addressing climate change adaptation in regional transportation plans

Addressing Climate Change Adaptation in Regional Transportation PlansA Guide for California MPOs and RTPAsrestrictions. 9 Buckled rails and heat kinks result from overheated rails thatexpand and cannot be contained by the ties and other track structures.Higher heat can increase the cost to cool equipment, which may even have to beredesigned to adequately withstand increased temperatures. Increased extremeheat can also cause overhead catenary wires to sag and lead to overheatedvehicles and failed air conditioning systems within the vehicle itself. 10High heat can also pose challenges for customer service and worker safety;passengers waiting on platforms in hot weather, or construction andmaintenance crews can be affected by an increasing intensity or frequency ofextreme heat days. 119 National Research Council of the National Academies (NRC), Potential Impacts ofClimate Change on U.S. Transportation, Transportation Research Board SpecialReport 290, Washington, D.C., 2008.10 Ibid.11 Ibid.4-10 Cambridge Systematics, Inc.