Climate Change Resilience of Transport

Summary

Future climate projections predict significant changes in seasonal weather patterns. These will have profound effects on transport infrastructure. For example, rising sea-levels will damage coastal transport networks, increased heat will result in increased highway rutting and railway buckling, and changes in rainfall will result in increased transport earthwork failures. Much of existing transport infrastructure is not well-suited to cope with the increased demands due to climate change. Therefore disruption to transport networks is a significant threat. Thus, this project will study projected changes in climate and their effect on transport infrastructure. Then, new methodologies will be developed to make transport networks more resilient to climate change.

Some transport engineering challenges associated with climate change include:

Rainfall: Changes in rainfall and evapotranspiration result in changes in moisture levels within transport earthworks and subgrades. This can result in geotechnical instabilities, slope collapse and increased rates of settlement.

Flooding: An increased frequency of high-impact rainfall events will result in more frequent flooding of transport networks. These events will reduce the stability of railway assets and cause washouts.

Sea-level rise: Rising sea levels cause overtopping of sea defences and also increased degradation of sea defence assets.
Storms: Increased storm frequency and intensity can cause high winds and sea swells. High winds can result in transport vehicles being blown off their guideway (particularly elevated structures such as bridges and embankments) and debris blown onto the network.

Heat: Temperature changes have cause the expansion of steel railway rails which can result in track buckling and thus derailments. Increased heat also causes railway overhead lines to sag, increasing the likelihood of dewirements. Also, it causes rutting of asphalt highway structures.

The candidate will identify their preferred area of climate change study and investigate it using a combination of numerical modelling and field data analysis. Due to the novelty of the research and model development, there is the opportunity to write multiple world-leading, international journal papers on the subject. Considering the international nature of the research, candidates will be expected to attend international conferences if required.

Applicants to research degree programmes should normally have at least a first class or an upper second class British Bachelors Honours degree (or equivalent) in an appropriate discipline. The criteria for entry for some research degrees may be higher, for example, several faculties, also require a Masters degree. Applicants are advised to check with the relevant School prior to making an application. Applicants who are uncertain about the requirements for a particular research degree are advised to contact the School or Graduate School prior to making an application.

The minimum English language entry requirement for research postgraduate research study is an IELTS of 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in each component (reading, writing, listening and speaking) or equivalent. The test must be dated within two years of the start date of the course in order to be valid. Some schools and faculties have a higher requirement.