Extreme weather impacts on transport systems

This report summarises the work done in 7 FP project EWENT, its first work package. D1 deliverable introduces a review of extreme weather phenomena and identifies their impacts and consequences on European transport system. All modes of transport are covered. Two main methods are used. First, there is an extensive literature review on extreme weather events and their impacts and consequences. Well over 150 scientific and professional references are studied and listed. This is followed by a review of media reported cases, almost 200 of them. With the help of these two methods and material they provide, critical threshold values for most relevant weather phenomena that affect different transport modes are listed. The phenomena have impacts and consequences which result in deterioration in the service level of transportation system. A dozen different impact mechanisms are charted and annexed to this report. Finally, brief summary of results is drawn, including a first-impressiondiscussion on strategic implications. Precipitation in all its forms (water, snow, hail) seems to dominate the harmful impacts. Road transport system seems to be the most vulnerable of modes.