A New Approach to Quantify Risk of Slope Failures in MnDOT Highway System

Slope failures are one type of geohazard that affects state trunk highways. Previous research efforts that model slope failures are limited by failure type, limited in geographic coverage, and are often subjective. This paper presents a new approach for risk assessment of slopes that accounts for all failure types unique to varying geographic regions. The new slope vulnerability model was developed by WSB and Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT). This paper outlines the methods and results of the new geographic information systems' (GIS) model. The results of this study are intended to be the first step of proactive measures to minimize the effects of slope failure including costly repairs and potential threats to public safety. Expected benefits from the results of this study include (1) enhancing risk-based asset management, (2) guiding recommendations in MnDOT's Asset Management Strategic Implementation Plan, and (3) integration into the federally required Transportation Asset Management Plan.