As the effects of extreme weather events are felt more frequently in the NYMTC planning area, greater emphasis in being placed on implementing strategies to make the transportation network more resilient.
In recent years, Superstorm Sandy, Hurricane Lee and Tropical Storm Irene made clear the urgency of strengthening the region's roads and transit systems to better withstand flooding, by storm surge or heavy rainfall, as well as heat waves, and wind generated by severe storms. System resiliency will need to be improved at all levels through greater planning coordination between operations, management, infrastructure, and policy.
Improving the resiliency of the transportation system was included in Plan 2040's regional goals: The Plan include various strategies for climate adaptation throughout the entire transportation system and stresses the importance of collaboration between all member agencies in planning for future severe weather events. Greater resiliency will mitigate the adverse impacts of disruptions on the movement of people and goods due to weather, climate, or other acts of nature.
The following outcomes are associated with the regional resiliency goal:
- Adaptation measures for critical components of the transportation system to accommodate variable and unexpected conditions without catastrophic failure;
- Greater resiliency of the regional supply chain by identifying options for goods movement during and after events;
- Cooperative partnerships with federal, state, local agencies, and other stakeholders to adapt the transportation system and improve recovery from disruptions.