Background

Transportation Asset Management (TAM) approaches have been instrumental in maintaining and improving the performance of transportation systems. Over the years, state departments of transportation (DOTs) and decision-makers have benefited from a large body of knowledge generated and disseminated by peer agencies and have generated refined approaches to managing their transportation systems. However, the effects of recent changes observed in external conditions may require re-orienting the strategic goals of these TAM implementations.

State DOTs are seeking to address a wider range of enterprise goals in their TAM programs, including those related to mobility and resilience. Agencies experiencing flooding, changes to land use, deterioration of stormwater infrastructure, and extreme weather increase the risks associated with inundation of transportation infrastructure, bridge scours, and premature pavement failures. Rural areas can also be impacted by the lack of redundancy, impacting their connectivity to markets and other destinations. To further complicate this situation, growing travel demand, combined with a need to minimize disruptions for users, intensifies the pressure on state DOTs to proactively adapt.

The objective of this research is to develop a strategic framework and actionable guidance that state DOTs can use to integrate resilience and mobility considerations into their planning and programming processes. This framework will support state DOTs in prioritizing investments, optimizing resource allocation, and making informed decisions that reflect both current and future needs. Ultimately, this project will support state DOTs’ efforts to build a transportation system that is resilient, accessible, and well-positioned to serve the public in a rapidly changing environment.