transport

A wide variety of adaptation measures are available in the transport sector ranging from the redesign of the infrastructure, to measures to mitigate emissions from transport through cleaner technologies, and adapting human behaviour .

There is increasing support for moving towards more sustainable transportation systems, one that would add environment and equity to existing priorities of efficiency and safety. Fortunately, many initiatives that are consistent with sustainability principles not only facilitate the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, but also increase resilience to potential climate change impacts. These may include the adoption of selected new technologies and best-management practices, as well as changes in travel patterns that reduce exposure to risk. For personal mobility, promising examples include encouraging information-sector employees to work from home (telework); changing land-use patterns to shorten commutes and increase accessibility to goods and services; and providing financial incentives to use transport modes that are inherently safer and more reliable, even in the face of a changing climate.

It is necessary to consider how future economic, social and physical conditions, reflecting both future changes in climate and other factors, are likely to impact transportation, and what types of adaptation strategies would increase resilience of the system. From a physical perspective, climate change is likely to create both challenges and new opportunities for transportation systems.

Transport use

There is likely to be an increased use of air conditioning in private vehicles and where public transport is perceived to be uncomfortable a modal switch may result.

Transport infrastructure

Higher temperatures can damage rail and road surfaces and affect passenger comfort.

Decrease damage from fewer freeze thaw cycles.

The likely increase in extreme weather events may cause flooding, particularly of rail systems and roads with inadequate drainage. Increased landslide/avalanche activity.

High winds may affect the safety of air, sea and land transport whereas intense rainfall can also impact adversely on road safety although in some areas this may be offset to a degree by fewer snowy days. Reduced incidences of frost and snow will also reduce maintenance and treatment costs for some areas, whilst other areas used to very cold dry snow conditions will have to second more resources on making newer icy, freeze thaw conditions safer.

The thawing of ground permafrost will disrupt access through shorter ice road seasons and cause damage to existing infrastructure in Greenland and northern Lapland regions.

Transport fuel supply

As with the energy theme, the distribution of fuels is vulnerable to climate change. Oil and vehicle fuels are often transported large distances by pipe line, ship or road tanker and are going to be more vulnerable to extreme weather events and global conflicts (perhaps as a results of population migration due to seas level rise or regional food and water shortages).

Transport routes

Reduced sea ice and thawing ground in the Arctic will increase marine access and navigable periods for the Northern Sea Route. The a reduction in sea ice locally in Greenland will have a knock on effect on Inuit hunting and travel by dog sledge.;

Adaptation potential

Changes in winter maintenance.

Changes to maintenance and design practices.

Over the medium to long term, shifting from fossil fuels to locally generated renewable energy use will be an effective adaptive measure for transport fuels.

There is clearly a need for capacity building in the response to incidents, risk assessments, developments in maintenance, renewal practice and design standards for new infrastructure.

Clim-ATIC will be looking at the impacts of climate change on transport in two rural communities. In Scotland the Cairngorms National Park will be demonstrating the use of an Electric Vehicle used by a community group to increase community accessibility whist reducing fuel costs. The project will trail the use of renewable energy for vehicle recharging.

In Sweden the ski resort of Åre will look at a developing and adopting a green travel plan for its tourists. Both providing a more carbon efficient travel system, but also a better, flexible and integrated system that can accommodate the changes in tourists expected as an impact of climate change.

References

IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) Fourth Assessment Report (AR4) Working Group II Report "Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability"

Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation: A Canadian Perspective