Low-volume roads in rural areas and developing countries are especially vulnerable to damage from increasingly intense storms. Rapidly assessing road conditions after severe weather events, designing them effectively, and managing them with accurate information can significantly improve their resilience and reduce life-cycle costs. TRB hosted a webinar on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM Eastern that explored how remote sensing technologies can assist with road location, design, and condition assessments, particularly in remote and developing regions. Presenters shared how high-resolution imagery and digital elevation models derived from remote sensing can support resilient road maintenance, drainage design, and storm damage repairs.
This webinar featured research from NCHRP Synthesis 485: Converting Paved Roads to Unpaved and NCHRP Synthesis 430: Cost-Effective and Sustainable Road Slope Stabilization and Erosion Control.
This webinar was sponsored by TRB’s National Cooperative Highway Research Program and the Standing Technical Committee on Low Volume Roads.
The slides are available. 
 
Webinar agenda and presenters

• Remote sensing and satellite data used for rural road design – Alex Campbell, Anyway Solutions
• Advanced methods in drone remote sensing for condition assessment and asset management of low volume roads – Colin Brooks, Michigan Tech Research Institute
• Question and answer session moderated by Gordon Keller, Genesee Geotechnical

The first 60 minutes of the webinar were for presentations and the final 30 minutes were reserved for audience questions.
 
Learning Objectives
At the end of this webinar, participants can:

• Locate and identify remote sensing data relevant to rural low-volume road design and maintenance
• Apply drone technology to assess road conditions and identify maintenance needs
• Use digital tools to develop elevation models and determine appropriate drainage solutions

 
Professional Development Hours
This webinar was delivered as a scheduled – e-learning live event and is categorized within RCEP as Technical, Health and Safety.
Professional Development Hours (PDHs) earned on completion of this program were reported to the Registered Continuing Education Program (RCEP). Certificates of Completion are issued to all participants via the RCEP.net online system. Complaints about registered providers may be addressed to RCEP, 1015 15th Street, NW, 8th Fl., Washington, DC, 20005.
American Institute of Certified Planners Certification Maintenance Credits
This webinar was approved by the American Planning Association (APA) for 1.5 Certification Maintenance (CM) Credits. CM credits provide continuing education opportunities for AICP Certified Planners to continue their professional skills and knowledge. To receive CM credits, Certified Planners should visit the TRB event webpage on American Planning Association and register their participation. If you have problems reporting your CM credits or have general questions about the CM program, please contact the APA.