Risk-Informed Investment for Tropical Cyclone Preparedness of Highway Signs, Signals, and Lights

Abstract

Transportation corridors at regional and national scales are vulnerable to region-wide natural disasters resulting from tropical cyclones, including tropical storms and hurricanes. In addition to floods and debris causing the corridors to be impassable, the widespread damage to signs, lights, and signals brings severe safety concerns to the system users. Agencies must prepare for tropical cyclone-related needs and anticipate various storm scenarios in order to prioritize their investment for upgrading existing equipment. This paper develops a method to consider investment alternatives for highway equipment (i.e., signs, signals, and lights) through the evaluation of trade-offs between cost and damage. First, the authors develop a model for determining wind damage to vulnerable equipment. Second, they characterize the types of highway equipment and associated costs. Third, they evaluate trade-offs among upfront equipment upgrade costs and potential wind damage to equipment in reference to particular tropical cyclone scenarios. Considering the various consequences of five hurricane categories enables the decision maker an opportunity to understand the trade-offs and to invest in equipment consistent with individual needs and values of the agency. To demonstrate the method for this paper, the authors use a study area consisting of 209 km (130 mi) of interstate highways and 309 km (190 mi) of U.S. and state routes managed by the Virginia Dept. of Transportation (VDOT). This paper is of interest to emergency managers, regulators, transportation agencies, and others.