SPR-696: Preliminary Study of Climate Adaptation for the Statewide ...

The purpose of the focus groups was to provide more insight into the institutional context foradaptation planning at ADOT, and to achieve the following outcomes: Identify ADOT’s relevant guidelines and specifications where climate impacts maymodify design or operational thresholds. Map out relationships between departments specific to investment decision making andfunctions where collaboration is sufficient, as well as where it could be improved. Brainstorm existing and potential tools, data, guidance, or other resources related toextreme weather or climate change that individuals wished they had to help informdecision-making activities.ONLINE SURVEY QUESTIONNAIREAn eight-question survey focused on climate change adaptation was developed by the projectteam after receiving input from members of the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) regardingclarity and content. The survey was sent to hundreds of ADOT staff members by the ADOTResearch Center on August 16, 2012.More than 250 people responded to the survey, which covered the following topics: Introduction provides background on this research project, as well as some basicinformation and web links about climate change adaptation. Climate Change Adaptation Background inquires about the respondents’ exposure tothe climate change issue, and whether or not it affects job responsibilities. Future inquires about the time horizon respondents address in their job functions (e.g.,short term, mid term, long term). Climate Change Effects provides respondents with a detailed list of climate changeeffects related to transportation (e.g., asphalt rutting, increased risk of floods, wildfires);and asks them whether or not these effects are relevant to their job functions. Department Information seeks to identify existing policies within respondents’departments related to extreme weather events. Tools asks respondents what tools, data, or other guidance related to extreme weather andclimate effects they would like to help with decision making processes. Next Steps inquires about respondents’ interest in participating in a focus group.The online survey instrument is included in Appendix B with results of the survey inAppendix C.FOCUS GROUPSAfter the completion of the online survey, more than 70 survey respondents replied that theywould be willing to participate in an interview or focus group regarding their job function, andhow their job might be affected from specific climate impacts.Cambridge Systematics and the TAC reviewed this list and developed a short list of intervieweesfor this part of the research. Specifically, interviewees were identified based on their interest andinsights from their survey responses. Due to the scope and timeframe of the project, the primaryresearch and data collection includes only information from in-person interviews and focus30