roads
Newsletter
Credit: Pixabay
Extreme heat is damaging America's transportation infrastructure
Record heat in summer 2024 is straining America’s infrastructure, causing issues like stuck bridges and buckling roads, and disrupting transportation systems.
In short:
- The Third Avenue Bridge in New York jammed after metal expansion caused by heat, and roads in Washington and Wisconsin have buckled, disrupting traffic.
- Amtrak and other rail systems face delays due to heat-induced rail expansion, which can cause derailments and safety hazards.
- Engineers are using innovative solutions, including heat-resistant materials and advanced monitoring systems, to address these challenges.
Key quote:
“Like human bodies, infrastructure needs to be maintained from the beginning to reduce costs and increase the potential for effective rehabilitation.”
— Suyun Paul Ham, associate professor of civil engineering, University of Texas at Arlington
Why this matters:
As climate change intensifies, extreme weather events will increasingly threaten aging infrastructure, leading to safety hazards and costly disruptions. Effective engineering solutions and timely maintenance are vital to enhance the resilience of critical transportation networks.
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Newsletter
Credit: Nathaniel Hutcheson/Unsplash
Biden's infrastructure funds favor road expansions over public transport development
An analysis reveals that the U.S. is prioritizing road widening over public transportation, raising concerns over environmental impact and community health.
In short:
- The U.S. has allocated more than $70 billion of the infrastructure bill to road improvements, which may increase car usage and congestion.
- Only a fifth of the infrastructure funding has been dedicated to public transit, with the remainder also supporting car infrastructure.
- Critics label this spending as a 'climate time bomb,' projecting more than 178 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions by 2040 due to highway expansions.
Key quote:
"We’re seeing investments that are not too conscious of the climate across the board from states,"
— Corrigan Salerno, policy associate at Transportation for America
Why this matters:
The funding decisions made under the current infrastructure bill could significantly shape U.S. environmental and health outcomes, by potentially increasing transport-related emissions. This situation underscores a critical moment for the nation to address its climate goals and reconsider transportation policies for a healthier future.
Be sure to read EHN’s piece: Pollution from busy roads may delay kids’ development.
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Image by Holger Schué from Pixabay
‘Green roads’ are plowing ahead, buffering drought and floods
As the developing world witnesses a boom in road building, a movement to retrofit existing roads is gathering steam. Using embankments, channels, and dikes, so-called “green roads” help control floods, harvest excess water for use in irrigation, and slash maintenance costs.
Road elevation among new approaches to flooding resilience in Pawleys Island plan
Thousands of Lowcountry visitors drive Myrtle Avenue each year, but as Georgetown County’s famed barrier island faces a forecast of a higher Atlantic Ocean in the future, the roads future visitors drive could be a bit higher.
Scramble for shade: Why cities aren’t planting more trees
Scientists are urging cities to expand tree cover to keep cities cool, but planting trees isn’t always practical.
lee bristol/Flickr
Men and their cars: Cities aim to break up the love affair
Men and women make different travel choices — understanding those is key to achieving pollution and climate targets.
Richard B. Rood: America's summer of floods: What cities can learn from today's climate crises to prepare for tomorrow's
Flood risks are rising as the climate warms. The risks are complex, as a levee or new roadway in one place can worsen flooding somewhere else.
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