OTREC-RR-12-01

OTREC-RR-12-01The Pacific Northwest and Alaska share interconnected transportation systems. Weather affects these networks, yet climate change impacts are poorly understood. Scientists confirm that climate changes will continue. Diverse topography and local variability complicate efforts to adapt to climate change. High infrastructure costs pressure planners and policy makers to deliver resilient and cost effective systems. Changing weather impacts all aspects of

The Pacific Northwest and Alaska share interconnected transportation systems. Weather affects these networks, yet climate change impacts are poorly understood. Scientists confirm that climate changes will continue. Diverse topography and local variability complicate efforts to adapt to climate change. High infrastructure costs pressure planners and policy makers to deliver resilient and cost-effective systems.
Changing weather impacts all aspects of transportation, yet many practices were developed without considering climate change. For example, more frequent and intense precipitation and floods may lead to failures of roads and bridges designed with old hydrologic data. Such damage may be avoided with current data and design. Socioeconomic changes are likely, but planners are ill-equipped to analyze them. TodayÕs decisions impact the resiliency of the system as we adapt to climate change. Making well informed decisions now can minimize costly modifications and disruptions.