Climate Change and Infrastructure Engineers – Addressing the Knowledge Gaps

Presentation to: APEGGA Annual ConferenceApril 15, 2010Jeff WalkerCanadian Standards Association

Agenda

• CSA and Infrastructure• Survey of Infrastructure Engineers• Training Recommendations• CSA Climate Change Training Resources• Other Resources

CSA Standards

HandbooksSmart CD

Mobile Publications

HandbooksSmart CD

Mobile Publications

SeminarseLearning Courses

Customized Training

SeminarseLearning Courses

Customized Training

Infrastructure Scope

• Potable water• Stormwater• Wastewater• Buildings• Transportation• Energy

… Civil, Chemical, Environmental, Electrical, Mechanical and other disciplines

Climate Change and Infrastructure

Climate Change is one of many factors

Service Expectations

Inadequate Maintenance

Public Health And Safety

Security

Changes in Demographics

Funding

ClimateChange

Infrastructure

Intensification

Survey of Infrastructure Engineers

• National in scope• Assisted by 10 provincial and territorial

engineering associations

I believe that a changing climate will affect my engineering decisions in the near future.

82% 87%83%

42%

40% 45%

38%

35%

51%Strongly Agree

Somewhat Agree

42%

46% 38%

42%

40%

38%

78%80%88%

Total(n = 2,060)

Water(n = 294)

Transport’n(n = 250)

Energy(n = 340)

Bldgs(n = 310)

Other(n = 866)

By Infrastructure Category:

To what degree do you consider the impacts of a changing climate in your current engineering decisions?

Sometimes Consider

45%

Never Consider

28%

Mostly Consider

18%

Always Consider 9%

I need much more information to enable me to incorporate the impacts of a changing climate into my engineering practice.

By Infrastructure Category:

73%76%

35%

38% 42%

39%

42%

35%Strongly Agree

Somewhat Agree

31%

47% 39%

38%

29%

37%

66%

77%79%

Total(n = 2,060)

Water(n = 294)

Transport’n(n = 250)

Energy(n = 340)

Bldgs(n = 310)

Other(n = 866)

Preferred Method of Receiving Climate Change Information

Online resources

Published guidelines, best practices, info pamphlets

Articles in engineering publications or journals

Conferences & peer interactions

E-learning courses

30%

29%

14%

8%

5%

14%

Classroom continuing education

Climate Change Knowledge

• CSA consulted with experts• Solutions exist• Applied research exists• Knowledge continues to evolve …• And can be more fully utilized• More research is needed

Climate Change Program of Study

• Flexibility - Menu of options• Integrate Climate Change into other topics• Technical and Non-technical topics• Connect the dots

Recommended Topics for Practicing Engineers - General

• Risk• Emergency preparedness and response• Financial, social, environmental

implications• Science and impacts of climate change• Multidiscipline planning

Recommended Topics for Practicing Engineers - Technical

• Impacts and adaptations for storm water management

• Adaptations for road drainage structures • Energy efficiency for buildings• Impacts on hydroelectric generation• Adapting to melting permafrost

CSA Educational Resources

Courses• Sustainable stormwater management - Fundamentals• Sustainable stormwater management – Designing road and

parking lot infiltration systems• Emergency management and business continuity• Is climate change changing your business• Climate change adaptation – Tools and techniques

Publications• Infrastructure in permafrost – A guide for climate change

Sustainable stormwater management Fundamentals

• In-class instructor led• Identified priority • Advances are not

being recognized• Addresses multiple

issues• Inform not promote

Making standards work for people and business

Stormwater Management: An Overview

Module 1 Issue X, Rev.0 Slide 4 /95

Culvert ImprovementsCulvert Improvements

Major/ Minor System Design

Erosion/Flood Control Works

Runoff Quantity Control

Floodplain Management

Culvert Improvements

Major/ Minor System Design

Erosion/Flood Control Works

Runoff Quantity Control

Floodplain Management

Erosion/Sediment Control

Water Quality

Culvert Improvements

Major/ Minor System Design

Erosion/Flood Control Works

Runoff Quantity Control

Floodplain Management

Erosion/Sediment Control

Water Quality

Fisheries/ Aquatic Habitat

Baseflow Maintenance

Water Temperature

Infiltration

Enhancement Opportunities

Monitoring

Culvert Improvements

Major/ Minor System Design

Erosion/Flood Control Works

Runoff Quantity Control

Floodplain Management

Erosion/Sediment Control

Water Quality

Fisheries/ Aquatic Habitat

Baseflow Maintenance

Water Temperature

Infiltration

Enhancement Opportunities

Monitoring

Woodlots

Wetlands/ ESAs/ ANSIs

Ground Water

Terrestrial Habitat

Geomorphology

Minor System Design

The Evolution of Stormwater Management

Sustainable stormwater management Roads and parking lots

• In-class instructor led• “How to” • Benefits and risks• Analysis methods• Technical / Financial /

Environmental

Making standards work for people and business

Designing Road and Parking Lot Infiltration Systems

Module 3 Issue A, Rev.0 Slide 19 / 153

Design Process Steps

Step 1: Compute the desired aggregate pre and post-

development runoff volume for the site as a whole.

Step 2: Divide the site into its individual impervious and

pervious components.

Step 3: Apply simple equations for each SWM application

(mm reduced and area treated).

Step 4: Progressively work down-gradient from the site,

tracking the progressive accumulation of runoff reduction

volume, taking care not to double count.

Step 5: Compare final post-development runoff volume

achieved over the site to the target, and then treat the

remainder in conventional practice (pond or wetland).

Emergency Management and Business Continuity

• In-class instructor led• Identify critical

infrastructure• Analyze hazards• Assess risks• Develop plans

Is Climate Change Changing Your Business

• eLearning course• Overview

o Science of Climate Changeo Impactso Adapting to Climate Changeo Mitigationo Risks

Climate change adaptation – Tools and techniques

• eLearning course• Desire for action - Unfamiliarity with

resources• Issues and concepts• “Road map” of resources• Overcoming barriers

Infrastructure in Permafrost

• Guideline for decision-makers

• Permafrost is a foundation material

• Climate change alters traditional approaches

• Risk assessments and climate modeling

Other Training Resources

Engineers Canada – PIEVC infrastructure vulnerability assessments

Environment Canada – Understanding global climate model output sessions

Transportation Association of Canada – Guideline for transportation structures in permafrost

NRCan – Dollars to Sense Energy Management Workshops

In Summary

• Climate change affects engineering• Education is needed• One size does not fit all• Information can address multiple issues• Resources exist – but must be used

Climate Change and Infrastructure Engineering

www.infraengineers.ca

Municipal Infrastructure Solutions Program

www.csa.ca/infrastructure

Email - jeff.walker@csa.ca