Publication: Heatwaves and Their Effects on Transportation Systems: A Comprehensive Review
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2025-09-15
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2025-09-15
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The impact of increased temperature on transportation infrastructure and services is a critical yet often underexplored component of disaster risk management and climate change research. Transportation systems are the backbone of economies worldwide, facilitating the movement of people and goods. However, they are also highly susceptible to temperature variations. Increased temperatures can compromise the integrity of infrastructure, leading to decreased service life, increased maintenance costs, and potential safety hazards. Fifty flights were grounded in Arizona in 2017 because of extreme heat. Without improvements to infrastructure—such as lengthened runways—this could mean 200 to 900 flights grounded annually by 2030, and 500 to 2,200 grounded annually by 2050. Over the last 40 years, railroad buckling (or “sun kinks”) in the United States caused more than 2,100 derailments. . As the climate changes, heat and other extreme weather can cause equipment issues, delays, passenger discomfort, and safety risks for travelers and workers. Transportation infrastructure and services urgently require evidence-driven adaptation protocols to enhance preparedness as extreme heat events intensify worldwide.
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“Ukkusuri, S.V.; Mittal, S.; Park, S.U.; Jones , N.; Avner, P.; Romero, N.. 2025. Heatwaves and Their Effects on Transportation Systems: A Comprehensive Review. © World Bank. http://hdl.handle.net/10986/43727 License: CC BY-NC 3.0 IGO.”
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