Synthesis: Assess Hazard and Vulnerability Prioritization for Texas Bridges and Tunnels

Recent state and national incidents have underscored the need for a comprehensive assessment of hazards and vulnerabilities affecting Texas bridges and tunnels. Accidental and intentional bridge fires, vessel allisions, and other threats pose significant risks to structural integrity, safety, and functionality, leading to costly repairs and potential service disruptions. This research aims to develop a systematic approach to measure and quantify vulnerabilities in existing bridges across the state. The study will begin with a literature review and data collection on past bridge incidents, analysing causes, effects, and current mitigation strategies, including best practices from other states. Recommendations for updates to Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) manuals regarding hazard mitigation in bridge design, maintenance, and management will be developed. A risk assessment and vulnerability evaluation procedure will be created to quantify and prioritize at-risk bridges and tunnels. Using this procedure, high-risk structures will be identified and ranked based on their importance and criticality. The final phase will incorporate these findings into draft language for potential inclusion in TxDOT manuals.

• Record URL:
  • https://library.ctr.utexas.edu/Presto/project=0-7239

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $64,961.00
• Contract Numbers:

  0-7239

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Texas Department of Transportation

  125 E. 11th Street
  Austin, TX  United States  78701-2483
• Managing Organizations:

  Texas Department of Transportation

  125 E. 11th Street
  Austin, TX  United States  78701-2483
• Project Managers:

  Adediwura, Jade

• Performing Organizations:

  University of Houston, Texas

  Houston, TX  United States 

  Center for Transportation Research

  3925 W. Braker Lane
  Austin, TX  United States  78759
• Principal Investigators:

  Gao, Lu

• Start Date: 20250923
• Expected Completion Date: 20260831
• Actual Completion Date: 0

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bridges; Disaster resilience; Hazard mitigation; Hazards; Risk assessment; Safety and security; Strategic planning; Tunnels
• Geographic Terms: Texas
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Highways; Planning and Forecasting; Safety and Human Factors; Security and Emergencies;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01967528
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Texas Department of Transportation
• Contract Numbers: 0-7239
• Files: RIP, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Sep 29 2025 4:02PM