WSDOT - Climate Impact Vulnerability Assessment - Facility

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) developed this data set in fulfillment of a grant from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to test a conceptual climate risk assessment model developed for transportation infrastructure. WSDOT applied the model using scenario planning in a series of statewide workshops, using local experts, to create qualitative assessment of climate vulnerability on its assets in each region and mode across Washington. For the purposes of this statewide effort, managed assets were defined as sections of highway or railroad, and whole facilities (Ferry Terminal or Airport). Fourteen workshops engaged experts across all WSDOT regions, state ferries, rail, and aviation. The outcome of each workshop was a subjective evaluation of asset vulnerability agreed upon by participants. This feature class contains the results for WSDOT facilities. This study assumed 100% probability of climate change impacts previously identified in the University of Washington Climate Impacts Group's 2009 assessment. Types of impacts discussed in the workshops with local experts included: temperature changes, increase in extreme weather events, precipitation changes, sea level rise, fire risk, and high winds. The scientific community's understanding of climate impacts continues to evolve as the models and collective understanding of feedback systems improve. We do not have perfect information about exactly how, when, where, and to what magnitude climate changes will unfold in Washington State. After reviewing the extreme weather events and other impacts projected for their area, workshop participants defined sections of highway, rail, or specific facilities with consideration of the local geology, natural and constructed drainage and hydrology, elevation, slope, land use and operational maintenance issues. Once defined, each corridor or facility was then ranked for two variables: asset criticality and potential impact. Asset criticality (which was defined by the workshop participants) should not be confused with other measures such as highway functional class. Descriptions of potential impacts to the WSDOT facilities in this feature class were not rated for impact or criticality. 1) How critical is that site or corridor to overall transportation operations and public safety? The following scale guided the qualitative assessment of criticality: a. 1-3 = Low - facility/corridor with low daily traffic, available alternate routes, not part of the National Highway System b. 4-6 = Medium - facility/corridor has low to medium daily traffic, serves as an alternate route of other state corridors or facilities c. 7-10 = High - facility/corridor is an Interstate or other major highway, is considered a lifeline route or is the sole access to a population center or critical facility. 2) How might potential climate changes impact site or corridor operations? The following scale guided the assessment of climate impacts: a. 1-3 = Low - Reduced Capacity: facility/corridor partially open to use and full operations can be restored within 10 days b. 4-6 = Medium - Temporary Operational Failure: Facility/corridor closed for hours or days. Reopening or repair could be completed within 60 days. c. 7-10 = High - Complete Failure: facility/corridor likely to require major repair or rebuild with closures lasting more than 60 days. These qualitative rankings for impacts and asset criticality and some general descriptions were captured in spreadsheets that were later used to create GIS layers. This data is intended for use in statewide or regional planning and to assist in adapting maintenance and engineering policies and practices to protect our transportation infrastructure over the coming decades. The rankings here were based on our knowledge and understanding at the time of the study, and should only be taken as a best professional estimate for considering potential conditions that might put people or infrastructure at risk. Current information about projected climate changes and asset use and condition should always be taken into account, especially as time progresses.本数据集由华盛顿州运输部（Washington State Department of Transportation, WSDOT）为完成美国联邦公路管理局（Federal Highway Administration, FHWA）的一项资助项目而研发，旨在测试一款专为交通基础设施开发的概念性气候风险评估模型。 WSDOT通过一系列全州范围的研讨会，结合情景规划方法并邀请本地专家参与，将该模型应用于实践，对华盛顿州各区域、各运输模式下的管理资产气候脆弱性开展定性评估。本次全域工作将管理资产定义为公路或铁路路段，以及完整设施（如渡轮码头或机场）。共有14场研讨会，邀请了WSDOT所有区域、州渡轮、铁路及航空领域的专家参与。每场研讨会的成果均为与会者共同商定的资产脆弱性主观评价结果。本要素类包含WSDOT设施的评估结果。 本研究假设华盛顿大学气候影响小组（University of Washington Climate Impacts Group）2009年评估中已确认的气候变化影响发生概率为100%。研讨会中与本地专家讨论的影响类型包括：气温变化、极端天气事件频次增加、降水变化、海平面上升、火灾风险及强风。随着气候模型与反馈系统认知的不断完善，科学界对气候影响的认知也在持续演进。目前我们尚无法确切知晓华盛顿州的气候变化将以何种方式、在何时何地发生，以及影响规模究竟几何。 在审视针对本区域预测的极端天气事件及其他影响后，研讨会与会者结合当地地质、自然与人工排水系统及水文状况、海拔、坡度、土地利用及运营维护问题，对公路路段、铁路路段或特定设施进行了界定。完成界定后，需针对两项变量对每个走廊或设施进行评级：资产关键性与潜在影响。资产关键性由研讨会与会者定义，不应与公路功能等级等其他衡量标准混淆。本要素类中针对WSDOT设施的潜在影响描述，并未进行影响程度或关键性评级。 1. 该站点或走廊对整体交通运营及公共安全的关键性如何？以下评分标准用于指导关键性的定性评估： a. 1-3分：低——日均交通量较低、具备可用替代路线，且不属于国家公路系统的设施/走廊； b. 4-6分：中——日均交通量为中低水平，可作为其他州级走廊或设施的替代路线的设施/走廊； c. 7-10分：高——属于州际公路或其他主要公路，被视为生命线路线，或是人口中心或关键设施唯一通行通道的设施/走廊。 2. 潜在气候变化将如何影响该站点或走廊的运营？以下评分标准用于指导气候影响评估： a. 1-3分：低——容量下降：设施/走廊部分开放，且可在10天内恢复全面运营； b. 4-6分：中——临时运营中断：设施/走廊关闭数小时至数天，可在60天内完成重新开放或修复工作； c. 7-10分：高——完全失效：设施/走廊大概率需要大规模维修或重建，关闭时长将超过60天。 上述针对影响程度与资产关键性的定性评级，以及部分通用描述均被录入电子表格，后续用于创建地理信息系统（Geographic Information System, GIS）图层。本数据集旨在用于全州或区域规划，协助调整维护与工程政策及实践，以在未来数十年内保护我们的交通基础设施。 本次评级基于研究开展时的认知与理解，仅可作为评估可能使人员或基础设施面临风险的潜在状况的最佳专业估算值。随着时间推移，应始终纳入有关预测气候变化、资产使用及状况的最新信息。