Synthesis: Increase Awareness and Use of Transportation Nature-Based Solutions

Transportation systems and facilities face challenges and impacts from extreme weather, changes in precipitation, sea level rise, and storm surge. There have been many discussions including the Statewide Resiliency Plan that identify the stressors and provide a summary of solutions to help bolster system resiliency; however, nature-based solutions is a tool and methodology that has little awareness at the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and limited use. Currently, TxDOT does not have guidelines for implementing nature-based solutions. This project will investigate how nature-based solutions can be used to protect roadway facilities from flooding, storm surge, and sea level rise. The research will begin with a comprehensive literature review of case studies on the successful use of nature-based solutions in transportation systems. It will then summarize existing resources, tools, research, and national and international guidance, with a focus on applicability to various Texas regions. The project will identify use cases and opportunities specific to TxDOT roadway facilities, aiming to enhance awareness and provide a foundation for future implementation guidelines.

• Record URL:
  • https://library.ctr.utexas.edu/Presto/project=0-7240

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $64,585.00
• Contract Numbers:

  0-7240

• 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:

  Kasberg, Katelyn

• Performing Organizations:

  University of Houston, Texas

  Houston, TX  United States 

  Texas Southern University, Houston

  3100 Cleburne Street
  Houston, TX  United States  77004
• Principal Investigators:

  Gao, Lu

• Start Date: 20250901
• Expected Completion Date: 20260831
• Actual Completion Date: 0

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Climate change adaptation; Disaster resilience; Floods; Hazard mitigation; Infrastructure; Risk assessment; Strategic planning
• Geographic Terms: Texas
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Highways; Planning and Forecasting; Security and Emergencies;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01967529
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Texas Department of Transportation
• Contract Numbers: 0-7240
• Files: RIP, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Sep 29 2025 4:06PM