Leveraging data to strengthen climate risk assessments

By utilizing advancements in available data, agencies can transform their approaches to mitigating natural hazards and climate risks.

Transportation agencies are now poised to enhance their climate risk assessments, due to the influx of abundant data and evolving technology. Increased computing power and improved analytics enable agencies to analyze risks with unprecedented accuracy and prioritize mitigation strategies effectively. The outcome is more precise, science-based assessments that are tailored to specific jurisdictions and assets. This shift not only provides a robust foundation for understanding systems’ susceptibility to natural hazards and climate impacts, such as floods and wildland fires, but also equips agencies with customized, actionable steps to mitigate these risks.

Traditionally, risk assessments relied on broad formulas to evaluate potential hazards and their impacts on transportation systems as a whole. However, the new data-informed approach offers detailed insights, allowing for more sophisticated and flexible assessments. This evolution in risk assessment methodology ensures that transportation agencies can better protect their infrastructure and communities from the increasing threats posed by climate change.

How data makes a difference

High-quality risk assessments require high-quality data, and recent advancements have transformed the data landscape for transportation agencies.

Instead of relying on broad weather data from large regions, agencies can now access granular climate data from various jurisdiction types. This includes not only national data provided by government agencies but also localized data developed by states, towns and universities. This detailed information allows for a more nuanced understanding of how climate factors may evolve and impact specific areas and assets within a transportation system.

With access to more comprehensive data, agencies have the opportunity to develop more accurate and actionable risk assessments. These enhanced assessments present the ability to  identify specific vulnerabilities within infrastructure systems and implement targeted strategies to mitigate potential impacts. This data-informed approach enhances the protection of critical assets and ensures the resilience of transportation networks.

Embracing this environment of robust and rich data can be eased by investing in advanced analytics and computing capabilities. Collaborating with local universities and leveraging state and national resources could be a beneficial approach to harnessing the full potential of available data. By integrating these insights into their risk assessment processes, agencies can make more informed decisions that enhance their preparedness for natural hazards and climate-related events.

Turning data into action

Leveraging the high volume of available data, the new approach to risk assessments can deploy geoanalytics and data science techniques to develop actionable solutions for agencies facing natural hazards and climate risks. This approach offers advantages by providing more accurate, localized and actionable insights than traditional assessments.

For example, using advanced assessment tools, a large transit agency can develop a sophisticated scoring methodology to evaluate its region’s exposure to natural hazards. This methodology allows the agency to examine various critical parameters, such as the cost of replacing an asset or the time required to restore an asset after damage. Additionally, the assessment can incorporate environmental justice considerations for those living near affected assets, ensuring that the needs of vulnerable communities are factored into the decision-making process.

Enhanced risk assessments also leverage geospatial tools, enabling agencies to analyze assets at a granular level — by neighborhood, agency, capital funding, immediate needs and historical exposure. This detailed analysis allows for a more comprehensive understanding of the risks and criticality across different areas, facilitating targeted and effective mitigation strategies.

By prioritizing evidence-based approaches, enhanced risk assessments empower agencies to make informed decisions, increasing their preparedness and adaptive capacity. This data-driven methodology not only improves the agency’s ability to protect critical infrastructure but also strengthens community resilience by ensuring that all populations, especially the most vulnerable, are considered in the planning and response efforts.

Flexibility to meet agency needs

Access to robust data and new computing power supports the development of highly flexible risk assessments that can be tailored to reflect the wide range of potential agency needs. Given that agencies can vary widely in size and scope, these assessments are designed to support each agency as it builds institutional capacity and prioritizes the hazards of greatest concern.

Agencies face a diverse array of climate-related hazards, from extreme weather events to sea level rise. Enhanced risk assessments prioritize these hazards based on their specific concerns. By focusing on the most relevant risks, agencies can allocate resources more effectively and develop targeted mitigation and adaptation strategies. For example, hazards can be scored on a regional, land system basis, with coastal communities facing coastal erosion, flooding and gales, while non-coastal regions might use different scoring criteria.

What’s ahead?

As more data becomes available and technology continues to evolve, the approach to developing risk assessments will continue to progress.

The growing number of science-based tools and data sources continues to enhance assessments and deliver needed flexibility to risk assessments. The new approach to risk assessments can help agencies fully understand their risks and develop effective, actionable steps for mitigation.