WSDOT - Climate Impact Vulnerability Assessment - State Routes

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 state routes. 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. 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.华盛顿州运输部（Washington State Department of Transportation, WSDOT）承接美国联邦公路管理局（Federal Highway Administration, FHWA）的资助项目，开发本数据集以测试专为交通基础设施研发的概念性气候风险评估模型。WSDOT通过一系列全州范围的专家研讨会，运用情景规划方法应用该模型，结合本地专家力量，针对华盛顿州各区域、各运输模式下的资产开展气候脆弱性定性评估。本次全州项目中，管理资产被定义为公路或铁路路段，以及完整设施（渡轮码头或机场）。共计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。每场研讨会的产出为参会人员共同达成的资产脆弱性主观评价。本要素类包含州级公路的评估结果。本研究假设华盛顿大学气候影响组（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、极端天气事件增多、降水变化、海平面上升、火灾风险及强风。随着气候模型及对反馈系统的整体认知不断完善，科学界对气候影响的理解也在持续演进。目前我们尚无关于华盛顿州气候变化的具体发生方式、时间、地点及影响规模的完整信息。研讨会参会人员在审视针对本区域的极端天气事件及其他预估影响后，结合本地地质、自然与人工排水系统及水文状况、海拔、坡度、土地利用及运维问题，对公路、铁路路段或特定设施进行了界定。完成界定后，需针对每个路段或设施就两项变量进行排名：资产关键性与潜在影响程度。资产关键性由参会人员定义，请勿与其他指标（如公路功能等级）混淆。1) 该站点或路段对整体交通运营及公共安全的关键性如何？定性评估关键性采用以下分级标准：a. 1-3分：低风险——日均交通量较低、有可用替代路线，且不属于国家公路系统的设施/路段；b. 4-6分：中风险——日均交通量为中低水平，可作为其他州级公路或设施的替代路线；c. 7-10分：高风险——为州际公路或其他主要干线公路，被视为生命线路线，或是人口聚居区或关键设施的唯一通行路径。2) 潜在气候变化将如何影响该站点或路段的运营？气候影响评估采用以下分级标准：a. 1-3分：低风险——通行能力下降：设施/路段部分开放，可在10天内恢复全部运营；b. 4-6分：中风险——临时运营中断：设施/路段关闭数小时至数天，可在60天内完成重启或修复；c. 7-10分：高风险——完全瘫痪：设施/路段大概率需要大规模维修或重建，关闭时长将超过60天。针对影响程度与资产关键性的定性排名及部分通用描述被录入电子表格，后续用于创建地理信息系统（Geographic Information System, GIS）图层。本数据集旨在服务于全州或区域规划，协助调整运维与工程政策及实践，以在未来数十年内保护交通基础设施。本次排名基于研究开展时的认知与理解，仅可作为评估可能危及人员或基础设施安全的潜在状况时的最佳专业估算。需始终纳入当前预估气候变化、资产使用与状况的最新信息，尤其随着时间推移。