IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE IN ALASKA

The economy of Alaska is extraordinarily dependent on the efficiency of its limited transportation infrastructure for mineral exports, fisheries, and tourism. Gravel airstrips, many built on permafrost, tenuously uphold the standard of living of the hundreds of Alaskan communities without road connections. Global warming is projected to bring more erratic winter weather, increasing the frequency of freeze-thaw cycles. As this occurs, Alaskan roads, railways, and airport runways will suffer attendant problems and maintenance costs are likely to increase. This paper is intended to open discussion of these and other potential impacts of global warming in Alaska.

• Record URL:
  http://climate.dot.gov/documents/workshop1002/smith.pdf
• 
• Authors:
  • Smith, O P
  • Levasseur, G
• Conference:
  • The Potential Impacts of Climate Change on Transportation
  • Location: Washington, D.C.
  • Date: 2002-10-1 to 2002-10-2
• Publication Date: 2003

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Photos; References;
• Pagination: 11p
• Monograph Title: THE POTENTIAL IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON TRANSPORTATION: WORKSHOP SUMMARY AND PROCEEDINGS

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Airport runways; Climate; Costs; Economic impacts; Global warming; Highways; Impacts; Infrastructure; Maintenance; Permafrost; Railroads; Thaw; Transportation
• Geographic Terms: Alaska
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Economics; Environment; Maintenance and Preservation; Pavements; Planning and Forecasting; Transportation (General); I72: Traffic and Transport Planning;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00962773
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Sep 3 2003 12:00AM