How Climate Change Impacts the Safety of Bridges

Abstract

Climate change is having a significant impact on our safety on the road, as it affects bridges in many different ways. Different climatic circumstances make bridges less durable and more likely to collapse, for example due to extreme events such as wildfires, when different environmental circumstances such as higher temperatures impact the structure, and when weather conditions such as wind put more strain on the bridge. Also, climate change can affect the area around the bridge so that the bridge becomes unstable and can cause more accidents that damage the bridge. While damage is unrepaired, the service a bridge provides can be affected as well. Individual, combined, and interdependent risks affect the safety of bridges, causing the safety of individuals on and below the bridge to be put at risk.

Credit: This chapter is based on the scientific article “A review of the Potential Impacts of Climate Change on the Safety and Performance of Bridges” by A. Nasr and colleagues. (Full citation and link available at the end of the chapter)

Figure Credits

Fig. 4.1 mykhailo pavlenko on Shutterstock

Fig. 4.2 Fehmiu Roffytavare on Shutterstock

Fig. 4.9 ChiccoDodiFC on Shutterstock