Analyzing Pre- and Post-Coastal Hazard Pavement Conditions to Optimize Response Strategies for Coastal Infrastructure Durability

Texas' coastal region stretches over 367 miles along the Gulf of Mexico which is a significant ecological and economic zone encompassing beaches, marshes, estuaries, and barrier islands. This area supports a vibrant tourism industry, international trade, commercial fishing, and energy production, with major ports such as Houston, Corpus Christi, and Galveston playing vital roles. However, Texas' coastline faces increasing risks from natural hazards, necessitating efficient and effective infrastructure response strategies to mitigate impacts and ensure rapid recovery. This research aims to investigate the effects of coastal hazards on pavement conditions and to use network analysis for optimizing pavement infrastructure response, maintenance decisions, and treatment allocation to support coastal communities. The study focuses on Houston which is a key urban center exposed to frequent coastal hazards. Hurricane Harvey was selected as a case study for in-depth analysis.