Keep Asking Questions
Sometimes great innovations and discoveries begin with a question.
In 2017, I reach out to a colleague in FHWA and asked him for any guidance regarding submerged and flooded roads.
"From: Rohena, Jesus [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Wednesday, January 18, 2017 9:16 AM
To: (FHWA)
Subject: RE: Tool
Tony,
Good morning and Happy New Year!
I am looking for any reference you might have about what effect flooding has on the pavement structure (pavement, base, and sub-base).
I believe the flooding water will decrease the structural load capacity depending how long the road is under water. But I am looking for a reference with more details."
At that time Tony responded he did not know about any specific guidance but he was going to check and let me know.
"Sent: Wednesday, January 18, 2017 12:45 PM
To: Rohena, Jesus <[email protected]>
Subject: RE: Tool
Let me see what we have.
Thanks
Tony"
In 2018, the Disaster Recovery Reform Act (DRRA) of 20181 directed the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in coordination with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), to develop guidance regarding federal assistance through the FEMA Public Assistance (PA) grant program for the restoration of inundated and submerged roads damaged or destroyed by a declared major disaster.
Then, on 2019, I received an email telling me about a new NCHRP Project that looks at the issue of submerged roads.
"From: (FHWA)
Sent: Wednesday, December 18, 2019 9:40 AM
Subject: NCHRP Study
https://apps.trb.org/NCHRPBalloting/DocThread.asp?clsbtn=on&CandidateId=2321"
Perhaps, that first question I made to my colleague in FHWA had something to do with the new guidance in DRRA.
What I have learned is to always reach out to your colleagues and keep asking questions to find solutions to our engineering challenges.