Climate change and growing urbanisation are increasing the risk of pluvial flooding, which can damage highway infrastructure and cause travel disruption. This research explores the development of a methodology to evaluate the future risk to highways from pluvial flooding. The methodology devised is for a model which combines the two elements of risk; the likelihood of occurrence and the severity of the consequences, to produce an overall rating for risk for a section of road. The likelihood index includes the level of exposure to intense rainfall events and factors affecting the sensitivity of the asset to flooding. The consequences index consists of the calculated user delay and a weighting factor relating to the strategic importance of the road link. The proposed model would calculate a risk rating for road sections which could then be mapped onto the road network highlighting the areas at most risk. This would aid highway authorities in prioritising drainage maintenance or upgrading. (Author/publisher)
Abstract