Spatial Representation of Bridge Closures in the State
Spatial Representation of Bridge Closures in the State of Mississippi Jamiko Deleveaux, Ph. D. University of Mississippi Center for Population Studies OVERVIEW Topic: v In 2018 and 2019 news reports highlighted the numerous closings of bridges across the state of Mississippi has a total of 10, 730 county and local bridges, and out of that total, 511 bridges are closed, according to the Mississippi Office of State Aid Road Construction. Bridge closures not only increase daily commute times, but also impact the economic and social mobility of Mississippi residents. Purpose: 1) Provide a spatial analysis of counties and communities impacted by bridge closures in the state of Mississippi. 2) Determine if bridge closures impact Mississippi residents traveling on local, state, or federal roadways Why is spatial analysis important? v It offers the ability to make data understandable and relatable to wider audience through visual representation. Geographically locating bridge closures through Arc. GIS allows for exploring the interconnections between bridge closures, traffic flows, communities, high population density areas, and flood prone areas. METHODS Data v Complied by Mississippi Today from public records • Mississippi Office of State Aid Road v National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration - 2019 U. S. Spring Flood Outlook v United States 2010 Census Spatial Analysis v Spatial Joins v Clipping v Overlays DISCUSSION AND FUTURE RESEARCH Discussion v Heavily populated communities in Mississippi are more likely to experience bridge closures. v Bridge closures hamper daily commutes on state roads and highways linking Mississippi residents to major interstates and highways. Future Research v How many open bridges will be affected by the 2019 spring flood projections? • Is flooding the major cause of bridge closures or is there a greater need for enhanced infrastructure development in the state? v What is the economic and social impact of bridge closings on individuals and communities in Mississippi? v Which socio-demographic groupings are most impacted by the closing of bridges? Presented at the 2019 University of Mississippi Research Day
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