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- Desalination (8)
- Pavement (7)
- GIS (6)
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- Rutting (5)
- Air Quality (4)
- Concrete (4)
- Electrodialysis (4)
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- Modulus (4)
- Moisture Content (4)
- PM2.5 (4)
- Pavement Design (4)
- Reverse osmosis (4)
- Water (4)
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- Bridge (3)
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- Cracking (3)
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- Membranes (3)
- Mix Design (3)
- Overlay Tester (3)
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Articles 1 - 30 of 253
Full-Text Articles in Engineering
Sulfonated Polyethersulfone Membranes For Electrodialysis Desalination And The Influence Of Solvent Evaporation On Current Efficiency, Salinity Reduction, And Permselectivity, Li Chen
Open Access Theses & Dissertations
The high cost of ion exchange membranes significantly limits the public application of electrodialysis. The research of novel, inexpensive ion exchange membranes is essential to developing and applying electrodialysis desalination technology. This research focuses on fabricating cation exchange membranes with polyethersulfone (PES) and sulfonated PES (sPES) for water treatment. N-Methyl-2-Pyrrolidone (NMP) was used as an organic solvent to dissolve PES. After different solvent evaporation times were optimized from 0 hr to 24 hr, those membranes were formed through the phase inversion technique. The performance results show that the PES membranes performed the best when the solvent evaporated at 3 hr, …
Using Genetic Algorithm And Geographic Information System For Equity-Driven Transportation Planning And Analysis, Emiliano Del Rio Reyes
Using Genetic Algorithm And Geographic Information System For Equity-Driven Transportation Planning And Analysis, Emiliano Del Rio Reyes
Open Access Theses & Dissertations
Efforts to address equitable access in public transit planning have gained momentum, spurred by incentives for Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) and State Departments of Transportation (DOTs). However, traditional strategies often fall short of meeting the needs of disadvantaged communities, particularly in underserved areas. This study presents a pioneering methodology leveraging Genetic Algorithms (GA) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to optimize bus stop placement, aiming to enhance equitable access in public transit systems. Focusing on Route 16 of Sun Metro in El Paso, Texasâ??a critical feeder route linking the Westside Transit Center to Upper Valley neighborhoodsâ??the research commences with a comprehensive …
Routing Opportunities For Commercial Crossings Between El Paso And Juarez, Marek Musil
Routing Opportunities For Commercial Crossings Between El Paso And Juarez, Marek Musil
Open Access Theses & Dissertations
This thesis explores the topic of commercial movements between the El Paso and Ciudad Juarez road networks and the implications of the possible changes in their routing. This area houses several ports of entry, which present one of the busiest commercial and personal border crossings in the whole nation. The primary focus was to evaluate the recently proposed reconstruction scenario of removing trucks from the Bridge of the Americas and study the impacts on the flows throughout the other ports. The chosen tool to support the analysis is a mesoscopic simulation software called DynusT, which is capable of modeling the …
Smart Public Transportation And Mobility Hub Design In El Paso, Jiri Vojtisek
Smart Public Transportation And Mobility Hub Design In El Paso, Jiri Vojtisek
Open Access Theses & Dissertations
This thesis explores the potential of a Smart Public Transportation concept and mobility hub design as tools to mitigate the growing trend of transportation issues, such as traffic congestion, reliance on privately owned vehicles, or unattractive public transportation. Consequently, residentsâ?? lives are negatively affected by excessive noise, air pollution, and travel delays, leading to increased safety risks, lost productivity, and a lower quality of life. Considering these challenges, the study begins by analyzing the current state of public transportation in El Paso. Next, it introduces a toolkit from the Smart City concept, followed by case studies of best practices of …
Analysis Of Travel Behavior At International Border Crossings: Application Of Travel Surveys, Jennifer Areli Moreno Escamilla
Analysis Of Travel Behavior At International Border Crossings: Application Of Travel Surveys, Jennifer Areli Moreno Escamilla
Open Access Theses & Dissertations
Transportation planning provides an insight into the demand and traffic distribution of existingconditions of a region and helps identify future transportation needs. The results generated from forecasting models influence many decisions on the selection of transportation projects and funding allocations. Thus, forecasting models require up-to-date trip information to represent trip patterns and generate representative traffic demand analysis in a such complex areas as binational regions. The purpose of this study is to provide an analysis on travel survey methodology applied to collect trip information at international border crossings. Based on the results of the survey, an analysis on trip pattern …
Impact Of Clay Contamination On Rutting Performance Of Asphalt Mixes, Sharmila Afsha
Impact Of Clay Contamination On Rutting Performance Of Asphalt Mixes, Sharmila Afsha
Open Access Theses & Dissertations
Sustainability of asphalt mixtures can be improved by using natural sands. They can enhance workability and lower the amounts required for asphalt binder and manufactured fine aggregate of mixes. However, one of the primary concerns with incorporating natural sands in a mixture is clay contamination. Harmful clays are chemically active particles that swell when exposed to moisture and reduce the bond between aggregate and asphalt binder. As a result, this study explores the effect of clay contamination on the rutting and moisture susceptibility of asphalt mixes. Twenty-one clay combinations of material passing the 0.075 mm (#200) sieve were selected utilizing …
Rigid Pavement Analysis System (Rpas): An Enhanced Graphical User Interface, Samina Samrose
Rigid Pavement Analysis System (Rpas): An Enhanced Graphical User Interface, Samina Samrose
Open Access Theses & Dissertations
In recent decades there has been a significant interest among researchers in developing pavement analysis tools that will work with high efficiency and provide accurate results within a short timeframe. The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) has developed a finite element-based pavement analysis software named â??Rigid Pavement Analysis Systemâ?? (RPAS) capable of analyzing Jointed PCC pavements of any number of PCC and soil layers. The processing core of this software was developed in MATLAB with a pre- and post-processing user interface developed in C++. The MATLAB code is compiled into an executable and together with the C++ interface …
Biomass-Mediated Metastable Zinc(Ii) Oxide Nanoparticles And Its Nanocomposites For Sustainable Water Treatment, Kazi Afroza Sultana
Biomass-Mediated Metastable Zinc(Ii) Oxide Nanoparticles And Its Nanocomposites For Sustainable Water Treatment, Kazi Afroza Sultana
Open Access Theses & Dissertations
Water is undeniably the most crucial resource that allows all living entities to thrive and survive. Due to a continuously growing population and the expansion of industrial sectors, water pollution has emerged as a global issue. Consequently, people face challenges in obtaining the required quantity and quality of water for their daily activities such as drinking, cooking, hygiene, and agriculture. Hence, there is a compelling need to develop an effective and environmentally friendly approach to eliminate harmful pollutants in water, promoting the establishment of a sustainable society with widespread access to clean and safe water resources. Although there are a …
Performance Evaluation Of A Coupled Photovoltaic-Thermal Solar Powered Desalination Pilot System, Martin Chavarin
Performance Evaluation Of A Coupled Photovoltaic-Thermal Solar Powered Desalination Pilot System, Martin Chavarin
Open Access Theses & Dissertations
A pilot scale coupled photovoltaic-thermal solar powered desalination system was evaluated at the Brackish Groundwater National Desalination Research Facility (BGNDRF). The pilot system consisted of a 3-kW photovoltaic-thermal (PVT) solar panel array and a 2.3 kW photovoltaic (PV) array coupled with a 4 gal/min single-stage 4 membrane reverse osmosis (RO) desalination system. A heat exchange system was in place to provide simultaneous cooling for the PVT system and heating to the RO system feed water. This system was evaluated with three objectives in mind. The first objective was to identify whether cooling of the PVT panels resulted in a significant …
How Active Rainwater Harvesting May Help Reduce Nuisance Flooding: Flood Analysis And Social Barriers To Adoption, Isabel Lopez
How Active Rainwater Harvesting May Help Reduce Nuisance Flooding: Flood Analysis And Social Barriers To Adoption, Isabel Lopez
Open Access Theses & Dissertations
As urbanization continues to expand, fewer pervious surfaces are available to help reduce stormwater runoff from rainfall. The impacts of urbanization are becoming evident through sunny day flooding - flooding that occurs in areas not designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as flood zones. Nevertheless, water accumulates in low-lying areas and compromises street intersections and other parts of neighborhoods. Some methods can help alleviate the impacts of unexpected heavy rains, such as passive and active rainwater harvesting. As a pilot study, in a selected area in the northeast of El Paso, the level of adoption (e.g., what percentage …
Using Machine Learning And Distributed Hydrologic Modeling To Predict Soil Texture, Surface Soil Moisture And Evapotranspiration In Jornada Experimental Range, Southwestern U.S., Jorge Andres Mayo
Open Access Theses & Dissertations
In water-limited ecosystems, detailed knowledge of the soil, vegetation, and atmosphere interactions is critical to understand the processes that control the partitioning of energy, water fluxes, and biogeochemical cycles within the critical zone. This Master's thesis is divided into two main contributing sections. The first, is on the use of machine learning to reconstruct missing soil type information, and the second, on the calibration and validation of a physically-based distributed hydrological model to estimate soil moisture and evapotranspiration within the Jornada Experimental Range of the U.S. in southern New Mexico. For the first contribution, three explainable, shallow machine-learning techniques are …
Optimizing Laboratory Curing Conditions For Hot Mix Asphalt To Simulate Field Behavior, Benjamin Arras
Optimizing Laboratory Curing Conditions For Hot Mix Asphalt To Simulate Field Behavior, Benjamin Arras
Open Access Theses & Dissertations
The engineering properties of asphalt mixtures change with time. Shortly after placement, asphalt concrete (AC) layers are more susceptible to rutting. As the pavement ages, the AC layer becomes stiffer, brittle, and thus more susceptible to cracking. Current protocols provide guidelines for the selection of materials, the determination of the material proportions (e.g., aggregates and binder content), and the evaluation of the engineering properties (e.g., cracking and rutting potentials) of any given asphalt mix design. However, these protocols do not consider the impact of aging on the mixture. This study investigated existing and novel laboratory methods to determine protocols that …
Thermal Behavior Of Plain And Fiber-Reinforced Rigid Concrete Airfield Runways, Arash Karimi Pour
Thermal Behavior Of Plain And Fiber-Reinforced Rigid Concrete Airfield Runways, Arash Karimi Pour
Open Access Theses & Dissertations
The environmental condition and temperature gradient are important factors resulting in concrete airfield runways cracking during the time. Rigid concrete airfield runways experience different thermal gradients during the day and night due to changes in air temperature. Curling and thermal expansion stresses are the main consequences resulting in various types of cracking over the surface and thickness of concrete airfield runways and increasing maintenance costs. The curvature of concrete slabs increases with an increase in the temperature gradient which is amplified when runways open to traffic. Additionally, the combination of the curling and shrinkage stresses, in rare circumstances, can be …
Characterization And Modeling Of Unbound And Cementitiously Stabilized Materials For Structural Analysis Of Multilayer Pavement Systems, Edgar Daniel Rodriguez Velasquez
Characterization And Modeling Of Unbound And Cementitiously Stabilized Materials For Structural Analysis Of Multilayer Pavement Systems, Edgar Daniel Rodriguez Velasquez
Open Access Theses & Dissertations
The incorporation of cement for soil improvement is a sustainable solution for utilizing marginal materials in the construction of new pavements and the rehabilitation of existing roadway systems. To effectively design and assess the performance of pavement structures, it is crucial to determine the strength and resilient properties of cementitiously stabilized aggregates. Accurate determination of the Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS), tensile strength, and Resilient Modulus (Mr) is of utmost importance for thoroughly characterizing the structural capacity of pavement layers through a mechanistic approach.The tensile strength of stabilized materials can be assessed in a laboratory setting through the implementation of two …
A Multiple Model Approach To Bridge Deterioration Modeling, Jin A. Collins
A Multiple Model Approach To Bridge Deterioration Modeling, Jin A. Collins
Open Access Theses & Dissertations
Bridge Management Systems (BMSs) have been used to support decision-making in bridgeprojects, including maintenance, rehabilitation, and replacement under financial constraints. These decisions are predicated on the ability to estimate bridgesâ?? future condition states to optimize bridge network systems' performance. Deterioration models are commonly used tools to help transportation agencies make predictions of future condition states of infrastructure facilities, schedule capital investments, and make comparative decisions. Numerous deterioration models have been developed over the last few decades. In particular, Markov chain models utilize bridge data collected from the National Bridge Inventory (NBI) database to make predictions. The accuracy of predictions is …
An Approach For Verification Of Traffic Speed Deflectometer Measurements, Mahsa Beizaei
An Approach For Verification Of Traffic Speed Deflectometer Measurements, Mahsa Beizaei
Open Access Theses & Dissertations
Recent research studies have shown the usefulness and applicability of Traffic Speed Deflectometers (TSD) in support of the network-level pavement management process. There are, however, no accepted procedures for verification and validation of the TSD measurements to be utilized by practitioners. To address this need, TSD measurements may be verified with the data obtained by widely accepted road-testing equipment, Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD). In this study, TSD and FWD operations on pavement sections were simulated employing the finite layer approach which resulted in the development of a comprehensive database of pavement responses. Using the established numerical simulation database, theoretical relationships …
Sulfonated Styrene Grafted Sebs/Abs Made By Additive Manufacturing For Ion Exchange Applications, Avianna Elaine Gallegos
Sulfonated Styrene Grafted Sebs/Abs Made By Additive Manufacturing For Ion Exchange Applications, Avianna Elaine Gallegos
Open Access Theses & Dissertations
An interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) for cation exchange applications was synthesized from a blend of styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene (SEBS) and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), which was 3D printed, grafted with crosslinked polystyrene (PS), and sulfonated. A method for styrene grafting was applied to reduce the damage to polymer phases caused by the sulfonation reaction. Styrene and divinylbenzene monomers were introduced to the IPN and induced with heat treatment to polymerize in situ. The graft copolymerization reaction was enhanced with varying quantities of benzoyl peroxide as a chemical initiator. The samples were subsequently sulfonated with chlorosulfonic acid in dichloroethane and functionalized for ion …
Influence Evaluation On Near-Road Concentrations Of Pm2.5 During Covid-19 Pandemic, Marcos Alan Banda Morales
Influence Evaluation On Near-Road Concentrations Of Pm2.5 During Covid-19 Pandemic, Marcos Alan Banda Morales
Open Access Theses & Dissertations
SARS-CoV-2, also known as COVID-19, was discovered in Wuhan, China in late 2019and spread rapidly worldwide in 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic and its quarantine periods influenced the number of people using their vehicles and the number of miles traveled, which correspondingly influenced the air quality of urban areas. The influence of the restrictions caused by the quarantine period on air quality differs from location to location. Previous research accounted for countries, but no research was done at the state level individually. This research attempts to evaluate the transportation-related air quality during the COVID-19 pandemic period using data from the Texas …
Direct Potable Reuse Piloting: Optimizing Chloramination, Operationalizing Ultrafiltration, And Understanding Zero Liquid Discharge Options, Marcela Carolina Herrera
Direct Potable Reuse Piloting: Optimizing Chloramination, Operationalizing Ultrafiltration, And Understanding Zero Liquid Discharge Options, Marcela Carolina Herrera
Open Access Theses & Dissertations
A pilot study was deployed at the John T. Hickerson Water Reclamation facility to analyze the viability of high recovery direct potable water reuse (DPR), aiming for zero liquid discharge (ZLD). This pilot consists of a chloramination system and ultrafiltration (UF) as pretreatment for reserve osmosis (RO) followed by UV-peroxide, granular activated carbon (GAC), and concentrate-enhanced recovery reverse osmosis (CERRO). Stabilizing the chloramination and UF system was the first step to ensure efficiency during the downstream processes. The formation of monochloramine is essential for the mitigation of biofouling of the UF membranes. The formation of monochloramine occurs by specific liquid …
A Case Study In Design, Construction, And Operation Of A Meromictic Solar Pond In Texas, Usa, Bianca Paola Meneses Brassea
A Case Study In Design, Construction, And Operation Of A Meromictic Solar Pond In Texas, Usa, Bianca Paola Meneses Brassea
Open Access Theses & Dissertations
Over the last four decades, meromictic solar ponds have been the subject of limnological studies and engineering research. A case of practical interest is the salinity gradient solar pond (SGSP). SGSP science and technologies have been systemically advanced in El Paso, Texas. This dissertation aims to share lessons learned in designing, constructing, and operating the El Paso Solar Pond, a NaCl-based solar pond that achieved high-temperature performance over two decades, commencing in 1984. Many of the practical lessons learned have not been published and are thus not readily available in archival journals, and this contribution provides a remedy. The value …
Identifying Particulate Matter Spatial Variation In The El Paso Del Norte Region Using Land-Use Regression Modeling And Data Obtained From A Network Of Low-Cost Sensors, Leonardo Demetrio Vazquez-Raygoza
Identifying Particulate Matter Spatial Variation In The El Paso Del Norte Region Using Land-Use Regression Modeling And Data Obtained From A Network Of Low-Cost Sensors, Leonardo Demetrio Vazquez-Raygoza
Open Access Theses & Dissertations
The emergence and rise in popularity of low-cost sensors for atmospheric observation aresetting a new precedent in identifying emission hotspots and providing high-resolution spatial and temporal data. Furthermore, low-cost sensors are becoming popular among institutions and the public, allowing community scientists to become more involved in air quality monitoring. However, concerns about the accuracy and precision of low-cost sensors have been questioned. Most recent research has focused on the utility of real-time monitoring and calibration requirements for these sensors. A low-cost monitoring project has deployed sensors in the El Paso del Norte region in low and high annual average daily …
Continuous Moisture Measurement During Pavement Foundation Construction: Laboratory Measurements, Isaac Esteban Zuniga
Continuous Moisture Measurement During Pavement Foundation Construction: Laboratory Measurements, Isaac Esteban Zuniga
Open Access Theses & Dissertations
Moisture content directly affects all properties of subgrade materials. A rapid, continuous, and accurate technique to determine moisture content during subgrade construction is the next step needed to improve the mechanistic-based quality of pavement foundations. In this study, six geomaterials were compacted to standard/modified proctor specifications and subjected to laboratory measurements to study the variations in their electromagnetic and electric properties with moisture content. The relationships between the seismic modulus, unconfined compressive strength, lightweight deflectometer, and moisture content for the same geomaterials were also established. Large-scale replicate specimens were also compacted and subjected to numerous measurements. The dielectric constant measured …
Development Of Balanced Mix Design Quality Control Specifications Based On The Acceptance Limits Of Hma Performance Tests, Lucas Tameirao Abrantes
Development Of Balanced Mix Design Quality Control Specifications Based On The Acceptance Limits Of Hma Performance Tests, Lucas Tameirao Abrantes
Open Access Theses & Dissertations
With the augmented use of recycled materials, recycling agents, modified binders, andwarm mix asphalt additives, several highway agencies including the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), have considered methods to improve the durability and long-term performance of asphalt concrete (AC) mixes. The need for performance tests that could consistently evaluate the rutting and cracking potentials of AC mixes became crucial as the popularity of the Balanced Mix Design (BMD) concept has increased over the years. A concern now is related to the practicality of these tests for routine use in the process of quality control and quality assurance during the field …
A Comparable Analysis Of Civilian And Military Airfield Runway Design Procedures, Jacob Wessel
A Comparable Analysis Of Civilian And Military Airfield Runway Design Procedures, Jacob Wessel
Open Access Theses & Dissertations
In the United States there are two primary agencies that regulate, approve, and aid in airfield runway designs. These two agencies are the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Department of Defense (DOD), and they both have different design procedure for design and construction of their prospective airfield runways. It is important to have a closer look at the design procedures, the reliance of software and how these compare to each other. The primary objective of this research was to conduct a sensitivity analysis of the FAA and the DOD airfield design programs used to aid in the design of …
Reconstruction Of As-Built Civil Infrastructure Using Lidar To Support Digital Twin Visualization, Jose Luis Lugo
Reconstruction Of As-Built Civil Infrastructure Using Lidar To Support Digital Twin Visualization, Jose Luis Lugo
Open Access Theses & Dissertations
Digital twin (DT) technology is state-of-the-art for engineering processes using a virtual model of a physical system with near real-time data exchange (either fully or semi-automated) during the process (collection and feedback). The potential of DT for as-built civil infrastructure remains relatively unexplored. To achieve the expectation of a DT, three main capacities must be met: (1) accurate virtual twin of physical asset (2) continuous data acquisition and data management (3) automated or semi-automated decision making from the data exchange. The challenge addressed herein is to determine a feasible approach to create an accurate virtual model (efficiently) from light detection …
Equity Driven Data Analysis For Public Transportation Planning, Gerardo Ivan Valenzuela Mendoza
Equity Driven Data Analysis For Public Transportation Planning, Gerardo Ivan Valenzuela Mendoza
Open Access Theses & Dissertations
Existing public transportation planning methods use a trip-based approach rather than a user-based approach; a user-based approach is sensitive to a broader range of planning strategies and policies, especially those that affect or take into consideration how users spend their time and resources. Even though transportation planning agencies such as Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) are required to strive for environmental and social justice, there is still a gap that needs to be filled. Urban population growth and urbanization with its impact on public planning require continuous research to address the constantly evolving challenges when it comes to transportation. As cities …
Improving Efficiency At El Paso Water Canal Plant, Angel Bustamante
Improving Efficiency At El Paso Water Canal Plant, Angel Bustamante
Open Access Theses & Dissertations
AbstractThis project focused on the savings associated with filter backwash and rewash water at the Canal plant. Canal plant is a conventional surface water plant owned and operated by El Paso Water. Approximately 330,000 gallons of backwash water and 84,500 gallons of rewash water are lost daily during normal operational conditions. The combined 414,500 gallons of water are equivalent to 1.27 acre feet per day. During a full eight-month surface water season, this is 305 acre feet. With the goal of optimizing the plant, residuals waste streams can be recycled to the head of the treatment plant. However, there is …
Drying Of Digested Biosolids For Weight Reduction Prior To Disposal, Juan Manuel Canales
Drying Of Digested Biosolids For Weight Reduction Prior To Disposal, Juan Manuel Canales
Open Access Theses & Dissertations
Disposal of belt filter pressed digested sludge (known as biosolids) to landfills cost El Paso Water about $1.1 million in the past year. With an increasing population, the amount of influent wastewater to El Paso treatment plants will also increase, resulting in increased biosolids generation and biosolids disposal costs. A method for reducing biosolids transportation cost is biosolids drying.The cost that El Paso Water pays for transporting biosolids to a dedicated landfill facility is based on the weight of the biosolids that are carried. Biosolids collected from the belt filter presses is about fifteen percent solids by weight, with water …
Environmental Justice Issues And Sea Level Rise In Frontline Communties Along The Gulf Coast, Karla Michel Lopez
Environmental Justice Issues And Sea Level Rise In Frontline Communties Along The Gulf Coast, Karla Michel Lopez
Open Access Theses & Dissertations
Sea level rise poses a great threat to coastal areas and our way of life. As flooding increases in frequency and intensity across the country, vulnerable populations become a target to its impacts. The U.S. dedicates much research to risk communication and climate change adaptation strategies; however, these coastal areas are home to a large percentage of underserved and underrepresented communities that can be challenging to meaningfully engage. The impacts of short-term sea level rise combined with long-term sea level rise will not only cause flooding, erosion, and intrusion of saltwater into freshwater resources but also increased financial consequences, such …
Identification And Evaluation Of Critical Transportation Infrastructure Resilience After Hydro-Meteorological Event, Herman Serrato
Identification And Evaluation Of Critical Transportation Infrastructure Resilience After Hydro-Meteorological Event, Herman Serrato
Open Access Theses & Dissertations
Modern civilization is dependent on essential infrastructure assets that allow society to function in today’s standards. Critical interdependent infrastructure such as transportation, communication, security, and public health are marvels of human innovation and an important aspect of civilization's evolution. Recent world events such as climate change have underlined the necessity to develop strategic plans to enhance the resilience of infrastructure. This study aimed to identify and evaluate the flooding potential of critical transportation infrastructure that will influence traffic flow and impact the economy. The technical workflow is based on observations, predictions, experiments, testing, and analysis to derive a resilience score …