The guidance document focuses on extreme heat management in public transport systems, emphasizing resilience against rising temperatures. It examines the effects of extreme heat on infrastructure, public health, the environment, and the economy, reinforcing public transport’s role in equitable development.
The document presents a framework for heat resilience, including baseline research, stakeholder planning, and integrated design strategies such as nature-based and risk-informed approaches. It outlines practical solutions across transport phases, shaded walkways, cooling systems at stops, and retrofitted vehicles, to minimize heat exposure. It also promotes heat-resilient materials, clean energy fleets, and enhanced communication systems for better preparedness.
Designed for policymakers and operators, the document offers actionable recommendations and real-world examples, such as Helsinki’s optimized transport frequency, to support the creation of sustainable and climate-adaptive public transport networks that ensure safety and efficiency in extreme heat conditions.
Key points
- Extreme heat threatens transport infrastructure, health, environment, and economy, demanding resilience.
- Public transport needs adaptive strategies to ensure safety, accessibility, and efficiency.
- Framework integrates research, stakeholder planning, nature-based, and risk-informed resilience approaches.
- Recommendations: shaded walkways, cooling systems, retrofitted vehicles for passenger comfort.
- Heat resilience includes sustainable materials, clean energy, and improved communication systems.
- Green infrastructure reduces urban heat, reducing transit hub temperatures significantly.