• Transportation Resources

Transportation Sector Assessments and Tools

This tab provides climate science, vulnerability assessments, and tools for understanding climate change impacts to the water sector and potential adaptation options. Apply additional filters to narrow the list by resource type, region, and impact.

 

 

83 results are shown below.

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Oyster River (New Hampshire) Culvert Analysis Project

March 2010

In this project the Piscataqua Region Estuaries Partnership (PREP) performed a vulnerability assessment of the hydrology and drainage system of the Oyster River watershed in southeastern New Hampshire and its capacity to adapt to climate change impacts and increased development. The project used a geographic information system (GIS) based watershed model to identify the road/stream crossing culverts that are vulnerable to failure due to extreme storms with increased precipitation, in combination with development of the watershed.

Resource Category: Assessments

 

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Climate Change and Transportation in Maine

October 14, 2009

This report reviews the best available science on observed and projected climate patterns in Maine, synthesizes the influence of climate change on Maine's transportation infrastructure, and lists the measures the state's Department of Transportation (Maine DOT) will take to address project climate impacts. The report is a preliminary summary of Maine’s proactive approach to transportation planning that addresses climate impacts, positioning Maine DOT to receive support from federal agencies.

Resource Category: Solutions

 

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FHWA Literature Review: Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment, Risk Assessment, and Adaptation Approaches

July 24, 2009

In 2008, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) commissioned a review of U. S. and international approaches to address global climate change adaptation as it relates to transportation. This literature review focuses on three major categories of activities: vulnerability assessments, risk assessments, and adaptation approaches. For each of these, an overview is provided, with sample frameworks or methodologies, and examples. For adaptation approaches, strategies are also provided by climate change impact.

Resource Category: Assessments

 

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USGCRP Global Climate Change Impacts in the US - Transportation

June 2009

This report is one of seven sector-specific chapters from the United States Global Change Research Program's 2009 National Climate Assessment, "Global Climate Change Impacts in the U. S. "  The 'Transportation' chapter presents current and projected impacts to the U. S. transportation system from climate change. Primarily the effects of climate change on infrastructure, such as highways, air strips, and port facilities, are described in detail. Regional case studies demonstrating these types of impacts from extreme weather events in the recent past are included.

Resource Category: Assessments

 

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Environmental Impact Report in San Francisco Bay Area Transportation 2035 Plan: Change in Motion

April 2009

The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) completed an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) In order to assess the impacts of proposed transportation investments in the San Francisco Bay Area. The EIR includes a qualitative assessment of potential climate change impacts on the region’s transportation system, with a focus on sea-level rise impacts. It also suggests measures to protect transportation assets from the impacts of climate change. The EIR, finalized in 2009, was part of the development of the MTC’s long-range transportation plan, “Transportation 2035 Plan: Change in Motion.

Resource Category: Planning

 

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New York City’s MTA Adaptations to Climate Change – A Categorical Imperative

October 2008

New York City’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) commissioned this report, “MTA Adaptations to Climate Change: A Categorical Imperative,” to provide a risk-based framework for adapting MTA facilities to climate change impacts.   The assessment covers the entire MTA region, which includes New York City, 12 counties in southeastern New York, and two counties in southwestern Connecticut. Specifically, the report identifies steps for completing a vulnerability assessment; develops climate change scenarios for the region; conducts an initial survey of key vulnerabilities of MTA assets and operations by agency and type of hazard; and offers recommendations for ways that the MTA can assess critical infrastructure, plan for, and implement climate change adaptation projects.

Authors or Affiliated Users: Klaus Jacob, Cynthia Rosenzweig, Radley Horton, David Major, Vivien Gornitz

Resource Category: Assessments

 

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The Potential Impacts of Global Sea Level Rise on Transportation Infrastructure

October 2008

Prepared by the U. S. Department of Transportation, this report provides a high-level estimate of the net effect of sea level-rise and storm surges to transportation infrastructure on the U. S. eastern seaboard by 2100. The study integrates estimates of eustatic sea-level rise based on IPCC scenarios and digital elevation maps to identify areas that will either be inundated or placed at risk during storms. These estimates do not account for local variations. Based on 9 modeling outputs, from 6cm to 59cm, the study identifies the roads, airports, ports, and rail lines at risk from New York down to Florida, and it provides quantitative data on the extent to which each state in the study area will be affected by sea-level rise.

Authors or Affiliated Users: Kevin M. Wright, Christopher Hogan

Resource Category: Assessments

 

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Synthesis and Assessment Product (SAP) 4.7: Impacts of Climate Variability and Change on Transportation Systems and Infrastructure - Gulf Coast Study

March 2008

This report is one in a series of 21 Synthesis and Assessment Products (SAPs) produced between 2004 and 2009, aimed at providing current assessments of climate change science in the U. S. to inform public debate, policy, and operational decisions. This SAP investigates risks to transportation systems in the Gulf Coast from climate change, and assesses the steps managers and policy makers can take to ensure the safety and resilience of those transportation systems. The findings represent the first phase of a three phased research effort.

Authors or Affiliated Users: Michael J. Savonis, Virginia R Burkett, Joanne R. Potter

Resource Category: Assessments

 

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The Potential Impacts of Climate Change on U.S. Transportation (TRB Special Report 290)

2008

This report was published by the Transportation Research Board (TRB) of the National Academies in order to provide guidance to federal, state and local transportation decision makers - with the intention of building the capacity to create adaptation strategies. It identifies ways transportation infrastructure, across different modes and in a variety of U.S. regions, will be impacted by climate change, and makes strategic recommendations. 

Resource Category: Assessments

 

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Estimating Future Costs for Alaska Public Infrastructure at Risk from Climate Change

June 2007

The Institute of Social and Economic Research (ISER) at the University of Alaska Anchorage created a model to estimate how much climate change could add to the costs of maintaining public infrastructure in Alaska in the near future (by 2030). This report describes how that model was developed, and presents preliminary estimates of additional public infrastructure costs resulting from climate change. The report concludes that a changing climate could make it 10 to 20 percent more expensive to build and maintain infrastructure, and that climate change induced damages could add $3.

Authors or Affiliated Users: Peter Larsen, Scott Goldsmith, Orson Smith, Meghan Wilson, Ken Strzepek, Paul Chinowsky, Ben Saylor

Resource Category: Assessments

 

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