U.S. Roads May Be Vulnerable to Climate Change

[xchrom]

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=us-roads-vulnerable-climate-change

From polluting exhaust spewed from tailpipes to caved-in roadways due to extreme weather, transportation and climate change have an intimate and insidious relationship, the Transportation Research Board (TRB) has outlined in a new paper.

"It's particularly timely now because we're seeing so many weather phenomena, from heat records to wildfires and severe droughts," said Cynthia Burbank, vice president of the global infrastructure consulting firm Parsons Brinckerhoff and an author of the document.

Based on studies by TRB and the National Academy of Sciences, the paper released last week is designed to be a succinct resource for professionals in the field on how transportation contributes to and is affected by climate change.

"It's obvious now that the climate is changing, so it's a good time to get [the information] in front of transportation folks to help them understand the climate issue, what is transportation's role in it, and what can be done to both adapt to a changing climate and reduce the impact," she said.

[Ezlivin]

1. I've got proof in my driveway

We hit a new record of 107° on Friday.

Today I found a huge crack in my driveway over an inch wide and several feet long. It must have sounded like a gunshot when it split.

The drought and heat is just beating the hell out of our infrastructure. My driveway is a very, very minor example of the toll it takes.

[xchrom]

2. might be minor but it's still an example. nt

[1StrongBlackMan]

3. But .. But ...

Climate change is just a myth ... So says my fox-watching, rightwing conservative friend, who a principle in a small electrical contracting firm.

I once asked him his his firm thought about moving into installing alternative energy sources, like solar, since the sun shine 365 days a year here in Arizona.

His answer ... "No, Solar Energy is a myth."

[NickB79]

4. No need for studies, just ask these unlucky bastards

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/suv-airborne-video-140712287.html

Oh shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitttt!

[glinda]

5. I want to know why they roads and humungo parking lots are not white.

They are paving highways and roads all around us right now and the signs say "fresh oil". Really? Fresh Oil....get rid of the product!