UVM Transportation Research Center TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH EXPO POSTER ABSTRACTS PROFESSIONAL POSTERS

TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH EXPO POSTER ABSTRACTS PROFESSIONAL POSTERS 1 Title: Implications of Climate Change on Transportation Infrastructure Resiliency: Surfacing Integrated Policy Scenarios for Adaptive Governance through Participatory Modeling Exercises Author: Christopher Koliba Additional Authors: Asim Zia, Jessica Ricketson, Yushiou Tsai, Steve Schienert, Ann Hoogenboom Affiliation: UVM Complexity & Governance Research Group, Professional Climate change drivers, such as increased extreme weather events, higher seasonal rainfall, and increased temperatures, are already having an effect on our transportation infrastructure. Following the aftermath of tropical storm Irene, $733 million of damage was done to the Vermont’s roadway network. The economic, environmental and public health and safety implications of the damages to our roadway networks is still being assessed. This situation has stimulated a deeper desire to anticipate and plan for future anticipated disruptions to the system. “Infrastructure resiliency” has become more than just a buzz word, it stands to be a prevailing consideration for transportation, energy, water, agriculture, telecommunications and a variety of other tangible public assets for decades or even generations to come. How regions plan for, adapt and adjust to these evolving needs must be the subject of study, outreach and ongoing support. Drawing on an adaptive governance framework, the Research on Adaptation to Climate Change (RACC) project and the Governance and Complexity Research Group sponsored a workshop of stakeholders from across the Lake Champlain basin to learn about the current understanding of climate science, and consider a range of possible impacts that a changing climate may bring to the region.