Impacts of Climate Change and Variability on Transportation Systems and Infrastructure: Gulf Coast Study, Phase 2: Task 2: Climate Variability and Change in Mobile, Alabama

Federal Highway Administration;Climate Change Clearinghouse2012PDFTech ReportKafalenos, RobertHyman, RobertICF International (Firm)United States. Department of Transportation. Center for Climate Change and Environmental ForecastingAlabamaClimate changeGlobal warmingInfrastructureTemperaturePrecipitation (Meteorology)StreamflowSea levelStorm surgesFHWA-HEP-12-053GS-10F-0124JDespite increasing confidence in global climate change projections in recent years, projections of climate effects at local scales remains scarce. Location-specific risks to transportation systems imposed by changes in climate are not yet well known. However, consideration of these long-term factors are highly relevant for infrastructure components, such as rail lines, highways, bridges, and ports, that are expected to provide service for up to 100 years. To better understand climate change impacts on transportation infrastructure and to identify potential adaptation strategies, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) is conducting a comprehensive multiphase study of climate change impacts in the Central Gulf Coast region. This region was selected as the study's focal point due to its dense population and complex network of transportation infrastructure, as well as its critical economic role in the import and export of oil, gas, and other goods. The study is funded by the USDOT Center for Climate Change and Environmental Forecasting and managed by FHWA. The Gulf Coast Study has two distinct study periods: Phase 1 (2003 to 2008) examined the impacts of climate change on transportation infrastructure at a regional scale; and Phase 2 (underway) is focusing on a smaller region, enhancing regional decision makers' ability to understand potential impacts on specific critical components of infrastructure, and to start evaluating adaptation options.109