Qualitative Assessment of Vulnerability to Climate Change

Abstract

The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) is completing an ongoing assessment to improve its understanding of the vulnerability of state-owned infrastructure to climate change and changing precipitation patterns. Modelling and data-related assessments are currently under development that will identify vulnerabilities and will allow MnDOT to improve future planning and maintenance strategies. To supplement these quantitative methods, MnDOT sought to collect insight and perspectives from field personnel. MnDOT’s Office of Sustainability and Public Health (OSPH) recruited a graduate team from the Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota to complete this assessment in four steps: 1. Conduct background research on relevant case studies 2. Develop a replicable approach to collect field personnel perspectives 3. Pilot this outreach approach in a single district and analyze results 4. Provide recommendations for future iterations in other districts