UTC 2022 Funding - Cycle 1 Research Projects

Project No.: CY1-OU-01
Title: Assessing Transportation Infrastructure and Community Vulnerability to Increased Flooding Risk in Tribal Lands
Performing Institution: University of Oklahoma and Otoe Missouria Oklahoma Tribe
Principal Investigator: Yang Hong, Farina King, and Theresa Tsoodle, University of Oklahoma; James LeClair, Otoe Missouria Oklahoma Tribe
Start and Anticipated Completion Dates:
Project Description: The resilience and vulnerability of the nation’s transportation and infrastructure to extreme weather under changing weather patterns is in critical need of further research. In particular, the South-Central US (Region 6 including Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas) has new challenges each year to combat extreme weather events. Previous building standards, codes, and practices of transportation that were established based on the FEMA 100-year floodplain, without considering the new climatic trends, are outdated and not prepared to meet the emerging natural challenges predicted in the future. Therefore, there is an urgent research need for updating civil infrastructure design criteria for better adaptation and finding sustainable solutions for the future. Flooding, which is a major risk, is projected to increase in frequency and severity. Assessing transportation vulnerability to flooding will enable targeted adaptation efforts. A resilient floodplain map can serve as a basis for city planning. In this study, the research team will develop a future floodplain map that considers environmental impact and is forced by the RCP (Representative Concentration Pathway) 8.5 scenario, known as the business-as-usual scenario.
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