Handover of the expert reports to Hessen Mobil

In recent years, damage to the Hessian state road infrastructure has increased. Examples such as road subsidence during periods of drought, cracks in the surface courses during heat or undermining of the road during heavy rainfall events show that climate change also makes it necessary to adapt the “state roads” infrastructure. Not only technical structures, but also the greening of the side areas and the entire operational process play an important role here.

On behalf of and in cooperation with Hessen Mobil – Road and Traffic Management, we have prepared two expert reports at the Department of Spatial and Infrastructure Planning:

Volume 1 – Vulnerability analysis of transport infrastructures to climate impacts

Volume 2 – Basis for a Hessian Priority Programme “Climate Adaptation on State Roads”.

In Volume 1, we show which climate change impacts pose risks to state road infrastructures under which framework conditions. Volume 2 presents a methodology for the identification of risk sections and a prioritisation of rehabilitation under the aspect of criticality. Recommendations for action, adapted to the management of Hessian state roads, are also given.

The press event for the ceremonial handover of the reports took place in Biedenkopf (Central Hesse) and aroused the interest of numerous media representatives. The contents of the report were briefly presented by our team at a rest area of the state road network. Hessen Mobil then used the example of the planned local environment to show which measures from the expert reports could already be incorporated into the planning of the road in the Lahn valley. At the end of the meeting, the press was informed about the background and measures. Prof. Linke emphasised in the interview that heavy rainfall events in particular are among the important points. According to Mrs. Brückner, Vice President of Hessen Mobil, the side areas with their planting must also be given special consideration.

The department is pleased about the positive feedback and thanks for the very constructive cooperation.

Press reports can be found here:

Sat1 (TV-Beitrag): https://www.1730live.de/auswirkungen-des-klimawandels-auf-den-strassenbau/

• FFH (Artikel): https://www.ffh.de/nachrichten/hessen/mittelhessen/381830-klimawandel-veraendert-strassenbau-gutachten-von-hessen-mobil.html

• RTL (TV-Beitrag): https://plus.rtl.de/video-tv/shows/rtl-hessen-898116/2023-10-983994/episode-211-thema-u-a-hessische-industrie-schlaegt-alarm-950350

• Hessen Mobil (Artikel): https://mobil.hessen.de/presse/gefaehrdungen-der-strasseninfrastrukturen-in-hessen-durch-die-folgen-des-klimawandels