Transportation Asset Management Systems and Climate Change

Abstract

Climate change and its likely impacts on transportation infrastructure are becoming concerns to many transportation agencies. This paper describes how an asset management system can be used as a decision-making framework for incorporating such concerns into a transportation agency's management approach. Types of climate and weather changes as they might affect transportation systems are identified. A typical asset management system is used as a framework for discussing where climate change considerations could be incorporated into the system. Risk appraisal is identified as one of the key components of a climate change– oriented asset management system, and an example is provided of such an application. Some international examples are provided of where climate change has been incorporated into asset management systems. The paper concludes that, given that most state and large local transportation agencies have some form of an asset management system, it is the most convenient and targeted approach to incorporate climate-induced change into state and local transportation decision making.