Vulnerability of Nunavik Airports to Climate Change and Adaptation Strategies

University of Calgary PRISM: University of Calgary's Digital Repository

Van Horne Institute Van Horne Institute

2005-11 Vulnerability of Nunavik Airports to Climate Change and Adaptation Strategies

Guimond, Anick

Northern Transportation Conference 2005 November 8, 9, 10, 2005; Explorer Hotel Yellowknife, Northwest Territories http://hdl.handle.net/1880/44355 Presentation

Downloaded from PRISM: https://prism.ucalgary.ca Québec Ministère des Transports Vulnerability of Nunavik Airports to Climate Change and Adaptation Strategies

Northern Transportation Conference November 8, 9 and 10, 2005 Yellowknife, NT Anick Guimond Québec Ministère des Transports

To Iqaluit

-14 Airports in Nunavik -13 MTQ Airports : 55o - 11 Airstrips: 3 500 ft *100 ft Whapmagoostui - 2 Airstrips: 5 000 ft *100 / 150 ft To Montréal - All graveled Québec Ministère des Transports

Source: Natural Resources Canada Québec Ministère des Transports

Recent Climate Trends in Nunavik

MEAN ANNUAL TEMPERATURE IN NUNAVIK

3 5 7 9 1 3 5 7 9 1 3 5 7 9 1 3 5 7 9 1 3 5 7 9 1 5 5 5 5 6 6 6 6 6 7 7 7 7 7 8 8 8 8 8 9 9 9 9 9 0 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 0,00

-2,00

-4,00 s u i c

l -6,00 e C -8,00

-10,00

-12,00 YEARS Kuujuaq Kuujjuaraapik Inukjuak

Source: M. Allard, CEN, U. Laval Québec Ministère des Transports

Permafrost Warming in Nunavik – Salluit Airport

Significant warming observed from 1991 to 2001 At Salluit airport, the permafrost has warmed by almost to 2°C.

Source: M. Allard, CEN, U. Laval Québec Ministère des Transports

Warming Impacts on Infrastructures, Airstrips and Access Roads

Types of impact:

! Settlement on the edge of airstrip embankment

! Settlement across airstrips and access roads

! Airstrip drainage change Québec Ministère des Transports

Settlement on the edge of airstrip embankment Québec Ministère des Transports

Settlement across airstrips Québec Ministère des Transports

Settlement across access roads

2004 2005 Québec Ministère des Transports

Airstrip drainage change Québec Ministère des Transports

Remarks

! Existing airstrips were designed on the basis of constant temperature.

! Maintenance costs of problematic infrastructures have increased.

! Snow removal methods and the effect of snow accumulation along airstrips were not taken into consideration during construction.

! Lack of information regarding soil and its ice content.

! Predictions on impact of permafrost thawing are hard to establish with existing data.

! Existing design is not suited for paving. Québec Ministère des Transports

Research and Work Completed

! Identiﬁcation of impact of permafrost thawing on transportation infrastructures. ! Identiﬁcation of vulnerable infrastructures. ! Permafrost characterization at airports. ! Installation or restoration of thermistors; gathering of temperature data. ! Installation of settlement plates where major depressions occur. ! Adaptation of technical airstrip inspections. ! Geophysical investigations (Ground Penetrating Radar and Seismic Refraction). Québec Ministère des Transports Upcoming Research and Work

! Complete the research project on the impact of permafrost thawing on transportation infrastructures in Nunavik.

! Continue monitoring of permafrost temperature evolution, using thermistors.

! Continue monitoring of settlement plates.

! Implement a snow accumulation monitoring procedure.

! Interpret geophysical datas.

! Conduct an experimental research project on methods mitigating the impact of permafrost degradation on transportation facilities (Air Convective Embankment / Heat Drain / Reﬂective Surface).

! Implement adaptation methods on vulnerable infrastructures. Québec Ministère des Transports

Québec Strategy on Climate Change - Draft Stratégie québécoise de lutte aux changements climatiques – Projet

!The government strategy will aim to reduce GHG emissions and to adapt to climate change impacts.

!Possible involvement of all sectors of economic activities.

!The strategy could be made public by the end of 2005, and be subject to public consultation.

!Bilateral Québec-Canada agreement on climate change is under negotiation. Québec Ministère des Transports

Transport Issues in the Quebec Strategy on Climate Change - Adaptation

!Permafrost thaw and its impacts on transport infrastructures in Nunavik.

!Increase in coastal erosion due to sea level rising; increase in number and intensity of extreme weather events.

!The St. Lawrence River and its infrastructures through a better knowledge of apprehended ﬂuctuations in water levels.

!Winter infrastructure maintenance adapted to new conditions ensuing from variation in precipitation regime and freeze/thaw cycles. Québec Ministère des Transports

Transport Issues in the Québec Strategy on Climate Change - Reduction

!Develop public awareness about sustainable transportation.

!Support the creation of new public/private partnerships to reduce GHG.

!Foster enhancement of energy efﬁciency of various transportation modes.

!Encourage public transport of persons and car pooling.

!Foster ecoenergy efﬁciency and intermodal freight transport. Québec Ministère des Transports

Acknowledgements

• Gilles GRONDIN, Transports Québec

Michel ALLARD • Northern Villages of Nunavik

Links: www.mtq.gouv.qc.ca/fr/ministere/environnement/climat/index.asp Guy DORÉ www.cen.ulaval.ca www.gci.ulaval.ca www.ouranos.ca www.mddep.gouv.qc.ca/Air/inter.htm