Evidence-based climate adaptation strategies for active transport

Hot conditions can trigger health issues, cause significant discomfort, alter the frequency and patterns of outdoor activity and boost private vehicle use, leading to public health impacts and increased energy consumption. As such, Perth’s active transport network must be adapted to current and projected climatic conditions to facilitate and support people to walk, wheel and ride as part of their everyday journeys and experiences.

In response, this project will model current and projected thermal conditions across the Primary Network to identify hotspots of vulnerability to heat stress and devise evidence-based climate adaptation strategies to mitigate heat stress on paths.

Participants

• Department of Transport (WA)
• Main Roads Western Australia
• University of Western Australia

Project background

Australia has much to lose from a changing climate. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warns that the country ‘faces an extremely challenging future that will be highly disruptive for many human and natural systems.’

Indeed, extreme heat conditions significantly disturb people’s thermoregulation, which can have severe consequences, including heat rash, heat cramps, exhaustion, dehydration, kidney failure, and breathing problems. Moreover, hot conditions can cause significant discomfort, altering the frequency and patterns of outdoor activities and reducing the level of exercise.

The combined effects of heat stress, retreat to interior environments, and more significant private vehicle use lead to increased energy consumption and public health impacts.

Nonetheless, we lack specific local evidence about the current and projected thermal conditions in the Primary Network that seeks to facilitate active transport through cycling (for commuting or recreation) and walking. This information is essential as governments seek to encourage active transport to address public health challenges, traffic congestion and emission reduction.

Project objectives

The aim of this project is to generate evidence to inform solutions concerning the climate change adaptation of Primary Network to projected temperature increases and foster active, healthy and climate-resilient communities.

Phase 1 objectives

• Benchmark and model typical thermal conditions across the Primary Network to identify hotspots of vulnerability to heat stress.
• Understand how experiences of thermal discomfort affect Primary Network usage.

Phase 2 objectives

• Model future thermal conditions under different timeframes and climate change projections in vulnerable case studies across the Primary Network.
• Devise evidence-based climate adaptation strategies for the case studies and model the future thermal conditions that result.

Phase 3 objective

• Determine the health economics-related costs and benefits of adapting the Primary Network to increasing heat.

Please note …

This page will be a living record of this project. As it matures, hits milestones, etc., we’ll continue to add information, links, images, interviews and more. Watch this space!