Adapting transport infrastructure to climate change The role of standardization Adapting transport infrastructure to climate change The role of standardization Madrid, 18 January 2015 Climate change adaptation needs of the core transport network in Spain Alberto Compte

Objective of my presentation To extract some conclusions that might be relevant for your work, from the analysis that was carried out in 2013 by a working group set up jointly by the Spanish ministries of transport and environment.

Your objective at this stage To establish a list of priority standards that need to be developed or revised in relation to adaptation to climate change within the transport infrastructure sector.

Your objective at this stage To establish a list of priority standards that need to be developed or revised in relation to adaptation to climate change within the transport infrastructure sector. Conclusions extracted 1)The selection of priority standards (and, later, the development of standardization) should take into account that adaptation needs are not the same in all Europe.

Your objective at this stage To establish a list of priority standards that need to be developed or revised in relation to adaptation to climate change within the transport infrastructure sector. 1)The selection of priority standards (and, later, the development of standardization) should take into account that adaptation needs are not the same in all Europe. 2)From the perspective of integrity of new infrastructure, adaptation can be basically addressed by means of: incorporating climate as a variable design parameter, with a focus on assets with long service lifetime. Conclusions extracted

Your objective at this stage To establish a list of priority standards that need to be developed or revised in relation to adaptation to climate change within the transport infrastructure sector. 1)The selection of priority standards (and, later, the development of standardization) should take into account that adaptation needs are not the same in all Europe. 2)From the perspective of integrity of new infrastructure, adaptation can be basically addressed by means of: incorporating climate as a variable design parameter, with a focus on assets with long service lifetime. 3)From the perspective of its operation, adaptation of transport infrastructure demands not only to incorporate climate as a variable design parameter but: updated maintenance protocols and contingency plans, supported by efficient weather warning systems, and a vulnerability and risk assessment of existing infrastructure. Conclusions extracted

Adaptation needs in Spain differ partially from those considered for transport networks in other Northern and Central European countries. About adaptation needs

Loss of structural capacity due to permafrost reduction and rising number of freeze-thaw cycles Adaptation needs in Spain differ partially from those considered for transport networks in other Northern and Central European countries.

High risk of fires About adaptation needs Loss of structural capacity due to permafrost reduction and rising number of freeze-thaw cycles Adaptation needs in Spain differ partially from those considered for transport networks in other Northern and Central European countries.

Improvement of the winter operating conditions of the network About adaptation needs Loss of structural capacity due to permafrost reduction and rising number of freeze-thaw cycles Adaptation needs in Spain differ partially from those considered for transport networks in other Northern and Central European countries.

Vast flooding effects caused by large rivers About adaptation needs Adaptation needs in Spain differ partially from those considered for transport networks in other Northern and Central European countries.

Flash floods in rivers About adaptation needs Vast flooding effects caused by large rivers Adaptation needs in Spain differ partially from those considered for transport networks in other Northern and Central European countries.

Adaptation needs in Spain are significantly influenced by: About adaptation needs  Its latitude Higher temperatures

About adaptation needs Adaptation needs in Spain are significantly influenced by:  Its latitude Higher temperatures  Its topography Abundance of slopes and structures && strong variability of rainfall High run-off and flash floods and hydrological regimes

 Its latitude Higher temperatures  Its topography Abundance of slopes and structures && strong variability of rainfall High run-off and flash floods and hydrological regimes  Its size More nodal infrastructures, with specific requirements against climatic conditions About adaptation needs Adaptation needs in Spain are significantly influenced by:

About adaptation needs The greatest short-term challenge in adapting the Spanish core transport network to climate change is to promote awareness among those responsible for the network that climate change must be considered an additional factor in its design …

 To review standards and recommendations for the design of cut slopes & embankments in linear infrastructure to reduce their vulnerability to a combination of droughts and higher run-off and flash floods. About adaptation needs

The greatest short-term challenge in adapting the Spanish core transport network to climate change is to promote awareness among those responsible for the network that climate change must be considered an additional factor in its design …  To review standards and recommendations for the design of cut slopes & embankments in linear infrastructure to reduce their vulnerability to a combination of droughts and higher run-off and flash floods.  To pay attention to the design conditions of rail bridges and viaducts against high flash floods. About adaptation needs

The greatest short-term challenge in adapting the Spanish core transport network to climate change is to promote awareness among those responsible for the network that climate change must be considered an additional factor in its design …  To review standards and recommendations for the design of cut slopes & embankments in linear infrastructure to reduce their vulnerability to a combination of droughts and higher run-off and flash floods.  To pay attention to the design conditions of rail bridges and viaducts against high flash floods.  To assess the risks associated with the distortion of the rail fastening system caused by the raise of maximum temperatures and the daily thermal oscillations. About adaptation needs

The greatest short-term challenge in adapting the Spanish core transport network to climate change is to promote awareness among those responsible for the network that climate change must be considered an additional factor in its design …  To review standards and recommendations for the design of cut slopes & embankments in linear infrastructure to reduce their vulnerability to a combination of droughts and higher run-off and flash floods.  To pay attention to the design conditions of rail bridges and viaducts against high flash floods.  To assess the risks associated with the distortion of the rail fastening system caused by the raise of maximum temperatures and the daily thermal oscillations.  To carry out a detailed assessment on the appropriateness of adapting some of the current technical regulations for the design of port infrastructure (dikes & breakwaters). About adaptation needs

The greatest short-term challenge in adapting the Spanish core transport network to climate change is to promote awareness among those responsible for the network that climate change must be considered an additional factor in its design …  To encourage the consideration of climate change in the design of new buildings (railway stations, airport terminals, technical buildings, etc.).  To review the current recommendations for the design of plantations in linear infrastructure and the catalogues on vegetation species to be used.  To adapt, if necessary, the design of bituminous road pavements to the forecasted increase in maximum temperatures and decline in the average rainfall.  To conduct a detailed assessment of the possible need to increase the length of the airport runway. About adaptation needs

The greatest short-term challenge in adapting the Spanish core transport network to climate change is to promote awareness among those responsible for the network that climate change must be considered an additional factor in its design and operation.

 To complete the development and implementation of efficient weather warning systems, specially for the road network. About adaptation needs The greatest short-term challenge in adapting the Spanish core transport network to climate change is to promote awareness among those responsible for the network that climate change must be considered an additional factor in its design and operation.

 To complete the development and implementation of efficient weather warning systems, specially for the road network.  To assess the appropriateness and effectiveness of contingency plans and procedures for dealing with weather emergencies. About adaptation needs The greatest short-term challenge in adapting the Spanish core transport network to climate change is to promote awareness among those responsible for the network that climate change must be considered an additional factor in its design and operation.

 To complete the development and implementation of efficient weather warning systems, specially for the road network.  To assess the appropriateness and effectiveness of contingency plans and procedures for dealing with weather emergencies.  To review the current surveillance and maintenance protocols, specially for linear infrastructure (drainage conditions, vegetation control, erosion of cut slopes, erosion of piles, etc.). About adaptation needs The greatest short-term challenge in adapting the Spanish core transport network to climate change is to promote awareness among those responsible for the network that climate change must be considered an additional factor in its design and operation.

 To complete the development and implementation of efficient weather warning systems, specially for the road network.  To assess the appropriateness and effectiveness of contingency plans and procedures for dealing with weather emergencies.  To review the current surveillance and maintenance protocols, specially for linear infrastructure (drainage conditions, vegetation control, erosion of cut slopes, erosion of piles, etc.).  To carry out an in-depth vulnerability and risk assessment on ports and airports whose operation and/or integrity is likely to be more exposed to climate change. About adaptation needs The greatest short-term challenge in adapting the Spanish core transport network to climate change is to promote awareness among those responsible for the network that climate change must be considered an additional factor in its design and operation.