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Hydrologic and Hydraulic Design Guide for Transportation Infrastructure

In 2019, NCHRP Project 15-61 developed a proposed design guide to equip hydrologic and hydraulic (H&H) engineers with tools to enhance current design methods in response to observed changes in storm intensity, flood frequency, and coastal water levels. The proposed guide addresses challenges such as inland and coastal flooding, storm surge impacts, and extreme precipitation events, helping engineers improve the planning, design, operation, and maintenance of transportation infrastructure under dynamic environmental conditions. It presents a comprehensive framework for incorporating up-to-date hydrologic data and analytical methods into project- and program-level H&H analysis. As a result of current engineering standards, the availability of new datasets and modeling tools after the initial development of the proposed guide in 2019, research is needed to update the proposed guide The objective of this research is to develop a guide for state DOTs and practitioners to support inland and coastal H&H design of transportation infrastructure. The accomplishment of the project objective will require at least the following tasks. Task 1. Conduct a critical review of: (a) the reports prepared under NCHRP Project 15-61 "Applying Climate Change Information to Hydrologic and Hydraulic Design of Transportation Infrastructure" with an emphasis on the design practices; (b) the NCHRP Project 20-44(23) final report with an emphasis on “themes,” “complexity," and “popularity ratings" in Chapter 4 and the study team’s discussions in Chapter 5; (c) the NCHRP Project 20-44(23) “Panelists’ Guidance List” with feedback on the NCHRP Project 20-44(23) DOT proposed revisions. The activities conducted during Task 1 shall focus on updating the existing design practices developed under NCHRP Project 15-61. Task 2. Synthesize the information gathered in Task 1. Develop an outline for the Guide to accomplish the research objective, including the rationale (e.g., need, impact, required resources) used in the selection of the topics for the outline. Additionally, provide a timeline and cost estimate for the development of the outline to efficiently accomplish the research objective. The research team must leverage their knowledge in inland and coastal hydrology, and hydraulic design engineering, and draw from their experience to build upon the ideas and analyses presented in the available resources above and use them in the development of the outline. Task 3. Prepare Interim Report No. 1 which documents the results of Tasks 1 and 2 and addresses the comments provided by the NCHRP panel. Interim Report No. 1 shall also propose a practical framework for incorporating new analyses and methodologies as these become available to address the dynamic nature of the discipline and provide an updated detailed plan for Phases II and III. Task 4. Develop the Guide according to the approved Interim Report No. 1. For the development of the Guide, the research team will identify and propose realistic examples and projects to the panel and if approved, these will be added to the Guide. Additionally, to the extent possible and practicable, the research team will address the following topics during Phase II of the project: (a) the consolidation of project design processes consistent with DOT hydraulic design manuals and incorporation into the Guide; (b) compound flooding (riverine plus coastal); (c) reconciling or aligning disparate spatial and temporal dimensions in hydrologic and hydraulic procedures used by DOTs; and (d) making the Guide and the Framework implementable and practical for H&H engineers working across the country in very different hydro-climate regimes. Task 5. Prepare a draft conduct of research report that at least includes the following: (1) an annotated outline of the report, (2) the draft Guide, and (3) the draft Framework to incorporate new analyses and methodologies into the Guide. Task 6. Present the Guide to the AASHTO Technical Committee on Hydrology and Hydraulics during a virtual meeting for comments and propose revisions (NCHRP will support the planning and execution of the virtual meeting). Revise the Guide considering the NCHRP’s review comments and prepare the final deliverables listed in Task 7 no later than 3 months after approval of Phase III. Task 7. Prepare final deliverables including (1) a conduct of research report documenting the entire research effort and lessons learned, (2) the Guide, and (3) a stand-alone technical memorandum titled “Implementation of Research Findings and Products”.

Language

  • English

Project

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 01735857
  • Record Type: Research project
  • Source Agency: Transportation Research Board
  • Contract Numbers: Project 15-61A
  • Files: TRB, RIP
  • Created Date: Apr 6 2020 7:54PM