TRANSPORTATION AND CLIMATE CHANGE IN VIRGINIA

Transportation

Transportation effects in Virginia

Virginia’s transportation system has brought many benefits, including economic growth and increased mobility

Climate change has a major effect on transportation in Virginia

These effects can and will increase with the population continuing to rise, putting new motorists on the highways and byways

Overview

Concerns

1. Sprawling development2. Infrastructure

deterioration3. Increasingly clogged roads4. Lengthening commutes 5. Massive expenditures of

taxpayer dollars 6. Lack of transportation

choices7. Record gas prices8. War?

Population Figures

The 2008 estimate of Virginia’s population, according to the US Census Bureau, is about 7.8 million people.

This figure grows by about 60,000 people each year (or by 1%).

With the population scheduled to continue increasing, it is logical to conclude that the population of Virginia could possibly number into the 10 million mark in the next thirty years.

Population on the rise

1790

1820

1850

1880

1910

1940

1970

2000

0

2000000

4000000

6000000

8000000

10000000

Population over 300 years

Population

2000 2010 2020 20500

2000000

4000000

6000000

8000000

10000000

12000000

Projected Population

Population

Transportation industry here to stay

People in Virginia drove over 80.3 billion miles in 2005 (= average of over 220 million miles daily)

The amount of driving has far outpaced population growth

Northern VA area experienced over 127 million hours of traffic delay in 2005. This was the eighth worst rate in the U.S.

We can’t ignore the problem, we must face the situation head on

Climate change and its effects on transportation

Climate change responsible for billions of dollars lost to the transportation industry

HeatRising sea levelsSevere rainHurricanes

Change is needed

Some beneficial programs are already in use, but need adjustments

More implementations must be put in place by the government

Transportation is sensitive to climate change

Our infrastructure is directly supported by the transportation industry. The transportation system was laid out and planned according to historical weather and climate conditions. Everything from road grade to the type of asphalt used is determined by the climate conditions.

With the climate change becoming more pronounced, this method of planning could cause disruptions in the initial stages of construction and even possible long term disruptions in deeming some roads unsuitable for travel. This has already started to begin in Virginia.

Failures in the Road System

Think back a couple years ago when a bridge in Wisconsin collapsed due to it being not up to standards according to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.

With the climate changing, so is the industry. Higher temperatures can cause asphalt to crack resulting in flat tires and/or serious accidents. Heat on railroad lines can cause the metal to warp causing train derailments and serious injury. Runways being too hot can cause unsafe surfaces for planes take off on.

Effects to the Transportation Industry

Every mode of transportation in the state of Virginia will be affected by climate change.

The greatest and most urgent of these is coastal flooding that will occur from rising sea waters and growing intensity of storms. With the Hampton Rhodes region with a maximum height of 39 feet above sea level, it will not take much to flood a good section of Virginia underwater.

Not only will this cause travel hazards such as the types faced in New Orleans, but it will become more frequent and eventually uninhabitable. As the climate grows warmer, the likelihood of a Katrina-style event becomes more and more pressing.

Construction efforts in this region must keep this in mind.

FIVE KEY AREAS WHERE CLIMATE CAN AFFECT TRANSPORTATION IN THE

STATE OF VIRGINIA1. EXCESSIVE OR EXTREME HEAT

2. RISING SEA LEVELS3. RAINSTORMS4. HURRICANES

Areas where climate change affects transportation.

1. Excessive or Extreme Heat

As stated earlier, heat can cause pavement and other road surfaces to crack and cause serious injury in auto accidents

Heat can also bend or warp rail lines, making derailment almost certain.

Heat can also causes unsafe takeoff and landing conditions, causing major delays.

Heat can cause bridge joints to expand and/or deform.

2. Rising Sea Levels

The rising sea levels will make travel more difficult as various low-lying roads will be flooded during major storm events, and even cause some roads to be underwater during tides.

Water will slowly erode runway surfaces where airplanes can no longer safely land. Water can also wash out railroad beds, making rail travel impossible.

3. Rainstorms

Rainstorms delay traffic and flood the tunnels, and the acidic qualities of the rain can eat away at road supports.

Heavy rain and thunderstorms adversely effect the Commercial aircraft industry

4. Hurricanes

Hurricanes are perhaps our greatest threat to the coastal regions of Virginia.

The surf can weaken coastal roadways as cause collapses in certain areas, like the US 90 bridge in New Orleans.

With high winds and rough surf and the relatively unprotected coastline there is only one conclusion:

The coastal areas of Virginia are not prepared for a Katrina-style event!!

Things the government can do to lessen the effects…

Establish a research program to develop new standards and reassess existing design standards to address climate change.

Create groups to support adaption to the climate changes.

Re-evaluation of the National Flood Insurance Program.

Changes in federal and state government regulations regarding long-term transportation plan.

However the preparation for these projected changes would require massive economic funding.

What has already been done?

The Virginia Department of Transportation has implemented several programs to help with the growing needs of the transportation industry.

Emphasis has been placed on environmental protection as well as aesthetics for the roadways.

1. Peregrine Falcon Program

A program that has been highly successful in restoring an endangered species. One idea is to continue these types of programs for the bald eagle and the northern flying squirrel.

2. Rideshare Program

Increases public transportation thus decreasing traffic and amount of vehicles on the road.

Northern Virginia has many of these programs, but southern parts of Virginia does not and it would be most beneficial to keep the traffic moving.

An average 157,000 + cars travel on East I-66 between Mile 47 and Mile 64 (Manassas:I-495)!

3. Wildflower Program

Use to combat the “highway hypnosis” phenomena and littering.

Various plants are planted to attract bees, hummingbirds and certain species of butterflies

Gives an aesthetic look to the roadways.

4. Noise Walls

Program established in 1989.

Lessens impact of highway traffic noise with people who live near them.

While trees must be cut down to make room for them, natural barriers are not as effective, as they do not block out all the noise like the solid concrete barriers.

1. MASS TRANSIT2. SLIDING SCALE TAX

3. CARS THAT MAKE UNDER 10 MPG ILLEGAL4. IMPROVE THE URBAN TRANSPORTATION

SYSTEM5. INTENSIFY RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

6. ROADWAY UPKEEP

Proposed Solutions

1. Implementations that need to be made

Encourage mass transit as the primary form of transportation by lowering fares on METRO and other train systems and further increase the capacity of the people on the trains.

Add more trains to the rails and more train cars to the trains.

2. Sliding scale tax

Impose a sliding scale tax for fuel efficiency.

Cars that make less than 20 mpg in any category are given a 10% tax increase to personal property tax.

Cars that make 21-30 mpg in all categories are given no additional tax increase

Cars that make over 31 mpg in any category are given a 10% tax refund.

The 2009 Corvette ZR-1 while being a supercar, makes 14/20 mpg. The 14 city would therefore give it a 10 % tax increase. The 2009 Audi A4 makes 21/30 mpg, so both are in the no additional tax increase bracket.

The 2009 Toyota Camry makes 24/33 mpg, so there would be a 10% tax refund.

The money collected from the tax can support future projects!

3. Cars that make under 10 mpg illegal

While this may seem extreme, only a small amount of vehicles will be taken off the roads.

Cars that would be included are “gas-guzzlers” such as the Cadillac Escalade and other large SUV’s as well as high performance cars such as the 2009 Bugatti Veryon which in all honesty should only be on the track.

The Veryon makes 8/14 mpg, and therefore would be outlawed.

The older models of the

Cadillac Escalade have

less than 10 mpg city fuel

economy

4. Improve the Urban Transportation System

Improve urban interstate highway systems, such as I-66,I-64, and I-95.

Make HOV lanes open longer and add more of them in congestion-prone areas.

Minimum four lanes of traffic on any urban interstate within 30 miles

Propose changes to US routes such as 29 and 60.

Did you know that US 29 in 1993 was recognized as the 29th infantry Memorial Highway, in honor of the first division to land at Omaha Beach during Normandy?

5. Intensify Research & Development-

Intensify R&D on biofuels, such as hydrogen, biodiesel, regular diesel, and ethanol.

Intensify R&D on hybrid vehicles, making them fuel efficient, aesthetically pleasing, as well as performance.

6. Roadway Upkeep

Make bridges and roadways less susceptible to flooding by raising bridges higher, and using different forms of roadway sealant.

Implement hurricane evacuation routes that are effective and efficient.

Transfer funding away from snow removal and more towards keeping roadway surfaces in good condition

Implement roundabouts at congested intersections to keep the traffic moving.

Conclusion

The transportation system in Virginia is in dire need of reformat as the consequences are too great too ignore

We must increase awareness of climate change and its detrimental effects to the growing population of Virginia

By using our resources wisely and finding funding for the possible solutions mentioned, it is possible to combat these effects

Have the transportation industry thrive into the future, producing a cleaner, more efficient and safer environment for future generations

Source Page

www.youtube.comwww.virginiadot.comwww.wikipedia.org/Virginiawww.images.google.comwww.photobucket.comwww.fueleconomy.gov

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