SWUTC Research Project Description

Title of Project:  Signing Guidelines for Flooding Conditions and Warrants for Flooded Conditions Detection Systems

Project Number: 0-6262

Principal Investigator:
Kevin Balke
(979) 845-9899
P.I. Affiliation:  Texas A&M University
k-balke@tamu.edu

Project Monitor:
Angie Ortegon
Texas Department of Transportation
(325) 947-9211
aortego@dot.state.tx.us

Project Status:  Active

Date Started:  9/1/08

Estimation Completion Date:  8/31/10

Estimated Cost - Current Fiscal:  $124,530

Estimated Cost - Total Planned:  $253,010

Project Summary:
Project Abstract:
In Texas, approximately eight flood-related fatalities occur each year – the majority of these (78.6 percent) involve motorists that are trapped in their vehicles or washed away. In many cases, victims, not wanting to take a lengthy detour, ignored barricades and tried to drive across a flooded street or low-water crossing – literally driving themselves into harms way. It takes as little as two feet of water to float most cars. Several districts in Texas have developed different signing strategies for warning motorists of low water crossings. As part of this research, Texas Transportation Institute ( TTI) will be developing guidelines and recommendations for creating signing uniformity for low water and flood-prone section of roadways. Signing guidelines will be created for the following situations: 1) the beginning of a roadway section that has several low water crossings where water flows over the roadway in wet conditions, 2) at the actual low water crossing, and 3) for temporary road closures due to high water. TTI will also develop criteria for when to implement active water level detection and advance warning systems at low water crossings and flood-prone roadway sections

Project Objectives:
The specific objectives of this research are as follows:

1. Develop typical signing layouts for providing static warning signs and devices associated with low-water crossings and flood-prone roadways. These typical layouts will identify the signs and devices that should be installed at the following locations and situations:
• At the beginning of a roadway section that has several low-water crossings where
  water routinely flows over the roadway during wet-weather events;
• At the actual low water crossing, and
• For temporarily closing the roadway during high water events.
2. Develop “warranting” guidelines for identifying and prioritizing when and where an active warning and detection system may be required at low-water crossing locations.

Task Descriptions:
Task 1. Conduct Inventory of Current Signing Practices with TxDOT and Texas Cities

Task 2. Assess State-of-the-Practice in Other States and Cities

Task 3. Conduct Assessment of Automated Flood Detection and Warning Systems

Task 4. Conduct Focus Group Assessment of Current Signing Practices

Task 5. Identify Candidate Signing Layouts for Low-Water Crossings and Flood-Prone Roadways

Task 6. Conduct Driver Comprehension Surveys

Task 7. Finalize Typical Signing Layout Sheets for Low-Water Crossing and Flood-Prone Roadways

Task 8. Develop "Warrant" Methodology for Determining When to Use Advanced Warning and Water Level Detection Systems

Task 9. Develop Deployment Guidelines for Active Warning and Water Level Detection Systems

Task 10. Document Research Findings

Index Terms:
Floods, Flood protection, Fatalities, Flash floods, Signs, Guidelines, Flood damage, Texas, Research projects