addressing climate change adaptation in regional transportation plans

Addressing Climate Change Adaptation in Regional Transportation PlansA Guide for California MPOs and RTPAsClimate Impactand PotentialInfrastructureImpactPotentialTransportation Impacts Planning Strategy Design Strategy Operations/Maintenance ResponseBridge Scour Compromised integrity ofbridge structuresBridge failure resulting inclosureReduced bridge capacity Identify locations of bridges inlocations vulnerable to sea-levelrise and bridge scour Address vulnerabilities intransportation plansProtection of bridge piers andabutments with riprapRetrofit/replace/relocate existingbridges for new scour conditionsRepair damage as needed by emergencycontract or permanent restoration projectIncreased monitoring for bridge pier andabutment scourRailway Flooding Rail and railway roadbeddamage Disruption of rail traffic –closure or delayIdentify segments of railwayvulnerable to sea-level riseAddress vulnerability in railplansIncrease base elevation ofinfrastructureStrengthen, heighten, and constructnew seawalls and dikesCombination of hard engineering(man-made structures) and softengineering measures (use ofecological principles and practices) toprotect coast infrastructureIncreased monitoring of infrastructure conditionsEnsure drainage systems are adequate toaccommodate flood conditions Ensure bridge openings/culverts are clear forappropriate flood managementRelocate sections of trackIncrease in Intense Precipitation EventsFlooding ofRoadwaysRoute closuresTravel delaysIncreased safety risksIncreased need foremergency responseservicesRapid deterioration ofinfrastructureIdentify roadway segmentsimpacted by past intenseprecipitation eventsAddress vulnerabilities intransportation plansIntegrate improved floodprotection into transportationplansIdentify alternatives tovulnerable routesRestrict development infloodplainsPerform increased riskassessment for new roadsProtect critical evacuation routesUpgrade bridge deck and roaddrainage systems (increase thestandard drainage capacity for newinfrastructure)Increase culvert capacityIncrease/provide new waterretention/detention storage systemsNew asphalt/concrete mixtures ableto withstand flood conditionsRepair damage as needed by emergencycontract or permanent restoration projectIncreased monitoring of infrastructure conditionsPavement grooving and slopingPrepare for service delaysEnsure bridge openings/culverts are clear forappropriate flood managementDuring extreme precipitation events, continuallymonitor drainage systemsIncrease capacity and maintenance at pumpplant facilitiesMinimize repair backlogsPrepare to provide alternative route informationImplement emergency operations responseproceduresCambridge Systematics, Inc. 4-5