# Presentation: 259510

## The Potential Impacts of Climate Change on Transportation

- Donald R. Trilling
- Office of the Secretary of Transportation
**DOT Center for Climate Change and Environmental Forecasting**

## Research WorkshopOctober 1-2, 2002

- Purpose:  *To gain input and perspectives on priority research topics related to the potential impacts of climate variability and change on transportation – through dialogue with transportation professionals, regional and national stakeholders, and experts in climate change and assessment*
- 64 participants
- DOT, EPA, USGCRP, CCSPO, USGS, NOAA, FEMA, NASA, DOE lab
- Researchers in climate change, weather, transportation
- State DOT, MPOs, non-profits, industry reps

## Framework:  Regional and Modal Analysis

|  | COASTAL | INTERIOR | GREAT LAKES & RIVERS |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Marine |  |  |  |
| Rail and Road |  |  |  |
| Aviation |  |  |  |
| Transportation Systems Perspectives |  |  |  |

## Coastal Areas – Marine

- Priority #1, Storms / Sea Level Rise
- Priority #2:  Sedimentation / erosion
- Priority #3a:  Decision-making / policy tools
- Priority #3b:  Socio-economic patterns, legal issues
- Priority #4:  Arctic shipping
- Priority #5:  Changes in prevailing winds, waves, currents, precipitation
- Who:
- NOAA, NASA, ACOE, Navy, USGS, DOT, DOE labs, EPA, ports, academia, National Dredging Team (Corps, EPA, others), States, metropolitan planning, land use agencies

## Coastal Areas: Rail and Road

- Priority #1:  Weather-related travel time delays
- Priority #2:  Smart growth
- Priority #3:  Lack of public awareness of the consequences of climate change
- Priority #4:  Impact of climate change on roads and ecosystems

## Interior - Rail, Road and Pipeline

- Priority #1:  Lack of tools to support local/regional scale impact prediction and decision-making
- Priority #2:  Hydrologic impacts on road, rail and pipeline infrastructure
- Priority #3:  Extreme events and impacts on roads, rails and pipelines
- Priority #4:  Spatial and temporal shifts in demand
- Who
- railroads and State agencies, NOAA, NASA , NCAR, USGS, USEPA, ACOE, USDA, Soil and Water Conservation Service, FHWA, Federal research labs
- Universities, AASHTO, State agencies, TRB, Railroads, Commerce, Pipeline companies, Chamber of Commerce

## Great Lakes and Waterways

- Priority #1:  Analysis of the climate events to come that impact the waterway system (Great Lakes and Ohio, Mississippi Rivers)
- Priority #2:  Analysis of responses to events, and preparation of government management of impacts
- Priority #3:  Understand competing interests for water relating to freight viability after climate changes long term
- Who:
- NOAA, DOE, NASA, EPA, USGS, DOT, ACOE, DOD, DOC, Fish and Wildlife Service, State DOTs, PIANC, interstate water commissions, users, industry, academia, NGOs

##  Aviation

- Priority #1:  Better understanding of high altitude emissions and climate chemistry
- Priority #2:  Improved predictability of weather phenomenon  (i.e. timing, confidence, location, frequency)
- Priority #3:  Engine Technology
- Priority #4:  Integrated framework to incorporate climate and other factors into tradeoffs between emissions and noise
- Priority #5:  How to tie R&D on environment to safety and efficiency
- Who:
- FAA, industry, DOD, NSF, NASA, NOAA, science agencies

## National:  Transportation Systems

- Priority #1:  Uncertainties about science weather effects
- Priority #2:  Integrating environmental and transportation plans
- Priority #3:  Institutional barriers / decision-making
- Priority #4:  How to do risk assessment
- Who:
- USGCRP (with broad input), DOT, NOAA, EPA, Interior, TRB, AMPO, AASHTO, research institutions

## Key Results 

- Research is needed to address gaps
- “Clearing house” needed – to get existing data and research results to decision-makers
- Regional variation is key in setting priorities
- Opportunity for collaboration and to leverage existing research activities
- Coordinate program with CCRI / CCSPO
- Complete and disseminate workshop report, and select DOT Center research priorities