This course examines the tools for vulnerability assessments of coastal transportation infrastructure. This course focuses on storm damage mechanisms and adaptation approaches for coastal transportation infrastructure. The main theme of this course is on quantifying exposure to sea level rise, storm surge, and wave action. This course is based on Highways in the Coastal Environment: Assessing Extreme Events, FHWA-NHI-14-006, Chapters 1 through 3.

After completing this course, the learner will have a better understanding about the methods for assessing exposure of coastal transportation facilities reference to climatic change, as well as an understanding of the following topics: 

• Damaging processes of extreme coastal events
• Projections for sea level rise
• Numerical models of critical coastal processes
• Vulnerability assessment for coastal highways
• Tunnel and road damage by waves on surge