IMPACT OF FLOOD PLAIN REGULATION ON RAIL TRANSPORTATION

This viewpoint of an engineering and maintenance officer demonstrates concern for the effects of flood plain regulation on the maintenance of existing railroad facilities. It is noted that the regulations generally indicate that maintenance of existing facilities in flood plains will be permitted and that permits to perform routine maintenance work will not be required. The question is asked, however, where routine maintenance stops and constructions (e.g. ditching, widening or raising embankment, etc) that require a permit start. Issues such as reconstruction of facilities, the replacement of trestle with fill, and bridge replacement are discussed. The importance in consistency in regulations is emphasized. It is noted that flood plain regulation will require longer range planning in order to obtain the necessary permits for construction within a flood plain, and they may result in higher first costs. There will be compensating benefits such as the development of relatively fool-proof construction and the not insignificant benefit of management of the entire flood plain.

• Record URL:
  • https://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/trcircular/178/178-005.pdf
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00978515
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Presented at the TRB 54th Annual Meeting. Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.
• Corporate Authors:

  Transportation Research Board

  500 Fifth Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001
• Authors:
  • Bechly, D S
• Publication Date: 1976-6

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Pagination: p. 7-10
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Circular
  • Issue Number: 178
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0097-8515

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bridges; Embankments; Flood plains; Floods; Impact studies; Insurance; Lines of track; Location; Maintenance; Railroad transportation; Reconstruction; Regulations; Relocation (Facilities); Right of way (Land); Runoff; Timber; Trestles; Watersheds; Wooden bridges
• Old TRIS Terms: Government regulations; Line location; Line relocation; Timber trestles
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Highways; Hydraulics and Hydrology; Law; Maintenance and Preservation; Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00138120
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Oct 6 1976 12:00AM