Weather-Responsive Management Strategies for Traveler Information During Flood Events

Federal Highway Administration2020PDFBriefUnited States. Federal Highway Administration. Office of OperationsJohnson, DavidStolle, SinclairLohman, TonyaMattison, MichaelWells, KellyTaylor, ValerieUghanze, UgonnaUnited States. Federal Highway Administration. Office of OperationsUnited StatesWeatherTraveler information and communication systemsFlood protectionManagementFHWA-HOP-20-045The Weather-Responsive Management Strategies (WRMS) initiative under the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Every Day Counts \u2013 Round 5 (EDC-5) program promotes the use of road weather data from mobile and connected vehicle (CV) technologies to support traffic and maintenance management strategies during inclement weather. The goal is to improve safety and reliability, as well as to reduce environmental impacts on the transportation system resulting from adverse weather. WRMS can mitigate the impact of major flooding events through preparation and prediction efforts that leverage and build data, tools, and relationships. As a result, agencies are better equipped for response and recovery efforts, including improved traveler information. While experience with major flood events increases Department of Transportation (DOT) staff's understanding of how to assess and respond to flood risks, flood-related WRMS enable DOT staff to better understand the consequences of specific stream gauge readings, what the impacts will be and where, who to talk to, what resources are available, and new tools and next steps required to advance practices. Traveler information is an especially valuable tool during major flood events because of how extensive and prolonged the impacts from such events can be. This fact sheet provides an overview of traveler information strategies based on lessons learned and experiences from Iowa DOT, Missouri DOT, Nebraska DOT, North Carolina DOT, and Houston TranStar while managing flood events that had significant and prolonged impacts and road closures.96