Developing a Highway Framework to Conduct an All-Hazards Risk and Resilience Analysis (2023)

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27   Research Outputs, Recommendations, and Next Steps This chapter summarizes the outputs of NCHRP Project 23-09, recommendations for future research, and next steps. 7.1 Research Outputs In addition to this research report, other outputs of this research include the following: • Implementation and Communications Plan. The plan recommends actions for dissemi- nating and promoting the research products of NCHRP Project 23-09. The plan describes channels, venues, and professional organizations that will potentially assist in sharing and marketing the research products. The plan is available on the National Academies Press website (nap.nationalacademies.org) by searching for NCHRP Research Report 1014. • Communications Material. The communications material is designed to support the imple- mentation and communications plan. It includes a flyer and a PowerPoint presentation. The flyer concisely presents the importance of the development and implementation of a Highway Risk and Resilience (R&R) Manual. The set of presentation slides provides an overview of the project and can be used to advertise the results of NCHRP Project 23-09. The presentation is also available on the National Academies Press website (nap.nationalacademies.org) by searching for NCHRP Research Report 1014. 7.2 Findings and Recommendations For additional research to be useful for transportation agencies, it should contain actionable findings and recommendations. Analytical risk assessment methods to support risk-based asset management processes are the best approach to support an all-hazards risk and resilience analysis for the highway system. The research team made actionable recommendations using the four major roadmap themes and created the RPSs to address the following: • Organizational Development, Outreach, and Implementation. Identity organizational development to start creating the framework as well as all the outreach and communication strategies and tasks for producing the framework. In addition, it will also include the imple- mentation strategies for the successful adoption of the framework. • Risk and Resilience Assessment Processes. Develop processes to identify the most critical highway infrastructure and threats to their system, assess the vulnerability of their system, and conduct a complete risk and resilience analysis. In addition, transportation agencies need a comprehensive data collection plan to compile threat, asset, and event data to support and validate their risk and resilience assessments. C H A P T E R 7

28 Developing a Highway Framework to Conduct an All-Hazards Risk and Resilience Analysis • Technology and Tools. Identify or establish the appropriate tools, required level of training or expertise, data needed, and available data sources required to implement the Highway Risk and Resilience (R&R) Manual. • Technical Capacity Building. Build and maintain a robust risk and resilience program. Trans- portation agencies need adequate funding, training, guidance, and support from leadership. 7.3 Opportunities for Implementation The research will likely be most helpful to agencies that need to adopt a Highway Risk and Resilience (R&R) Manual to conduct an all-hazards risk and resilience assessment. These opportu- nities may include the following: • Development of RPSs that will address the types of activities needed to support the develop- ment and adoption of an all-hazards risk and resilience analysis. These have been included in this report and should be considered for funding moving forward. This also includes the prioritization and customization of specific needs within the transportation community, due to agency maturity or other needs. • Development of an outreach plan that describes channels, venues, and professional orga- nizations that will potentially assist in sharing and marketing the research products, which include the summaries of the industry workshop, recommendations, and RPSs. The following should be considered: – AASHTO Committees. The AASHTO structure is such that it affects and supports all state DOTs. The committees within AASHTO can effectively garner support to move these RPSs forward. The team recommends enhancing collaboration with the following AASHTO committees and subcommittees: (1) Committee on Performance-Based Management (CPBM), (2) Subcommittee on Risk Management, and (3) Committee on Transportation System Security and Resilience (CTSSR). There are other committees and councils within AASHTO that could benefit from this research, such as the Committee on Planning as well as the Highways and Streets Council. – TRB Committees. TRB comprises many standing committees within its Technical Activi- ties Division that are interested in and support research on the topic of resiliency. TRB com- mittees consist of academia, consultants, government officials, and other transportation professionals. The team recommends that the following TRB standing committees share the findings of this research: ◾ AEP10 – Transportation Planning Policy and Processes ◾ AJE30 – Transportation Asset Management ◾ AJE20 – Performance Management ◾ AJE10 – Strategic Management ◾ AMR10 – Critical Transportation Infrastructure Protection ◾ AMR20 – Disaster Response, Emergency Evacuations, and Business Continuity ◾ AMR50 – Extreme Weather and Climate Change Adaptation – State DOTs. Each state DOT has interested staff and teams focused on resiliency. The products and results from this research should be forwarded to each state DOT for further consideration. • Development of a communications plan that describes goals, objectives, target audience, channels, tools, and key themes to explain the value of research products. – Within the communications plan, various types of communication methods, such as news- letters, podcasts, and other media, are crucial to sharing the information that was gathered during this research. • Development and dissemination of the final research roadmap to advance the preparedness of the transportation sector for emerging threats and increase the resilience of the transportation system.

Research Outputs, Recommendations, and Next Steps 29 Research that builds on NCHRP Project 23-09 speaks to both the actionable findings of this project and an agency’s most effective implementation opportunities. The RPSs identified in this research project should be contemplated moving forward and are organized into four categories: • Time-Sensitive. These concepts may be useful for the upcoming NCHRP round and as such may need to be submitted in 2023. • Sequence Needed for Success. These concepts build directly from the findings of this research and have similar approaches and lines of inquiry. • High-Value Assistance. These concepts were suggested or inspired by participants in NCHRP Project 23-09 workshops as well as the project panel and could bring significant benefits to agencies in the areas discussed in this work. • Ongoing Efforts. These concepts build upon prior or current research efforts that relate to the areas discussed in this work. 7.4 Next Steps The research team recommends the next steps: • Present the Glossary of Terms for AASHTO to consider adopting. • Confirm AASHTO support of RPSs. • Identify champions (within the AASHTO committee structure) and map out the sequence for necessary funding through NCHRP or other funding sources. • Create a team or task force that initiates the implementation and communications plan and continues to elevate it until all RPSs are underway. Adoption of the research roadmap and development of the RPSs in this report would be excellent next steps in the development and implementation of the Highway Risk and Resilience (R&R) Manual.