The Central Road Research Institute (CRRI) under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has come up with a project to assess the impact of climate change on State roads for the next 50 years.
The initiative is part of scientific study, estimated at Rs. 80 crore, to map the impact of climate change on agriculture, fisheries, industries, transport, tourism, bio-diversity and forestry sectors in Kerala. The objective of the study is to develop an integrated climate change contextual database and information system in spatial domain for the State.
CSIR’s National Institute of Science Communication and Information Resources (NISCAIR) is the nodal agency for the project while the Kerala State Council for Science Technology and Environment (KSCSTE) will be the facilitating organisation. The project is expected to be submitted before the Department of Science and Technology for funding soon.
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As per the CRRI’s project proposal, the study will examine the cost upswing for road agency in using modified design and periodic maintenance as a result of projected climate changes, both temperature and rainfall. Experts at the institution will identify alternative road construction materials along with cost-effective maintenance techniques for bituminous roads in the State.
CRRI has pointed out that climate change can have direct and indirect impacts on road infrastructure. The proposal recalled that rainfall changes can alter moisture balances and influence pavement deterioration. In addition, temperature can affect the ageing of bitumen.