Web services > Washington (State) > 2025-present

WSDOT - Climate Impact Vulnerability Assessment - Facility [Washington (State)]

WaTech Geospatial Program Office · 2025 Full Details

Georeferenced: false
Attribute Value
Click on map to inspect values

Full Details

Title
WSDOT - Climate Impact Vulnerability Assessment - Facility [Washington (State)]
Description
The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) developed this data set in fulfillment of a grant from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to test a conceptual climate risk assessment model developed for transportation infrastructure. WSDOT applied the model using scenario planning in a series of statewide workshops, using local experts, to create qualitative assessment of climate vulnerability on its assets in each region and mode across Washington. For the purposes of this statewide effort, managed assets were defined as sections of highway or railroad, and whole facilities (Ferry Terminal or Airport). Fourteen workshops engaged experts across all WSDOT regions, state ferries, rail, and aviation. The outcome of each workshop was a subjective evaluation of asset vulnerability agreed upon by participants. This feature class contains the results for WSDOT facilities. This study assumed 100% probability of climate change impacts previously identified in the University of Washington Climate Impacts Group's 2009 assessment. Types of impacts discussed in the workshops with local experts included: temperature changes, increase in extreme weather events, precipitation changes, sea level rise, fire risk, and high winds. The scientific community's understanding of climate impacts continues to evolve as the models and collective understanding of feedback systems improve. We do not have perfect information about exactly how, when, where, and to what magnitude climate changes will unfold in Washington State. After reviewing the extreme weather events and other impacts projected for their area, workshop participants defined sections of highway, rail, or specific facilities with consideration of the local geology, natural and constructed drainage and hydrology, elevation, slope, land use and operational maintenance issues. Once defined, each corridor or facility was then ranked for two variables: asset criticality and potential impact. Asset criticality (which was defined by the workshop participants) should not be confused with other measures such as highway functional class. Descriptions of potential impacts to the WSDOT facilities in this feature class were not rated for impact or criticality. 1) How critical is that site or corridor to overall transportation operations and public safety? The following scale guided the qualitative assessment of criticality: a. 1-3 = Low - facility/corridor with low daily traffic, available alternate routes, not part of the National Highway System b. 4-6 = Medium - facility/corridor has low to medium daily traffic, serves as an alternate route of other state corridors or facilities c. 7-10 = High - facility/corridor is an Interstate or other major highway, is considered a lifeline route or is the sole access to a population center or critical facility. 2) How might potential climate changes impact site or corridor operations? The following scale guided the assessment of climate impacts: a. 1-3 = Low - Reduced Capacity: facility/corridor partially open to use and full operations can be restored within 10 days b. 4-6 = Medium - Temporary Operational Failure: Facility/corridor closed for hours or days. Reopening or repair could be completed within 60 days. c. 7-10 = High - Complete Failure: facility/corridor likely to require major repair or rebuild with closures lasting more than 60 days. These qualitative rankings for impacts and asset criticality and some general descriptions were captured in spreadsheets that were later used to create GIS layers. This data is intended for use in statewide or regional planning and to assist in adapting maintenance and engineering policies and practices to protect our transportation infrastructure over the coming decades. The rankings here were based on our knowledge and understanding at the time of the study, and should only be taken as a best professional estimate for considering potential conditions that might put people or infrastructure at risk. Current information about projected climate changes and asset use and condition should always be taken into account, especially as time progresses.
Creator
Washington State Department Of Transportation (WSDOT), Climate Impacts Vulnerability Assessment Team
Publisher
WaTech Geospatial Program Office
Temporal Coverage
Last Modified: 2025-10-07
Date Issued
2017-12-21
Rights
For Planning use only. The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) shall not be liable for any activity involving the use of the data, including, but not limited to, lost profits or savings or any other economic or consequential damages. Nor does the WSDOT warrant the fitness of the data for use for a particular purpose, or the installation of the data, its use, or the results obtained. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Data User shall hold harmless, defend at its own expense, and indemnify WSDOT, its officers, employees, agents, and volunteers, against any and all liability, claims, losses, damages, or expenses, including reasonable attorney’s fees, arising from all acts or omissions of the Data User or its officers, agents, or employees in its use of the WSDOT data.
Access Rights
Public
Format
ArcGIS DynamicMapLayer
Language
English
Date Added
August 10, 2025
Provenance Statement
The metadata for this resource was last retrieved from State of Washington Geospatial Open Data Portal on 2025-11-04.

Links

Cite and Reference

  • Citation
    Washington State Department Of Transportation (WSDOT), Climate Impacts Vulnerability Assessment Team (2017). WSDOT - Climate Impact Vulnerability Assessment - Facility [Washington (State)]. WaTech Geospatial Program Office. https://geo.wa.gov/datasets/WSDOT::wsdot-climate-impact-vulnerability-assessment-facility (web service)
  • BTAA Geoportal Link

View more items like this one...

WSDOT - Climate Impact Vulnerability Assessment - Airport [Washington (State)]

2025

WSDOT - Climate Impact Vulnerability Assessment - State Routes [Washington (State)]

2025

WSDOT - Climate Impact Vulnerability Assessment - Ferry Terminal [Washington (State)]

2025

WSDOT - Climate Impact Vulnerability Assessment - Rail [Washington (State)]

2025

WSDOT - Freight Data Critical Urban and Rural Freight Corridors (NHFN) [Washington (Sta...

2025

WSDOT - Freight Data Primary Highway Freight System (NHFN) [Washington (State)]

2025

Washington State Local Agency Bridge Resiliency Assessment Data [Washington (State)]

2025

WSDOT - Wildlife Connectivity Full Highway System Rankings - Wildlife-Related Safety [W...

2025

WSDOT - Wildlife Connectivity Full Highway System Rankings - Ecological Value [Washingt...

2025

WSDOT - WA Habitat Connectivity Action Plan - Full Highway System Rankings - Wildlife-R...

2025