Engineering Researchers Preserve Florida鈥檚 Heritage Sites while Streamlining Transportation Projects
Civil engineering researchers at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering are transforming how we document and assess the historical significance of transportation-related structures like highways, railroads and canals. They aim to help the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) identify and protect these valuable resources while ensuring that transportation projects are completed on time and within budget.
Researcher and leads the project alongside fellow faculty member , an associate professor and director of the college鈥檚 .
This interdisciplinary project combines diverse expertise from faculty at Florida A&M University (FAMU) and 糖心vlog (FSU), which share the joint college. Civil engineers like Guo and Ozguven collaborate with history, urban planning and architecture faculty at the two institutions to create a holistic view of historic preservation in transportation projects.
FSU Faculty on the Project:
- Kathleen Powers Conti from the Department of History
- Kelly Kinahan from the Department of Urban and Regional Planning
Faculty from FAMU鈥檚 School of Architecture + Engineering Technology:
- Doreen Kobelo
- Sang Bum Park
- Andrew Chin
Together, they are tackling the complexities of historical evaluation head-on by harnessing cutting-edge technology, including remote sensing via satellite imagery, aerial photography, high-resolution drone data collection and extensive on-the-ground surveys. They aim to assess potential historic sites for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) and secure other historical designations well before any development begins.
Efficiency, Preservation and Taxpayer Benefits
鈥淏y identifying and addressing historic properties early in the project development process, we can significantly minimize potential conflicts and delays,鈥 Guo says. 鈥淲e foresee keeping projects on budget and preserving Florida鈥檚 rich cultural heritage. By balancing infrastructure development with protecting the state鈥檚 cultural resources, our initiative benefits not just the FDOT but also stakeholders and the community.鈥
The process of identifying and evaluating historic resources in transportation projects can be cumbersome鈥攕low, inconsistent, and often redundant. According to Guo, these inefficiencies result in project delays, increased costs and sometimes inadequate preservation efforts. She hopes to change the game by developing a standardized, efficient approach tailored to Florida鈥檚 unique needs.
A Vision for the Future
鈥淥ur long-term goal is to establish and develop guidelines as the standard practice across Florida for managing historic linear resources in transportation projects,鈥 Guo says. 鈥淚n the long run our research can serve as a model for Florida and states across the nation grappling with the challenges of managing their linear historic resources.鈥
The study is supported by a four-year, $300,000 grant from the FDOT and uses resources from FAMU, FSU and the RIDER Center.
鈥淭his initiative is more than just a research project鈥攊t's a collective effort to ensure that Florida鈥檚 cultural legacy is preserved, even as we pave the way for future infrastructure,鈥 Guo says.