Authors: Faezeh Maghsoodifar – The University of Alabama
Title: Establishing a Flood Threshold-Based Framework for Resilient Coastal Transportation Infrastructure
Presentation Type: Poster
Abstract: Coastal transportation infrastructure faces increasing vulnerability to extreme weather events. The Mobile Bay Causeway in Alabama represents a critical route highly susceptible to flood closures. This study presents a framework evaluating the Causeway’s operational performance during floods by integrating hydrodynamic modeling with closure data. We developed a high-resolution Delft3D-FM model simulating inundation during recent extreme events. Model results were validated against observed water levels and analyzed with Alabama Department of Transportation closure records, enabling spatial assessment of road performance during flooding periods. Closure thresholds were established based on roadway elevation, water depth, flow velocity, and vehicle clearance values. These thresholds evaluate functional vulnerability defined as usability loss when inundation exceeds critical depths. Results show flood exposure, closure frequency, and vulnerability vary significantly across the corridor, highlighting areas most susceptible to disruption. Establishing these thresholds is essential for resilience-focused transportation planning, supporting both immediate response and long-term adaptation of critical coastal infrastructure.