Organisation: University of Birmingham, School of Geography, Earth & Environmental Sciences,
Date uploaded: 12th February 2013
Date published/launched: January 2011
This paper uses UKCIP climate change scenarios and a temporal analogue to investigate the relationship between temperature and severe road accidents in the West Midlands, UK.
The study showed that:
• The length of the winter season will be reduced over the next 80 years.
• The number of accidents caused due to slipperiness will decrease by 43%.
• There will be a reduction in the quantity of salt required in the winter road maintenance.
It is demonstrated that the predicted reduction in the number of frost days should in turn reduce the number of road accidents caused due to slipperiness by approximately 50%. However, the paper concludes by warning against complacency in winter maintenance regimes. A warmer climate may result in budget cuts for highway maintenance which in turn may well reverse declining accident trends.
For more information contact:
Dr Lee Chapman
T: 0121 414 7435