A framework for the mitigation and adaptation from heat-related risks to infrastructure

The rising frequency of heat-related hazards as a result of climate change will increasingly affect heat-sensitive infrastructure assets. Recent studies quantify the heat-related risk to infrastructure, with some exploration of individual mitigation strategies, however missing in literature is an infrastructure sector-transferable and comprehensive framework for analyzing future risk and performing evaluation of several options for risk reduction. This paper introduces a generic framework to: quantify heat-related risks to infrastructure assets in a transferable manner; assess the effects of future exogenous systems changes, and; evaluate several practical mitigation strategies. The framework is applied to the asphalt road network in Adelaide, Australia. This case study explores heat-related risk under present and future climate hazard and traffic stressor scenarios and critical evaluation of mitigation strategies. The strategies explored affect both hazard and vulnerability elements of risk, including: asphalt binder materials, reflectivity additives, and traffic volume, loading or speed management. Results indicate up to a 19% increase in risk from 2020 to 2090 as a result of climate change. Road replacement strategies are identified as most effective, reducing risk by up to 33% in 2090. The framework shows value in developing comprehensive and practical strategies for managing heat-sensitive infrastructure assets into the future.

Automated summary

This study introduces a generic framework for quantifying and evaluating heat-related risks to infrastructure assets and explores mitigation strategies. Applied to a case study in Adelaide, Australia, the results demonstrate the value of this framework in managing heat-sensitive infrastructure assets.