In recent years, the UK has witnessed an increase in the intensity of rain storms which have resulted in an increased incidence of flooding both in terms of local flash floods and wide spread longer term events.
The lack of predictability of these events has compounded their effect. In addition the UK has more recently experienced a vast increase in periods of severe winter weather, such as unusually heavy snowfall, which resulted in widespread disruption to Britain’s transport network; identified areas of improvement required in the supply chain, and; had a significant impact upon commerce and general life throughout the nation.
Despite recent events, the UK generally experiences a temperate climate. Periods of extreme heat and drought in the summer, or extreme cold in the winter, are generally rare events compared with other European countries. This makes it harder to plan and prepare for adverse weather events, because it is difficult to predict and plan when resources should be employed.
The aim of this section of the ICE website is to draw together current research and guidance from the industry to assist Municipal and Highway Engineers in making the necessary informed decisions relating to the design of new infrastructure as well as helping them to influence decisions on maintenance regimes and budgeting. This includes:
- Ability to predict events;
- Ability to respond to events;
- Design and maintenance;
- Traffic Management & Network Recovery;
- Parliamentary Acts: Highways and traffic management;
- Salt reserves and treatment strategies;
- Public communications and expectations;
- Public participation and responsibility.
This series of web pages on managing the highway in periods of extreme weather conditions provide an overview and directs users to the information and literature available on key considerations for dealing with critical road transport infrastructure in the face of more adverse weather.
In the interest of the ICE's aim of sharing good engineering practice, we would be pleased to receive information from highway engineers of good practice in their local area, or how engineers have helped overcome a particularly difficult weather related scenario.
For further information, or to submit your experiences, please contact Adam Kirkup at transport.ice.org.uk