AdSVIS – Adaptation of the road infrastructure to climate change | Umweltbundesamt

no separate climate scenario developed: evaluation of regional climate models

Although the exact extent of climate change and its impacts is fraught with uncertainty, it is considered certain that extreme weather events such as heat waves and heavy rainfall will increase. We know from the past which consequences this might have for the road infrastructure: Prolonged heat waves can cause heat damage in asphalt and concrete pavement (rutting, spalling). Heavy precipitation can lead to parts of the road infrastructure being flooded. This endangers traffic flows and road users.

AdSVIS identifies climate change-induced risks that may arise during the planning and construction or during the operation and maintenance of road infrastructure. For this, regional climate models are evaluated and blended with the road network data to identify the affected and vulnerable to climate change elements of the road infrastructure. Subsequently, this data is used for the preparation of vulnerability analyses, to derive criteria for vulnerable infrastructure and to develop adaptation measures. Thus risks for road infrastructure can be detected early and measures taken for their reduction.

In the centre of AdSVIS lies the project 'Risk Analysis Transport Axis of the Highway Network in the Context of Climate Change' (RIVA). The aim of the project was to develop a methodology for identifying, analysing and assessing the risks of climate change and to validate on selected road sections in the German part of the TEN-T (Trans-European Network - Transport).

Other projects deal with the dimensioning of road drainage facilities and the temperature-dependent behaviour of asphalt and concrete fortifications as well as with the impact of climate change on bridges and tunnels.

Since climate change may not only cause direct damage to roads and infrastructure buildings, AdSVIS also concerns itself with hillside and bank slides alongside roads as well as with issues of the operational service. Hence the consequences of climate change for the road infrastructure can be thoroughly mapped and assessed. This is essential to develop adaptation measures, to advance regulations and to make the road infrastructure resilient.

The projected climate changes represent a challenge for the safety and operability of roads, tunnels, bridges and other infrastructure works. Especially the long useful lives of the structures necessitate to consider future climate changes in planning and building today. This also guarantees that financial resources are used efficiently and traffic safety can be ensured at a high level. In the future, integrating issues around climate adaptation into the maintenance and operation of the road infrastructure will gain in importance.

In 2008, the federal government identified in the German Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change (DAS) the transport sector (including: road infrastructure) as a key issue for adapting to climate change. As important starting points for the adjustment the federal governments lists the dimensioning of the drainage infrastructure so it can withstand heavy rainfall, as well as the risk from heat for road surfaces which can be customised through the use of new and modified materials.