Caltrans Climate Change Vulnerability Assessments: District 6

Climate Change Clearinghouse2018PDFTech ReportCalifornia. Department of TransportationWSPCalifornia. Department of TransportationCaliforniaUnited StatesClimate changeDisaster reliefErosionForecastingHighwaysLandslidesMathematical modelsStormsTemperatureThe following report was developed for the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and summarizes a vulnerability assessment conducted for the portion of State Highway System (SHS) in Caltrans District 6. Though there are multiple definitions of vulnerability, this assessment specifically considers vulnerabilities from climate change. Climate change and extreme weather events have received increasing attention worldwide as one of the greatest challenges facing modern society. Many state agencies\u2014such as the California Coastal Commission (CCC), the California Energy Commission (CEC), and the California Department of Water Resources (DWR)\u2014have developed approaches for understanding and assessing the potential impacts of a changing climate on California's natural resources and built environment. State agencies have invested in defining the implications of climate change and many of California's academic institutions are engaged in developing resources for decision-makers. Caltrans initiated the current study to better understand the vulnerability of California's State Highway System and other Caltrans assets to future changes in climate. The study has three objectives: 1) Understand the types of weather-related and longer-term climate change events that will likely occur with greater frequency and intensity in future years, 2)Conduct a vulnerability assessment to determine those Caltrans assets vulnerable to various climate-influenced natural hazards, and 3)Develop a method to prioritize candidate projects for actions that are responsive to climate change concerns, when financial resources become available. The current study focuses on the 12 Caltrans districts, each facing its own set of challenges regarding future climate conditions and potential weather-related disruptions. The District 6 report is one of 12 district reports that are in various stages of development.109