Highly Influential Scientific Disseminations

DOT OA:

FHWA’s Office of Planning, Environment, and Realty, Office of Natural and Human Environment

Preliminary Title:

Impacts of Climate Variability and Change on Transportation Systems and Infrastructure – Gulf Coast Study

Subject and Purpose:

a. Topic:  Risks and sensitivities of transportation infrastructure to climate variability and change in the central U.S. Gulf Coast.

b. Specific issues:  Assessment of effects of climate variability and change on transportation facilities, operations, and plans; options for adaptation.

c. Broad Goals:

i. Develop knowledge about the potential impacts of climate change / variability on Gulf Coast transportation

ii. Assess the significance of these risks to transportation decision-makers

iii. Develop a methodological approach that can be applied elsewhere

iv. Identify strategies for adaptation

v. Develop decision-support tools to assist transportation decision-makers

d. Potential Public Benefits:

i. A sound transportation system is vital to the nation’s social and economic future.  Incorporating relevant information regarding climate variability and change into transportation decisions will help to ensure a reliable and robust future transportation network to support the public welfare.

Is this dissemination likely to be

(check one)

 X

Highly influential scientific information
 

Influential scientific information

Peer Review Plan: 

The preliminary peer review plan is as follows:

1) The peer review process is tentatively planned for May-December 2006

2) Peer review will be conducted by a selected group of independent reviewers who will submit written comments. 

3) We plan to give the public an opportunity to comment after the peer review process is complete.

4) At this point we plan to provide any substantive comments from the public to the peer review team after the peer review process is complete.

5) The number of reviewers will be determined by DOT and U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).  Between 4-10 reviewers are anticipated.

6) A range of expertise will be required for review of this interdisciplinary study.   The following is a preliminary list of relevant disciplines:

  • Climate change science and impacts assessment
  • Meteorology
  • Hydrology
  • Risk assessment and vulnerability analysis
  • Transportation planning
  • Transportation engineering and

7) The reviewers will be selected by the project sponsors, the DOT, and the USGS, in consultation with the research team, the Expert Panel, and the CCSP Agency Principal Representatives. 

8) The public will be invited to recommend peer reviewers through a public notice.

Contact person:

Name

Michael Savonis, FHWA

Virginia Burkett, USGS

E-mail:

Michael.Savonis@fhwa.dot.gov

Virginia.Burkett@usgs.gov

Phone:

Michael Savonis: 202-366-2080

Virginia Burket:  337-266-8500