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Resiliency & Vulnerability Assessment

The Sarasota/Manatee MPO Resiliency & Vulnerability Assessment is a regionally-focused vulnerability and mitigation analysis that identifies vulnerable transportation infrastructure and cost-effective strategies to increase the transportation system’s resilience to storm surge, nuisance flooding, and wildfires.

In 2018, the Sarasota/Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) conducted an All-Hazards Recovery Workshop, leading to the creation of the Security Assessment Report. This report emphasized the importance of the MPO carefully considering and planning for potential challenges concerning regional assets and infrastructure as part of the long-term transportation plan.

In anticipation of the 2050 plan, the MPO launched a two-phase study that combines thorough planning with resilience. Phase I, completed in February 2023, thoroughly examined potential vulnerabilities in the region, identified critical transportation sites that need attention, and provided practical solutions. Phase II will further improve this list, and ensure the plan is both resilient and adaptable to various scenarios.

Phase II Overview

Phase II of the Resiliency/Vulnerability Assessment kicked off in the fall of 2023. It builds on the achievements of Phase I, and aims to enhance the list of top-priority projects, create specific plans to reduce or prevent damage to critical infrastructure and incorporate resilience into various aspects of the Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP), including the Cost Feasible Plan.

Furthermore, this study places a strong emphasis on close collaboration with regional resilience efforts led by FDOT District One, neighboring MPOs, the Sun Coast Transportation Planning Alliance (SCTPA), and regional planning councils. This partnership ensures that the assessment's findings and recommendations align with broader regional resilience initiatives.

The study included a survey that allowed local jurisdictions to share their experience and knowledge of hazard impacts on transportation infrastructure, desired projects, and existing/future work related to resilience. The feedback gathered from these outreach activities, along with the considerations of the RAP tier, has enabled the MPO to refine the priority list of projects and pinpoint the most critical needs related to resiliency. As a result, 18 key projects have been identified. The team presented data on exposure and specific characteristics for these 18 segments, along with proposed mitigation measures designed to address the specific hazards and vulnerabilities encountered by each.

The transportation facilities were catergorized into three tiers by assessing exposure and criticality.

Exposure refers to whether an asset or system is experiencing direct effects of extreme weather.

Criticality refers to how important an assest may be for economic and community viability.

Through stakeholder interviews and engagement, the list of tier 1 facilities were further refined to determine highest priority roadway segments. Following the stakeholder engagement, Transportation Resiliency Advisory Group (TRAG) were asked to review the refined list and select their three highest priority segments. This process resulted in identifying 18 high priority roadway segments and are organised based on where the segments ranked in FDOT Resiliency Action Plan (RAP) as in the image on the right.

Browse the Executive Summary by clicking on it below:

Click here to download the Resiliency and Vulnerability Assessment Phase II Final Report