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Chapter 14TransportationCoordinating Lead AuthorDeb A. Niemeier (University of California, Davis)lead authorsAnne V. Goodchild (University of Washington), Maura Rowell (University ofWashington), Joan L. Walker (University of California, Berkeley), Jane Lin(University of Illinois, Chicago), Lisa Schweitzer (University of Southern California)review editorJoseph L. Schofer (Northwestern University)Executive SummaryThe Southwest transportation network includes major freeways, rail corridors of nationalimportance, and major port- and border-crossing facilities. Recent passenger-traveltrends suggest that vehicle ownership and per capita vehicle miles traveled (VMT) mayhave stabilized across the Southwest, which may be partly attributed to the economicrecession as well as transportation planning strategies such as pricing, transit serviceimprovements, managed lanes, and changes in land-use configurations. However, theSouthwest appears poised to show gains in rail-freight traffic due to imports of foreignproducts, often in containerized cargo or bulk materials.The following key messages highlight major climate issues facing the Southwesttransportation sector:• Many transportation infrastructure projects, currently in planning, design, orconstruction, do not necessarily address the potential effects of climate change.As climate change effects begin to manifest, design and operational vulnerabilitiesof these transportation system elements will appear. (high confidence)Chapter citation: Niemeier, D. A., A. V. Goodchild, M. Rowell, J. L. Walker, J. Lin, and L. Schweitzer.2013. “Transportation.” In Assessment of Climate Change in the Southwest United States: AReport Prepared for the National Climate Assessment, edited by G. Garfin, A. Jardine, R. Merideth, M.Black, and S. LeRoy, 297–311. A report by the Southwest Climate Alliance. Washington, DC: IslandPress.297

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