Summary Report: Peer Workshop on Adaptation to Climate Change Impacts

Appendix C - FHWA State Climate Change Adaptation Activities Survey & Related FHWA Activities

Prepared for Peer Exchange on Climate Change Adaptation
December 11, 2008
Washington, DC

Adaptation to Climate Change Impacts

Typology of Reported State Activities:

• Policy-level Activities
• Strategic Planning/Action Plans
• Research Activities
• Implementation Activities

Adaptation to Climate Change Impacts - Early 2008

Adaptation to Climate Change Impacts - Sept. 2008

*Some DOTs reported more than one type of activity.

Policy-level Activities - Examples

• Alaska - Adaptation Advisory Group focusing on impacts of GCC
• Florida - Considering several Adaptation Policy Options (ADP), many of which have already been approved; includes Built Environment, Infrastructure, and Community Protection
• Hawaii - Statewide Transportation Planning Office is gauging the potential impacts of climate change via discussions with University of Hawaii experts

Strategic Planning/Action Plans - Examples

• California - State Climate Action Charter includes developing a transportation system "Vulnerability Inventory" and adaptation measures for transportation facilities
• Oregon - ODOT documenting existing knowledge about GCC impacts & summarizing data that will lead to development of full vulnerability assessment of transportation infrastructure; made strategic decision to start asset inventories to support future vulnerability assessment.

Research - Examples

• Texas - TxDOT & TTI evaluating use of warm-mix asphalt (WMA) in place of the typical hot-mix. TxDOT also exploring the possibility of increasing the amount of fly ash used in concrete.
• Rhode Island - Using computer-generated image maps of sea-level rise in downtown areas and adjacent to major roadways.

Implementation - Examples

• Louisiana - LA DOTD & Corps mapping critical infrastructure (levees, highways, ports, RR, airports); LSU Center for Geoinformatics inventorying current elevation of all LA evacuation routes & completed inventory of current heights of all LA hurricane protection levees
• Texas - TxDOT using low-mix asphalt to reduce impact of producing asphalt concrete at high temperatures and reduce asphalt surface temperatures

FHWA’s Activities and Approach

Timeline of FHWA Adaptation Activities

Short Term (Next Few Months)

• Conduct & document workshop on adaptation with AASHTO and State DOTs (Dec 2008)
• Meet with the other federal agencies to develop preliminary strategies

Medium Term (FY 2009)

• Form adaptation working group
• Work with National Weather Service, others on incorporating climate effects in forecasts of frequency and severity of storms
• Explore PAVEMENT CALCULATORS
• State activities: promote proactive state efforts
• Conduct review of FHWA policy, guidance, regulations where adaptation should be considered
• Develop interim framework for conducting inventories of transportation assets vulnerable to climate change impacts
• Develop Reauthorization proposals

Long Term (Next few years)

• Gulf Coast Study - Phase II

What are We in FHWA Doing on Climate Change?

• Outreach/Education
  • Peer exchanges
  • Transportation & Climate Change Clearinghouse
  • FHWA Adaptation Working Group
• Technical Assistance
  • Modeling
  • Adaptation
• Research
  • Mitigation strategies
  • VMT
  • Adaptation Methodology/Tools
• Reauthorization
  • Proposals
  • Preparing for transition/new leadership

FHWA Future Activities and Challenges

• Preparing reauthorization proposals
  • Stakeholder input
• Identifying actions to make a real contribution to reducing GHG emissions
  • Actions need to reduce emissions effectively
• Tools to measure are not yet adequate
  • Working with EPA and others on data/modeling issues
• Growth in VMT makes reductions difficult
  • Reducing VMT may require fundamental changes

To provide Feedback, Suggestions or Comments for this page contact Robert Ritter (robert.ritter@dot.gov) or Mike Culp (michael.culp@dot.gov).