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A survey on impacts of climate change on road transport infrastructure and adaptation strategies in Asia

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Abstract

This study assesses the impacts of climate change on road transport in Asia. It presents the findings of a survey of stakeholders from Asian countries on the existing state of awareness of climate change and its impacts on road transport. Issues related to emergency preparedness, infrastructure design standards and practices, policies, institutions, and coordination essential for implementation of adaptation strategies in the transport sector are also discussed. The study identifies the need to (1) raise awareness of stakeholders of climate change impacts; (2) review existing road design standards and construction practices considering likely impacts; (3) introduce climate change impact-assessment guidelines; (4) establish organizational units to implement adaptation strategies; and (5) enhance coordination among various stakeholders to develop resilient road infrastructure. The limited literature in the Asian context indicates further research is needed on climate change adaptation in Asia.

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Notes

  1. http://unfccc.int/files/meetings/cop_15/application/pdf/cop15_cph_auv.pdf (accessed 12 January 2010).

  2. The IPCC report uses standard terminology for the likelihood of occurrence: virtually certain >99% probability; very likely >90% probability; likely >66% probability; more likely than not >50% probability; about as likely as not 33–66% probability; unlikely <33% probability; very unlikely <10% probability; exceptionally unlikely <1% probability.

  3. Four subregions of Asia classified by the United Nations are: Central and South-West Asia; North and North-East Asia; South Asia; and South-East Asia.

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Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the support provided by the United Nations in undertaking this study. We thank three anonymous reviewers for their useful comments and suggestions on an earlier version of this article. The views expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Transport Division, United Nations, Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, UN Building, Rajdamnern Nok Avenue, Bangkok, 10200, Thailand

    Madan B. Regmi

  2. Department of International Development Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1-I4-12 O-okayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, 152-8550, Japan

    Shinya Hanaoka

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  1. Madan B. Regmi
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  2. Shinya Hanaoka
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Correspondence to Madan B. Regmi.

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Regmi, M.B., Hanaoka, S. A survey on impacts of climate change on road transport infrastructure and adaptation strategies in Asia. Environ Econ Policy Stud 13, 21–41 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10018-010-0002-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10018-010-0002-y

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