news

USDOT unveils Climate Adaptation Plan 2024-2027

5
SHARES

Posted: 21 November 2024 | | No comments yet

USDOT’s 2024-2027 Climate Adaptation Plan focuses on building resilient infrastructure, integrating climate risk into operations and promoting environmental justice through targeted investments.

USDOT unveils Climate Adaptation Plan 2024-2027

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has announced that it has released its 2024-2027 Climate Adaptation Plan (CAP) to enhance climate resilience across transportation infrastructure and federal assets. This plan focuses on supporting investments in climate-smart infrastructure, addressing environmental justice, and integrating climate risk considerations into USDOT operations and programs.

Key CAP highlights

The CAP introduces initiatives to strengthen infrastructure resilience and support vulnerable communities:

  1. Climate Hazard Exposure and Resilience (CHER) Tool: An internal tool that uses climate projection data and vulnerability assessments to create risk scores for USDOT facilities, aiding in climate risk management
  2. Incorporating Resilience into Grant Funding: USDOT now includes climate resilience criteria in discretionary grants across all transportation modes, encouraging climate-adaptive projects
  3. PROTECT Program: Administered by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), this initiative supports resilience projects like evacuation routes and coastal defenses to protect infrastructure from extreme weather
  4. USDOT Order 4360: Issued in September 2023, this policy requires adaptation and resilience in managing USDOT operational assets, prioritising climate risk strategies for internal operations
  5. Equitable Transportation Community (ETC) Explorer: This interactive tool allows users to explore the cumulative effects of transportation underinvestment in marginalised communities, supporting equitable infrastructure planning.

CAP priorities

The CAP is organised around four main priorities:

  • Priority One: Investment in Climate-Smart Infrastructure
    USDOT provides guidance, technical assistance and decision-support tools to build resilient transportation across all modes
  • Priority Two: Linking Climate Resilience and Environmental Justice
    USDOT incorporates environmental justice in grant programmes and technical assistance to address historical inequities and enhance community resilience
  • Priority Three: Leveraging Federal Climate Data
    USDOT provides stakeholders with critical climate data to inform resilience and adaptation efforts
  • Priority Four: Reducing Climate Impacts on Federal Assets
    Through ongoing risk assessments, USDOT is working to minimise climate risks to federal property, ensuring operational continuity.

Looking ahead

The 2024-2027 CAP strengthens USDOT’s ability to respond to climate challenges, safeguarding infrastructure and supporting communities. By integrating resilience and environmental justice across programmes and policies, the agency aims to ensure long-term sustainability and equity in U.S. transportation systems.

read now

NEW REPORT FROM GLOBAL RAILWAY REVIEW: Track Insight – Track Maintenance | Transforming Track Maintenance Through Technology

Our latest expert-led Track Insight explores how industry leaders are revolutionising the future of track maintenance through cutting-edge innovation and real-world strategies.

From automation and robotics now streamlining inspections and repairs, to predictive maintenance powered by IoT sensors and advanced analytics, the rail sector is entering a new era of precision and efficiency. Companies like Goldschmidt, Bentley Systems, and MxV Rail are leading the charge, redefining how infrastructure is managed with AI, machine learning, and digital twins to reduce downtime and extend asset life.

In this new data-rich landscape, organisations such as Amtrak and the Rail Accident Investigation Branch are demonstrating how to turn vast streams of information—from track geometry to environmental monitoring into actionable intelligence for safer, smarter networks.

Download this insightful, practical guide for FREE and see how your operations can evolve – READ FOR FREE NOW!

 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Share via
Share via