- Topic Submission
- Discussion & Evaluation
- Development
- Project
Bridges & Structures
Hydraulics, Hydrology, & Drainage
Information Technology
Mass & Public Transportation
Environment
Is this related to or a continuation of a previous Iowa DOT research project?
No
Does this idea include matching funds?
No
Anticipated Benefits
The tools currently available for decision makers and operational staff in charge with protecting the road infrastructure during floods are based on a collection of traditional modeling and analyses outcomes using static input data that is rarely validated with actual data. The capability to provide observation-based flood warnings connected to real-time data acquired during flood wave propagation are essential for enabling flood-defense agencies and the general public with actionable information that protect life and property, especially in rivers without modeled forecast points.
Besides providing an operational tool that will enable decision makers and road maintenance personnel during emergency to help flood response, preparedness, and planning activities. The developed framework will leverage the current capabilities of the BridgeWatch operational platform that has been developed and continuously improved by Iowa DOT over more than a decade. The new developments will be shared with the other states in the nation using the BridgeWatch technology.
Besides providing an operational tool that will enable decision makers and road maintenance personnel during emergency to help flood response, preparedness, and planning activities. The developed framework will leverage the current capabilities of the BridgeWatch operational platform that has been developed and continuously improved by Iowa DOT over more than a decade. The new developments will be shared with the other states in the nation using the BridgeWatch technology.
Focus Area
Safety / Technology
Research Program
SPR / 774: Research & Technology Transfer
Project Title
Actionable Flood Warnings Based on Ground-truth Data to Support Iowa DOT BridgeWatch Platform
Project Number
SPR-RE22(016)-8H-00
Contracted Agency
University of Iowa
Project Champion
Principal Investigator
Funding Program
State Planning and Research
Project Funding
$60,000
Project Funding Including External Sources
$60,000
Project Start Date
08/01/2022
Current Project End Date
02/29/2024
Project Abstract
The expectation of improved flood warnings has become critical for many agencies and communities at a time when flooding is increasingly severe and widespread. Formulation of flood warnings for a specific area entails three major steps: A) forecasting the flood hazards, B) delineation of the flood maps, and C) assessment of the threats to human safety and economic losses within the inundated areas. The first step is executed with hydraulic and hydrologic modeling assisted by direct measurements of various water cycle variables. The second and third steps entail specialized analyses applied to a variety of physiographic, built infrastructure, social, and economic data collected over large scales. Consequently, the reliability of flood warnings is directly dependent on the model skills and the quality of the input data for the modeling and specialized analyses involved. In general, flood warnings have a high degree of uncertainty.
Taking advantage on the unique resources available at the Iowa Flood Center (IFC), the present research idea is proposing an innovative path to significantly improve the flood-warning formulation (components B and C above) with focus on transportation infrastructure and resource allocation during flooding.
Specifically, the research initiated by this project aims at: a) Assessing the quality of the statewide floodplain mapping at selected bridges across the state (with and without BridgeWatch warnings) by using the High-Resolution Satellite-based Maps (HRSM) available from third-party sources. The validated floodplain maps can significantly increase the protection for the statewide road network against the and indirect adverse impacts, including the loss of access to essential services needed during flooding. b) Developing a long-term plan to extend the BridgeWatch functionality to all flood-prone Iowa bridges at ungagged sites. The extension of the BridgeWatch functionality includes the innovative use of the IFC bridge sensors data that will inform on floodplain mapping extent at ungagged sites via the HRSM-based datasets.
Taking advantage on the unique resources available at the Iowa Flood Center (IFC), the present research idea is proposing an innovative path to significantly improve the flood-warning formulation (components B and C above) with focus on transportation infrastructure and resource allocation during flooding.
Specifically, the research initiated by this project aims at: a) Assessing the quality of the statewide floodplain mapping at selected bridges across the state (with and without BridgeWatch warnings) by using the High-Resolution Satellite-based Maps (HRSM) available from third-party sources. The validated floodplain maps can significantly increase the protection for the statewide road network against the and indirect adverse impacts, including the loss of access to essential services needed during flooding. b) Developing a long-term plan to extend the BridgeWatch functionality to all flood-prone Iowa bridges at ungagged sites. The extension of the BridgeWatch functionality includes the innovative use of the IFC bridge sensors data that will inform on floodplain mapping extent at ungagged sites via the HRSM-based datasets.
Project Complete Date
02/29/2024
Final Report Abstract
The expectation of improved flood warnings has become critical for many agencies and communities at a time when flooding is increasingly severe and widespread. Formulation of flood warnings for a specific area entails three major steps: A) forecasting the flood hazards, B) delineation of the flood maps, and C) assessment of the threats to human safety and economic losses within the inundated areas. The first step is executed with hydraulic & hydrologic modeling assisted by direct measurements of various water cycle variables. The second and third steps entail specialized analyses applied to a variety of physiographic, built infrastructure, social, and economic data. Consequently, the reliability of flood warnings is directly dependent on the model skills and the quality of the input data for the modeling and specialized analyses involved. In general, flood warnings are highly uncertain. Taking advantage of the unique resources available at the Iowa Flood Center (IFC), the present research has developed an innovative path to improve the flood-warning formulation (steps B and C above) with focus on transportation infrastructure and resource allocation during flooding. Specifically, the research carried out through the present research tackled the following objectives: a) assessment of the quality of the statewide floodplain mapping at selected bridges across the state (with and without BridgeWatch warnings) by using the High-Resolution Satellite-based Maps (HRSM) available from third-party sources. The evaluation of the existing floodplain maps is an important step to gain confidence in streamflow forecasting on which the BridgeWatch warnings are based. b) Developing a long-term plan to extend the BridgeWatch functionality to all flood-prone Iowa bridges at ungagged sites based on the inferences obtained in step a) above. The extension of the BridgeWatch functionality includes the innovative use of the IFC bridge sensors data in conjunction with the streamflow forecasting protocols to inform on floodplain mapping extent at ungagged sites via the HRSM-based datasets. BridgeWatch functionality extension also entails addition of other functionalities that can significantly increase the protection for the statewide road network against the direct and indirect adverse impacts, including the loss of access to essential services during flooding.
Transportation Research Board - Transportation Research Information (TRID) Database Page
Project Champion
Technical Advisory Committee
Project Manager
Delivering targeted solutions for Iowa's transportation future.
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