Risk assessment framework for Mediterranean airports: a focus on extreme temperatures and precipitations and sea level rise

Abstract

The increase of frequency and severity of extreme weather events due to climate change gives evidence of severe challenges faced by infrastructure systems. Among them, the aviation sector is particularly at risk from the potential consequences of climate change. Airports are classified as critical infrastructures because they provide fundamental functions to sustain societies and economic activities. More specifically, Mediterranean airports face risks associated with sea level rise, higher occurrence of extreme temperature and precipitation events. These aspects require the implementation of appropriate risk assessments and definition of targeted adaptation strategies, which are still limited in the Mediterranean region. The aim of the present paper is to provide theoretical frameworks in order to assess risks of climate change on Mediterranean airports, related to extreme temperature, extreme precipitation and sea level rise. Starting from a review of the literature, we first identify the sources of climate risk that may induce potential impacts on airports, here divided in air side and land side components. In order to do so, we select a series of indicators used as proxies for identifying hazard, exposure and vulnerability. The application of these theoretical frameworks allows defining the level of risk associated to each hazard, with the goal to support the identification of specific adaptation measures for the Mediterranean airports.

Analysis of Expected Climate Extreme Variability with Regional Climate Simulations over Napoli Capodichino Airport: A Contribution to a Climate Risk Assessment Framework

“…This matrix could aid in identifying the strength and weaknesses of the airport to improve the climate change resilience, in order to support stakeholders in the identification of suitable adaptation strategies. According with [14], specific indicators must be used as proxies for identifying not only hazards, but also exposure and vulnerability characteristics. Those indicators are linked to physical (such as age, percentage of impervious surfaces) and socioeconomic features (e.g., air traffic, number of passengers).…”

“…They found that the take-off distance required for the medium-sized passenger jet Airbus A 320 increased by an average of 2.7 m/year, while for the smaller de Havilland DHC8-400, it was by 1.4 m/year. In a recent study, De Vivo et al [14] proposed a methodology aimed to define the climate risk level on airports in the Mediterranean region.…”

Potential Sea Level Rise Inundation in the Mediterranean: From Susceptibility Assessment to Risk Scenarios for Policy Action

“…The project highlighted that 163 Mediterranean coastal plains are highly prone to marine flooding because of sea level rise for 2100, land subsidence, tsunamis and storms. Many studies are also focused on the assessment of the potential sea level impacts on critical infrastructures, such as ports [44], airports [45,46], and railways (e.g., ongoing study financed by the Italian Ministry of Sustainable Infrastructures and Mobility).…”

Resilience Indicator of Urban Transport Infrastructure: A Review on Current Approaches

“…Franchin [93] Cox [33], Serre [94], Johnsen and Veen [90], Bialas [89], and LaLone et al [95] use social indicators, such as decisions of spatial management, Twitter discussion, shelter-seeking populations, etc. De Vivo et al [96] considers the number of green walls and roofs as an indicator to assess the resilience of airports. The application and reliability of all the above indicators should be discussed in future studies for the resilience assessment of TIs.…”