addressing climate change adaptation in regional transportation plans

Addressing Climate Change Adaptation in Regional Transportation PlansA Guide for California MPOs and RTPAs12.0 Module 4: DevelopAdaptation Strategies12.1 THE IMPORTANCE OF ADAPTATION PLANNINGFOR CLIMATE CHANGEModule 4 supports MPOs and RTPAs in developing and prioritizing costeffectivestrategies for adapting critical transportation infrastructure to thepotential effects of climate change. This module leverages the rapid assessmentperformed for Module 3, but encourages greater focus on timing (the coincidenceof climate hazards, asset renewal cycles, and asset service life), characterizing theconsequences of climate on critical assets, and identifying feasible and effectiveapproaches to mitigating these consequences (adaptation strategies). At theconclusion of this exercise, the region and its transportation operating agencieswill:Possess an enhanced understanding of when and how climate change couldaffect its most critical assets;Have formulated low risk, high reward strategies to meet the challenges ofclimate-related threats of particular concern now and in the longer term. Theagency may consider these priority strategies for implementation, especiallyin concert with normal project development and renewal cycles;Gain a clearer path toward integrating adaptation into the Long-RangeTransportation Plan, the TIP, hazard mitigation plans, and other short- andlonger-term transportation planning efforts; andHave designated a pool of potentially vulnerable assets for monitoring andperiodic reevaluation (Module 5).By planning for adaptation now, regions place themselves in a position tomanage risks proactively, potentially reducing the costs of adaptation (versusreactive retrofitting, for example) and mitigating possible future economic,mobility, reputational, and/or safety losses.Figure 12.1 provides a step-by-step illustration of the primary elements of theadaptation strategy module.Cambridge Systematics, Inc. 12-1