addressing climate change adaptation in regional transportation plans

Addressing Climate Change Adaptation in Regional Transportation PlansA Guide for California MPOs and RTPAshave to involve the coordination of many departments and this work program,much like the RTP documentation, will need to be continually refreshed.Monitor ImplementationAlthough at this point, monitoring implementation of adaptation strategies is notalways in the hands of the MPO/RTPA, the MPO/RTPA can assist with two keyareas: supporting the budget and developing a risk register.One of the most challenging aspects to implementation of adaptation strategies isidentifying and pursuing the funding for it. The RTP process is designed toidentify needs and shortfalls over a long-term future time horizon, but as projectsemerge, they will have an associated estimated cost that includes the materialcost of the strategy, staff time, administrative support, associated outreach, andlong-term monitoring. Although the adaptation strategy may be a part of aregional transportation plan, it may not be viewed as critical when comparedagainst all of the other needs in the region. There are a variety of ways in whichadaptation strategies can be funded, including government grants, generalfunds, taxes and fees (including impact fees), bonds, and more. The RTP processis meant to support the identification of costs and of potential funding required.An MPO/RTPA can also assist with the development of a risk register for theproject. This is a project management tool to track project risk probabilities,estimate impact and develop alternative methods to deal with diversions fromthe original goal or strategy. Each adaptation strategy will have a different set ofimplementation challenges, and the MPO/RTPA can adopt a risk register alongwith the implementation agency to track the progress over time.Continue Stakeholder CommunicationAlthough it is unlikely that the advisory board will continue to be in existenceafter the development of the climate adaptation component of the RTP, theMPO/RTPA will benefit from longer-term periodic updates with stakeholders,even if through an e-mail listserve or informal correspondence. This buildssupport for their participation in future RTP cycles and provides a forum foropen communication.Evaluate PlanBefore the next planning cycle begins, the MPO/RTPA will find it worthwhile tocatalog the lessons learned from the development of the climate assessment andadaptation plan for incorporation into the next planning cycle.13.3 NEXT STEP: REVIEW GOALS FOR FUTURE RTPAt the end of the process, the cycle begins again with Module 1, with the timingaligned with the next round of RTP updates, which occurs every four to fiveCambridge Systematics, Inc. 13-3