Transportation

Building a Stronger Oklahoma: WSB’s Commitment to Innovation and Community

June 3, 2025

By: Rick Johnson, Vice President of Operations, WSB & Brandon Claborn, Vice President, Environmental, WSB

Oklahoma is a land of resilience, progress, and opportunity—values that align perfectly with WSB’s vision for the future. As a national firm with a deep local presence, we are here not just to work on projects. Instead, we aim to actively shape the landscape of infrastructure and innovation in the state, especially with WSB Oklahoma.

Our journey into Oklahoma was intentional and strategic. Through the acquisition of key firms deeply rooted in the local market, we have been able to integrate their expertise, relationships, and community-driven insights into our broader national vision. This wasn’t simply an expansion—it was an investment in people, in progress, and in the infrastructure that fuels growth managed by WSB Oklahoma.

With nearly 200 dedicated professionals now serving Oklahoma, our multidisciplinary approach ensures we can meet the diverse needs of communities. Whether in government, commercial, or energy markets, we bring together expertise in engineering, environmental, planning, and construction. We deliver comprehensive solutions tailored to the challenges and opportunities unique to the region at WSB Oklahoma.

Infrastructure is more than roads and bridges—it is the backbone of thriving communities. At WSB, we recognize that resilient transportation networks, sustainable water management systems, stormwater & floodplain studies, and forward-thinking design are essential to long-term prosperity. We don’t just build; we innovate. Our commitment to cutting-edge technology is transforming how projects are delivered, and it improves efficiency, sustainability, and impact as facilitated by WSB Oklahoma.

Collaboration is at the core of our approach. We partner with state and local governments, businesses, and community leaders to build a future that is both sustainable and vibrant. Whether expanding a roadway, enhancing water systems, mitigating flood risk, or developing smart city initiatives, we remain focused on delivering solutions that matter. Contributions from WSB Oklahoma play a vital role in these efforts.

Oklahoma’s infrastructure needs continue to grow, and WSB is prepared to meet those demands. Our expansion in the state reflects our belief in its potential—both in available talent and in the opportunity to create meaningful advancements. While the brands EST, Meshek & Associates, and Craig & Keithline are now integrated into WSB, the technical excellence and deep expertise of our team remain unchanged. What has evolved is the access to a broader bench of talent and resources at WSB Oklahoma, which reinforces our ability to support infrastructure needs at every level.

As we look ahead, our commitment to Oklahoma and all the regions we serve remains unwavering. We are not just building infrastructure; we are building the future. By combining local knowledge with national expertise, we create lasting impact and foster growth. We are reimagining how infrastructure is delivered, spearheaded by WSB Oklahoma.

Together, we are building what’s next in infrastructure.

Innovative Deicing Solutions: The Benefits of Using Beet Juice for City Roads

February 27, 2025
By: Matias Mendez, P.E., Ph.D., Director, Geotechnical and Pavement Services, WSB

The use of salt as a deicing agent on roads has been a common practice for decades. However, it comes with significant drawbacks that cannot be overlooked. The corrosive nature of salt contributes to the deterioration of infrastructure such as bridges and roads, and vehicles, causing costly repairs and replacements. The runoff of salt after winter weather can have detrimental effects on the environment too, affecting vegetation, aquatic ecosystems, and wildlife. Rock salt has also proven to be less effective in single digit temperatures, or when temperatures dip below zero degrees. With these concerns in mind, city governments are increasingly exploring alternative solutions to ensure road safety during winter months.

One promising alternative is the use of beet juice, derived from the sugar beet. Increasingly recognized for its eco-friendly properties, beet juice significantly improves the efficacy of ice melting solutions when mixed with brine. The sugars in beet juice lower the freezing point of water more effectively than salt alone, allowing it to work even at lower temperatures. Its viscous nature helps the brine adhere better to road surfaces, reducing the need for frequent applications.

There are several advantages to using beet juice for deicing. Beet Juice is less corrosive than salt, aiding in the resiliency of city infrastructure such as bridges and roads. The use of beet juice in a deicer provides a range of benefits that make it a compelling alternative to the standard salt brine. While both methods are effective at melting ice, beet juice’s lower environmental impact and reduced infrastructure damage, paired with the enhanced performance in lower temperatures provide a strong case for its adoption and helps ensure safer roads even in the most severe winter conditions.

For city staff seeking proficient management of all aspects of road maintenance, WSB offers expert assistance and comprehensive pavement management planning. Our experienced team can help municipalities with deicing strategies, road repairs, and long-term infrastructure planning. With WSB’s support, cities can ensure their roads remain safe, functional, and sustainable throughout the winter months and beyond. Contact WSB today to learn more about optimizing your city’s road maintenance program.

Funding for Transportation Projects – Lessons Learned

September 16, 2024
By Mary Gute, Sr Transportation Planner, WSB

It’s been almost 3 years since the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), aka Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) was passed by President Biden in November 2021. The law authorized $1.2 trillion for transportation and infrastructure spending between 2022 – 2026.

Since 2021, there have been multiple solicitations for federal programs delivering transportation infrastructure funding. Several things have become apparent to those who’ve applied or considered applying for these funds, including:

• Extensive competition for funds. Many times more dollars are requested than are available and only a small fraction of applications are funded.
• Completing applications is complicated, time intensive, and requires specialized skill sets (e.g., ability to complete benefit/cost analyses that comply with federal guidance). Time intensive for staff or a consultant to do the work.
• Timelines to develop applications are tight; usually just 30-90 days after notifications of funding opportunities are released.

Given this reality, it is important to go into pursuit of IIJA funds with eyes wide open. Below are some ideas for venturing into IIJA funding or if you’re planning to re-submit a previously unsuccessful application.

Does your project align with program goals? In addition to criteria related to state of good repair and safety, these transportation funding programs include criteria related equity and environmental justice; climate change, resilience, and the environment, and economic impacts and job creation. Even top tier projects won’t be funded if it doesn’t score well against the majority of a program’s merit or project outcome criteria.

If your project, as it now stands, won’t score well on some of these criteria, is it possible to make adjustments for a more competitive application? Can your community commit to using more sustainable building materials that would align with environmental criteria? Is it possible to incorporate more elements that could be used by bicyclists or pedestrians? Or would it be possible to commit to hiring a certain percentage of disadvantaged business enterprises when constructing the project? Please be aware that if your application includes these elements and you receive funding, your agency will be expected to include them when developing and constructing the project.

Does your project have a defensible and high Benefit- to Cost Ratio? Many projects struggle with achieving a competitive benefit to cost ratio that withstands the scrutiny of federal reviewers. Often, submitted benefit cost analyses are adjusted downwards after being submitted. It’s imperative that applicants submit projects with defensible and high ratios (at least 1:5). If your project isn’t meeting these metrics, can it be adjusted to remove some project elements that are not helping the ratio, but are driving up the cost?

Are you waiting to submit your project until closer to 2026? If so, know that solicitations for some programs are now coming out for multiple years at a time. This means that even though we’re not even half-way through the law’s 5-year timeframe, some programs will have just 1-2 additional solicitations. It is also worth noting that available funding for some programs is considerably less than initial solicitations.
The IIJA program provides local communities with funding to complete important infrastructure projects. However, as we’ve learned, it can take considerable time and resources to develop a competitive application. Deciding to pursue these funds should be done so with realistic expectations and sound strategies.

WSB has experts in project funding to help you evaluate and submit applications. If you’d like to discuss project funding needs, please contact Amber Adams or Mary Gute for transportation specific projects.

Sustainable Road Design with Federal Funding

September 16, 2024
By Derek Schmidt, Sr Project Manager, WSB

Once in a lifetime federal funding is providing once in a lifetime opportunities for sustainable road design projects across the country. With passage of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and Infrastructure and Jobs Act (IIJA), now is the time for counties, cities and transportation agencies to redesign and redevelop deteriorating roads and bridges to meet sustainability goals. The IIJA is providing $550 billion in new infrastructure investment through 2026 and another $5 billion from the IRA.

However, in order to capitalize on these historic investments, new infrastructure projects need to be designed and constructed with environmental sustainability top of mind. For example, new projects need to ensure they meet standards that may have not existed when the original road or bridge was built like accommodating animal habitats or minimizing pollutants from transportation.

With that in mind, here are some ways counties, cities and transportation agencies can make their roads and bridges projects more sustainable and take advantage of increased federal funding.

Project Sustainability Scoring

To ensure a project qualifies for federal funding, it must be scored. Stronger scores give a project a greater chance at receiving funding.

The available grants also have strict requirements that must be adhered to. For instance, the IRA is providing $3.2 billion for projects that improve walkability, so transit improvements like bike lanes and pedestrian paths have a greater opportunity to secure funding that align with those funding goals. Other ways to achieve stronger scores include using locally available building materials to cut down transportation distances which lowers costs and limits vehicle pollution.

Decreasing Costs and Environmental Impacts

Not only is accounting for environmental impacts a way to improve the odds of securing federal grant fundings, but also a way to decrease overall costs. For example, projects can achieve greater sustainability by reducing transportation distances, using local landfills for waste and using locally available materials like sand. Reducing distances and trips not only cuts down costs but lowers vehicle pollution and a project’s footprint.

Rethinking sustainable road design can also create more environmentally friendly options that better meet community needs. The curb to curb spacing in older, rural roadways, for example, tend to be unnecessarily long. A redeveloped road with a space of 80 feet from curb to curb can be cut down to only 40 feet with the inclusion of expanded green space. This will reduce the overall pavement area, create a road that better fits the demands of the community and increase the overall green space. Ensuring roadways are designed and built to meet traffic needs and improve sustainability features cut down pavement costs and improve a project’s sustainability.

How WSB Can Help

WSB’s team of experts can help your community or agency navigate the influx of federal funding and help secure funding for your sustainable transportation project. With the use of new technology like multidimensional modeling and design, communities and transportation agencies have all the data they need at their fingertips. WSB helps communities and transportation agencies find the best possible design, leverage federal funding opportunities, improve traffic flow, increase the wellbeing of residents and protect the environment one roadway at a time.

It’s time to let this marketing relic die

By moving beyond outdated tools, we can foster more meaningful connections, better demonstrate our capabilities, and evolve with the needs of our clients.

October 3, 2024
By Val Brennan, Director of Marketing, WSB

Published by Zweig in the September issue of The Zweig Letter. TZL 1552 (web) (flippingbook.com)

In the dynamic realm of the architecture, engineering, and construction industry, marketing strategies are pivotal for securing client trust and business sustainability. However, traditional methods such as the one-pager are rapidly losing their effectiveness. The one pager, once a staple in marketing toolkits, now represents an outdated approach that can potentially limit a firm’s market perception and success.

The service-first conundrum. For decades, one-pagers have been the go-to marketing material, typically leading with a detailed list of services. This method, while straightforward, inherently restricts a firm’s narrative to a narrow scope. Clients, especially in the AEC sector, look for partners, not just service providers. When we lead with services, we risk being pigeonholed, recognized only for specific capabilities rather than as a comprehensive solution provider. This not only diminishes our appeal but also caps our potential engagements.

A crutch for the sales-averse. Sales is an art, particularly in technical fields where the nuances of services are complex and varied. The reliance on one-pagers has inadvertently become a security blanket for those uncomfortable with direct selling. This trend is counterproductive. While a one-pager can neatly summarize a service, it cannot replace the human element crucial in sales – empathy, adaptability, and the ability to engage. By over-relying on these documents, we prevent our staff from fully developing these essential skills, ultimately impacting our firm’s ability to connect and resonate with potential clients.

Misaligned meeting approaches. The most strategic error with one-pagers is their tendency to dictate the flow of client meetings. Successful client interactions are not about inundating prospects with prepackaged information but about listening – understanding their challenges and tailoring our dialogue to address these issues. A one-pager encourages a monologue when the need of the hour is a dialogue. It is imperative that we shift our approach to one that prioritizes listening, thus fostering a more consultative and client-centric relationship.

A strategic shift in approach. Transitioning from the one-pager mentality involves a strategic overhaul. We start by setting clear goals and identifying our target audiences. From there, we develop key messages that resonate deeply with these groups. Only then do we select the appropriate tactics. This comprehensive strategy allows us to utilize the full spectrum of marketing and sales tools at our disposal, effectively moving our clients and prospects to action. By adopting this holistic approach, we ensure that all communications are purpose-driven and tailored, maximizing impact and engagement.

Let the one-pager die. The death of the one-pager is not an end but a beginning – an opportunity to innovate our approach to marketing and client engagement in the AEC industry. By moving beyond these outdated tools, we can foster more meaningful connections, demonstrate our full spectrum of capabilities, and, most importantly, evolve alongside the needs of our clients.

“For decades, one-pagers have been the go-to marketing material, typically leading with a detailed list of services. This method, while straightforward, inherently restricts a firm’s narrative to a narrow scope. Clients, especially in the AEC sector, look for partners, not just service providers.”

In the era of holistic service and partnership, listening and personalized engagement are the keys to unlocking true business potential.

Q&A with Kelly Selman | VP of Transportation

September 26, 2024

Kelly is Vice President of Transportation and supports efforts in the Texas region. Kelly has over 37 years of innovative transportation experience and has completed a successful 32-year career with the Texas Department of Transportation. Before retiring from TxDOT, he was the Dallas District Engineer responsible for a $32 billion portfolio of transportation projects.

Q: What makes you excited about joining WSB?

I am thrilled to join WSB and be part of a growing business. It is an exciting and challenging journey to be a part of. Starting from scratch and growing into a national business is a rewarding experience. It means more to see us at the national level, and I look forward to facing the many challenges that come with it. Part of being curious is taking everything in, the good and the bad and in business, that is what you see. Through adversity we learn and can take that knowledge and expand to new markets. Through a steadfast commitment to quality, our team of experts work with many communities across the U.S. to bring their projects to life.  It’s a rewarding experience.

Q: What makes WSB different than other Architecture, Engineering, Construction (AEC) companies?

WSB’s curiosity and commitment to continuously improving the way we do things is what makes WSB different from other AEC firms. WSB could do the same thing day-in and day-out, but we are always looking for opportunities to improve upon and expand our service offerings to best serve our clients, both today and in the future.

Q: What are the benefits of being a consultant engineer?

I joined WSB’s leadership team when our former firm, EST, joined WSB. WSB is structured to support growth and when you are expanding across the nation, that is one of the most important factors in a business. We have a lot more work and the teams we have in place will sustain us and allows us to meet necessary infrastructure needs for many communities.

WSB has good systems in place to support the many partner services we have. We can collaborate and rely on one another. These systems emphasize training and technology to help track projects and succeed in project delivery. Sometimes companies don’t have those opportunities, and it can make it challenging to complete work.

We have positioned WSB as an industry leader through our abilities and commitment to technology expertise.

Q: What makes WSB the best fit to manage Texas’ growing transportation needs?

WSB is the best fit to manage Texas’ growing transportation needs because of our experience. We bring the best talent to WSB. In addition, we often recruit engineers that have DOT experience. Prior to my current role, I was the district engineer at the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). Several of my other partners had similar roles at DOTs, and now serve in a leadership roles at WSB. This allows us to have a strong understanding of how the DOT works and the structure they use which puts us at an advantage because we know how to manage potential problems. The experience we bring from our design team and the technology we use sets us apart and allows us to manage the growing transportation needs.

Q: You’ve worked in the AEC industry for many years, how has your experience informed how you approach your role at WSB?

Although I have been retired from TxDOT for six years, I have had almost every job at TxDOT. I worked my way through the organization from the ground up and now when I am approaching a set of plans to produce, having that engineer and design experience helps me mentor our younger staff. We have great talent on our team, that is always a plus, but sometimes they don’t have the hands-on experience, and I can help with that. My background and perspective help me explain the importance of putting a project together and showing how it will work not just using computers and technology but at the construction site.

Being able to pass down this knowledge to our younger staff and letting them learn how serious a change order can be to our clients and a set of plans will help our business rise above our competitors. I always tell my staff you don’t want to pretend to know what you are doing, you want to know what you are doing and if you don’t, ask for help.

Q: What do you wish clients knew about WSB and/or your role?

Clients should know that WSB has a tremendous number of resources at a national level, we can assist more communities and face adversity head on. For example, we have a strong survey team which differentiates us from other companies. We will continue establishing WSB both locally and nationally, and clients will see the quality we are producing in each community we work in.

Q: Where do you see the future of North Texas transportation?

There is an unbelievable amount of growth in the future of North Texas transportation. It doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon.

WSB’s curiosity and commitment to continuously improving the way we do things is what makes WSB different from other AEC firms.

We are in a great place with the surrounding counties, and they are all experiencing growth.

When there is growth there are going to be infrastructure projects.

When you look at TxDOT and the $10 billion portfolio projects over a ten-year timeline, the opportunities are substantial. There is an incredible amount of work and there will be opportunities for design projects and construction oversight to assist with.

Cities are growing and we have opportunities to support their infrastructure needs as well. We are well positioned in our communities, and we continue to grow along with them.

Q: What is your favorite part about leading the North Texas transportation team?

My favorite part is teaching young staff and passing along lessons learned. When you see the staff, you are working alongside develop and grow, you feel good about what you are passing down. They are continuing the legacy of supporting counties and the communities we serve. We have partnerships win the community, the state and the county and we want to make an impact. I like the fact that I can look back on what I have done and what I have taught as a leader and know that I was a part of something bigger. Passing down knowledge to the younger generation and knowing that they will only improve on it from when you were in charge is what is most important.

Designing and Improving the Snake River Bridge

August 28, 2024
By Carl Osberg, PE, Director of Structures, WSB

Meeting Traffic Demands and Environmental standards with aesthetic sensitivity

As with many instances of aging infrastructure, the bridge across the Snake River to the East of Pine City, MN reached a point in its lifespan where it needed to be redesigned and replaced. Construction projects like bridges require focused attention to a variety of elements to not only ensure the bridge is sound and long lasting, but also to ensure no concerns are created like blocking off access from boats or environmental concerns. The Snake River Bridge scheduled to be completed in the fall of 2024 provides a superb example of the many facets that make up bridge design.

Meeting Traffic Needs

One point of consideration for bridges are current and future traffic needs. Previously, if farm equipment needed to cross from both sides of the bridge there would be issues. With the newest designs, the addition of extra wide shoulders allows for traffic to flow whether by car or larger. Through traffic forecasting, a bridge design can meet the needs of the current levels of traffic and those estimated for up to 40 years of potential population growth in the area. This project’s analysis deemed additional lanes unnecessary so long as the extra wide shoulders were included. Ensuring the bridge is only as big as is needed will save considerable time and money.

Considering Environmental Data and Concerns

In bridge design, gathering hydraulic data about the river is imperative to ensure that not only will the bridge be able to handle expected seasonal water depths and the speed of the river’s flow, but also to ensure that any bridge design avoids negatively impacting the areas downstream. For example, the updated trail on either side of the bridge included designs for updated drainage ponds and piping to prevent the road and nearby residences from being affected during heavy rains.

When tearing down an existing bridge, care must be taken to ensure that the river is not polluted, and animal habitats are not unnecessarily impacted. Specifically for the Snake River project, remnants of an older bridge still remained and new designs included removal. For both environmental concerns and financial reasons, the Snake River Bridge was designed with the impetus of ensuring durability and expandability. Not only is the bridge made to last, but also if population growth surpasses estimates the bridge can be more easily expanded to fit the new needs rather than torn down and rebuilt again.

To meet environmental and safety concerns, plans for a path underneath the bridge were included in the design that will grant extra protection for drivers, pedestrians, and the local wildlife once the bridge is completed and put to use. Accessible paths allow for foot traffic of both people and animals to maneuver safely without needing to cross the street.

Reducing Costs

Steps were taken through data gathering and design to limit unnecessary costs. These aspects include adding contingencies in relation to the soil and bedrock. Through geotechnical data gathering, it was identified that there are high levels of bedrock close to the surface in the construction area. Building with bedrock is difficult and attention was given to include contingencies on how to handle different bedrock or soil conditions during construction to ensure the project does not stop and cost money and time. Additionally, to limit excess costs geotechnical data was able to be acquired by drilling through the old bridge and into the soil rather than using a barge. Using a barge for data gathering would have drastically increased costs.

A Completed Project With Aesthetic Appeal

Bridge designs like the one used for the Snake River Bridge meet the needs of the communities that use it, protect against environmental impacts to the water, soil and local animals, reduce costs, and provide a timetable to ensure the bridge will be constructed and reopened without delay. Even down to forgoing the usual plain rectangular shapes and including parabolic arches to for little additional funds to make the bridge more attractive and not stand out so much against the beautiful environment around it. Creating not only a finished usable bridge, but one that is attentive to the various needs of the community, the land it sits on, and the river it crosses are what bridge design is all about.

WSB Receives National Award of Merit in Transportation

September 4, 2024

Each year, the Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) recognizes outstanding projects in various disciplines that exemplify the principles of Design-Build Done Right®.

DBIA recently announced that the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s (MnDOT) $75 million Highway 52 Zumbrota to Cannon Falls Design-Build project received the 2024 National Award of Merit in the Transportation (Other than Aviation) category. WSB supported MnDOT and this project through the Alternative Delivery General Engineering Consultant Contract (GEC) developing the Contract bidding documents and as the Owners Contract Administration Verification team providing quality management, contract administration, inspection, materials testing and plant inspection.

As a result, this project is automatically a nominee for the DBIA National Award of Excellence in the same category. Only one winner is selected for this award making it the highest honor in each category. Merit winners and Excellence winners will be announced during the awards program at the 2024 Design-Build Conference & Expo in Dallas, TX on November 7.

Click here for more information on the project.

Click here for DBIA’s full announcement.

4 Ways To Improve Road Safety and Reduce Speeding

By Sean Delmore, Director of Traffic, WSB
April 15, 2024

Excessive speed is a problem faced on roads all over the country whether rural or urban. No matter what a speed limit sign may say there will be drivers who will exceed the limit if they feel they can. The best way to reduce speeding is to design our roadways to encourage the behavior we want. When looking at designing a new road or updating an existing one, there are four ways to limit speeding: horizontal deflection, vertical reflection, width reduction, and feedback signs.

Designing Horizontal Deflections To Organically Lower Speeds

If your roadways look and feel like a long runway drivers will naturally feel comfortable with higher speeds. To circumvent this, including lateral shifts or roundabouts will break up long stretches of road and force drivers to reduce speeding to safely maneuver turns. By implementing horizontal deflections in roadways driver behavior can be altered organically in a way that simply placing a speed limit sign could not.

Sharp curves in a roadway are an effective way to decrease speeds. However, care must be taken because if the noted speed for one curve is not accurate and drivers are able to comfortably drive at higher speeds, they will be less likely to match the marked speeds at other curves. Drivers will regularly match the speed they feel most comfortable with, not the one listed on the sign. Additionally, signage like chevrons and flashing lights can help convince the drivers that the speed advisory needs to be adhered to for their own safety. With proper signage, long curves are an effective way to lower speeds.

Installing Vertical Deflections Sparingly

The introduction of speed bumps, tables, and raised crossings to a roadway is a physical barrier that forces drivers to reduce speeding. However, vertical deflections are used sparingly because they can create difficulties for maintenance, plowing, and emergency services. It is for this reason that speed bumps and tables are primarily used in parking lots or lower traffic areas like residential roads.

Reducing Road Width to Improve Safety

The wider the road the more likely drivers will be willing to change lanes to maintain higher speeds. After data collection is performed and it is determined that, for instance, a four-lane road does not carry enough traffic volume to justify its width, a variety of modifications can be made. Removing excess lanes to implement bike lanes and adding constant turn lanes are some examples. They assist with traffic flow on top of width reduction to limit the potential for drivers to speed. In addition, width reduction has the benefit of shrinking the distance of crosswalks which improves pedestrian safety.

Benefitting From Instant Feedback

Driver feedback signs that use flashing lights and show the incoming driver’s speed are an effective way to drive down speeds over short distances. Radar signs with instant feedback are best applied in transition areas, like the lead up into a small town where the posted speed limit can drop from 55 to 40 and then to 30 miles per hour. As drivers slow down in response to the feedback, they will be less likely to speed back up once they reach the lower speeds in town. However, feedback signs are far less effective outside of transition areas as driver compliance can be expected only so long as the feedback is visible.

What WSB Can Do to Help?

WSB staff brings vast experiences working with agencies on a wide variety of construction projects all across the country. Whether updating existing roadways or designing brand new, WSB’s traffic team will cover every avenue to make roads safer. Additionally, as many agencies are moving forward with focusing improvements to put more focus on the Americans with Disabilities Act, WSB has been leading the way in showing the value of not only making drivers and pedestrians safer, but also making our roads more equitable for everyone.

Developing Resilient Transportation Systems with Emergency Traffic Management Plans

February 12, 2024
By Saeed Sobhi, Regional Design Manager, WSB

Emergencies will happen. Disasters will happen. Communities must have thorough plans in place to prepare for and respond to a multitude of potential emergencies, ensuring public safety and preservation of property.

As communities face more extreme weather and other climate change related events such as fire, flooding, and mudslides, exploring resiliency and sustainability of assets and advance planning in emergency response and evacuation are critical. Will a road or a bridge need to be expanded? Are current facilities like local schools capable of providing shelter during an emergency? If tragedy strikes and thousands of vehicles need to go through one road to evacuate, can that path handle the strain? Are communication tools and protocols in place to effectively and efficiently notify residents to give them instructions? Do response agencies have the proper tools and resources? Properly developing emergency response traffic management plans is critical to safety.

Recent investments from the federal government like the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) have provided renewed opportunities for becoming more resilient to extreme weather events, but also to tackle sustainability goals. For example, the IIJA provided $110 billion for repairing and updating infrastructure. In the process of constructing an emergency response plan, roads and bridges and other key infrastructure that require updating can be noted allowing the city or county governments to apply for this newly accessible aid. The IIJA also provided an additional $50 billion with the explicit goal of making infrastructure more resilient to extreme weather events. The combination of these types of investments both in repairs and weatherizing updates provides ample opportunity for communities to take initiative in formulating emergency response/traffic management plans and ensuring their infrastructure will hold up in the face of disaster.

Here are some ways that communities can think about building robust emergency response plans that are smart and sustainable.

Think About Roadways

Just as the average student grows up learning where to go during a fire drill, a community needs a clear picture of how to respond in case of an emergency. This is where an emergency response plan comes in.

Using Colorado as an example, communities faced severe natural fires, flooding, and mudslide events that required extensive response work and evacuations. Communities in mountainous regions are especially susceptible as a severe mudslide can cut off road access. The size of these recent events and the damage caused has led more communities to recognize the need for sustainability and resiliency measures both to defend themselves from climate related disasters, but also to attempt to prevent future events. Proper design, routine inspection and systematic maintenance of roads and bridges is a key component of preparedness.

Preparedness also requires detailing clear evacuation routes and easily accessible paths for emergency responders. Making note of not only the best currently available paths, but also what areas may be improved or expanded. If a specific bridge is developed to include additional lanes for traffic, would it become a higher priority evacuation route? Also, are there roads where counterflow can be implemented to expedite evacuation? Having a detailed perspective of the roadway system and its capabilities is tantamount in emergency planning.

Navigate Available Facilities and Capabilities

Environmental threats can come in a wide variety of forms like power outages during freezing temperatures, wildfires that encroach on communities, or heavy rains that flood residential areas. These environmental hazards, among others, are affecting people and communities all over the country. One matter that all of these have in common is what happens once people have evacuated? These abnormal weather events like the recent freezing temperatures and power outages in Texas reveal a greater need for facilities that can handle the strain of housing evacuees and are designed with the goal in mind of weathering the storm.

Emergency plans need to include the capabilities for people to reach shelter, but also the ability for facilities to handle becoming a shelter. Event centers or schools are evaluated on how many people they can accommodate as an impromptu evacuation shelter. Do the facilities have enough capacity and the necessary amenities like cooling or heating systems? Knowing a facility can provide space and heating when a nearby residential area faces power outages in subzero temperatures will be a life saver.

Collaborate to Build Success

The resiliency of emergency planning requires collaboration across local governments. The different stakeholders in the development of an emergency plan include local city government, city emergency responders like police and fire rescue, the state’s department of transportation, neighboring municipalities that share the primary roads and bridges used during evacuations, and counties for when the plans extend beyond the reach of one individual community.

Collaborative efforts come in the forms of understanding what equipment is available for communicating during emergencies or for emergency responders to properly respond. On many occasions the local department of transportation holds jurisdiction over specific roadways or can aid in developing plans for parking and access to highways. These evacuation zones can be made digital so communication is fluid through the various agencies and the residents affected can be notified as soon as possible.

How WSB Can Help

With more attention being placed on sustainability and eco-friendly construction projects, attention should be given to maintaining and improving resiliency for the growing number of extreme weather events brought on by climate change. From designing sustainable infrastructure to helping communities create in-depth emergency management plans, WSB is here to help.

Our team has rich experience covering a variety of specialties that can help communities prepare. Our team has meaningful experience developing and supporting implementation of incident management plans and emergency traffic management response plans, as well as facilitating collaboration and consensus building among stakeholders.