In this episode, I talk with Matt Huddleston, PE, Principal Consultant of Climate Resilience Strategy at Resilient Analytics, a Stanley Consultants Company, about how civil engineers can translate climate model projections into actionable strategies that lead to climate-resilient infrastructure.
Engineering Quotes:
Here Are Some of the Questions I Asked Matt:
- Can you share an example of how you helped a client go from identifying climate risks to creating climate-resilient infrastructure through design?
- Which climate data sources should engineers use, and what should they watch out for when it comes to quality and relevance in planning climate-resilient infrastructure?
- How is climate resilience being included in today’s design standards, and how can engineers make sure their projects support climate-resilient infrastructure?
- When working with private companies versus government agencies, how do you approach resilience planning for climate-resilient infrastructure?
- What are some practical ways that civil engineers and local governments can begin integrating sustainability and climate-resilient infrastructure into their plans?
- Why is it important for engineers to follow specific steps when turning climate data into design decisions that support climate-resilient infrastructure?
- Do you have a final piece of advice for engineers aiming to build infrastructure that’s ready for the future and aligned with climate-resilient infrastructure principles?
Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About Climate Resilient Infrastructure Solutions for Civil Engineering Projects:
- The Arizona DOT used future runoff projections for 2030 and 2050 to evaluate different stormwater design options for SR88. This led to design alternatives that addressed wildfire and flooding impacts without adding significant time or cost.
- Engineers can start with global climate models from the IPCC and use tools like Atlas 15, the National Climate Assessment, and the University of Minnesota climate viewer. They should be aware that prepackaged data can be limited and that using multiple models helps reveal the full range of outcomes for climate risk assessment.
- LEED version 5 requires a vulnerability assessment to show how climate today and in the future affects a project and what options are considered to adapt. ASCE 7-22 recommends using the 500-year flood as a design threshold, and other agencies are starting to include similar climate adaptation strategies in their requirements.
- Private companies often act based on investor expectations and regulations like those in the EU, UK, and California that require them to report climate-related financial risk. Public agencies may also follow regulations, but many use funding opportunities like PROTECT to support resilience planning and improvements.
- Engineers can begin by defining what resilience means for their agency and including it in master plans, asset management plans, and project frameworks. It helps to educate staff and clients using available tools, guidance, and funding sources to make the process more manageable.
- The process includes compiling data, developing a vulnerability model, analyzing the risks, and simplifying the results for others to understand. Asking the right questions about location, asset type, project lifespan, and client goals helps guide the right design choices.
- Engineers are trained on historic data, but current and future conditions are changing and require a forward-looking approach. Thinking about what an asset will face in 30 to 50 years helps highlight what risks to consider now for climate-resilient infrastructure.
More Details in This Episode…
About Matt Huddleston, PE
Matt Huddleston is a Principal Consultant at Resilient Analytics, where he assists clients in addressing the challenges of climate change by providing tailored solutions to enhance their ability to withstand and recover from environmental impacts.
With a background in resilience planning, sustainability, and engineering design, Matt has been involved in implementing climate resilience strategies for a diverse range of clients, including municipalities, governmental organizations, and global corporations. He helps clients understand and address climate vulnerabilities by translating complex data into practical, actionable plans.
Prior to joining Resilient Analytics, Matt worked as a design engineer and sustainability consultant, contributing to the development of innovative buildings and campuses around the world.
About the Host: K. James Taylor, Jr., P.E.
K. James Taylor, Jr., P.E., is a licensed professional engineer and an associate vice president at Verdantas, an emerging environmental, engineering, and technical consulting company with a green, sustainable, and people-first approach in the foreground. James has over 19 years of experience in civil engineering in the land development and municipal fields. James has served as a project manager since 2018. In 2021, James was recognized with the Outstanding Project Manager Award at Duffield Associates (now Verdantas) for outstanding performance as a project manager and his consistent display of leadership traits valued by the company, including scheduling, management, proactive communication, collaboration, responsiveness, and client-focused service.
James was selected as the 2021 Young Engineer of the Year by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Delaware Section and is a Delaware Business Times 40 Under 40 2024 honoree. He also serves as the president of the Delaware Engineering Society and on the National Society of Professional Engineers Board of Directors as the New Professionals Director from 2021 to 2023 and currently as the Northeast Region Director. James recently joined the Board of Directors for ACE Mentor Delaware, a no-cost after-school program designed to connect high school students with professionals in the Architecture, Construction, and Engineering (ACE) industry.
Sources/References:
Stanley Consultants
Arizona Department of Transportation
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
University of Minnesota
EPRI
Department of Defense
National Park Service
ASHRAE
Federal Highway Administration
Department of Transportation
ASCE
Connect with Matt Huddleston, PE, on LinkedIn
AEC PM Certification
AEC PM Connect
Project Management Accelerator™
Engineering Leadership Accelerator™
Keynote Speaking
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