Features
PIARC’s International Climate Change Adaptation Framework for Road Infrastructure - Elements of Analysis on Applicability and Refinement
Eric Dimnet IFSTTAR, French Institute of Science and Technology for Transport Development and Networks, France ; French-speaking Secretary
Gordana Petkovic Norwegian Public Roads Administration, Norway ; Leader of Working Group 2
Juan Fernando Mendoza Mexican Institute of Transportation, Mexico ; Spanish-speaking Secretary of Technical Committee E.1 Adaptation Strategies and Resiliency of the World Road Association
Climate change imposes new challenges for road owners. In many areas, well-known natural hazards will be intensified. Besides, unusual combinations of weather, sudden changes in weather conditions and extreme weather will bring new adaptation challenges. Adaptation implies ensuring sufficient capacity, through adequate planning and design; more generally, it means obtaining and maintaining resilience - through preparing for managing climate related challenges, preventing and protecting where possible, and efficient response and quick recovery from climate related disruptions on the road network (illustration 1).