Climate Change Will Have a Significant Impact on Transportation Infrastructure and Operations
Though the impacts of climate change will vary by region, it is certain they will be widespread and costly in human and economic terms, and will require significant changes in the planning, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of transportation systems, says a new report from the National Research Council.
Potential Impacts of Climate Change on U.S. Transportation
The Transportation Research Board (TRB) and the Division on Earth and Life Studies (DELS) have released the pre-publication version of TRB Special Report 290, The Potential Impacts of Climate Change on U.S. Transportation, which explores the consequences of climate change for U.S. transportation infrastructure and operations. The report provides an overview of the scientific consensus on the current and future climate changes of particular relevance to U.S. transportation, including the limits of present scientific understanding as to their precise timing, magnitude, and geographic location; identifies potential impacts on U.S. transportation and adaptation options; and offers recommendations for both research and actions that can be taken to prepare for climate change.
Back to topTransit Systems Are Not Well Integrated Into Local Emergency Plans
Millions of people each day rely on transit, yet few urban area emergency plans have focused on its role in an emergency evacuation, says a new report from the National Research Council. Transit systems could play a significant role in transporting carless and special needs populations in times of emergency, but these groups are inadequately addressed in most local emergency plans.
Back to topFuel-Efficiency Ratings for Tires Proposed
Congress has ordered the implementation by the end of 2009 of a national consumer information program whose goal will be to produce ratings on passenger tire fuel-efficiency, although regulations will not require tires to be labeled with the ratings. In 2003 the Transportation Research Board said in its report Tires and Passenger Vehicle Fuel Economy that reducing tire rolling resistance by an average of 10 percent could decrease U.S. passenger vehicle gasoline consumption by 1 percent to 2 percent. It concluded that a 10 percent reduction in rolling resistance was both technically and economically feasible and that the resulting increase in fuel economy would save the United States between 1 billion and 2 billion gallons of gas per year. The fuel savings would be equivalent to taking 2 million to 4 million vehicles off the road.
Back to topImpact of Changing Demographics on the Transportation System Conference
TRB is sponsoring the Impact of Changing Demographics on the Transportation System Conference on October 27-28, 2008, in Washington, D.C. The conference will explore how the changing socio-demographics of our society affect transportation patterns and needs. Additional information is available via the preliminary program. Advance registration closes October 6, 2008.
Back to topFor additional information visit The National Academies Subject page.
