Comments:

There is documented need for this manual as proposed by the TRB Resilience Metrics Consensus Study. This is a well-scoped program including multiple projects which would feed into the development of the proposed manual. The proposed program is scoped in phases over 7 years, (Phase 1: $3.5 million over 3 years, Phase 2: $2 million over 2 years, Phase 3: $1.5 million over 2 years). This is a significant undertaking, as the problem statement authors acknowledge.  Typically, the individual research projects that contribute content to a manual are completed before assembly of the manual occurs.  A governance structure that supports the efforts of individual NCHRP panels should be considered, with sustained participation by AASHTO and FHWA to last over 5-7 years.  Development of software tools should be contingent on hosting and maintenance by AASHTO before development work commences, and the host should be involved in development.  All of this effort is appropriate for NCHRP, but there are significant institutional and operational details to be worked out.  .More definition of the individual projects is needed to determine the appropriate level of funding per project and therefore for the overall effort. The extent to which individual/component research projects can occur in tandem will impact the speed at which a manual can be produced.  This will all likely take longer than suggested.

Review Date:
12/17/2021