, etc.