THE IMPORTANCE OF PERMAFROST, ICE AND SEASONALLY FROZEN GROUND TO ROAD SYSTEMS IN CANADA

摘要

Transportation in support of natural resource development and agriculture in Canada’scold regions utilizes a roadway system that can be reliant upon permafrost, ice and/orseasonally frozen ground.Road structures on permafrost are discussed and include specific aspects of performancethat can be linked to climate change. Selected case studies in Canada’s north arepresented to describe the issues and adaptations.Winter and Ice Roads are used extensively in Canada to resupply remote communitiesand to support resource development. The Tibbitt to Contwoyto Winter Road isinfrastructure that supports the diamond mining industry in the Northwest Territories. Thiscase study is used to demonstrate how climate change has impacted the operation andinitiated the development of new technologies to optimize the shortening operatingseason.Seasonal weight limits play a significant role in the economy of the prairie region ofCanada. It is important to consider potential changes in seasonal weight limits as a resultof climate change. The aspects of seasonal weight limits that are vulnerable to climatechange and possible adaptation strategies are discussed.The paper concludes by making some summary statements on what this means in termsof reshaping the Canadian approach to transportation infrastructure management inCanada’s cold regions.