Alaskan Pavement Resilience: Navigating Climate Change in Cold Regions

The global phenomenon of climate change has led to significant environmental transformations, particularly affecting cold regions due to their extreme temperature dynamics. Among the critical elements facing the consequences of climate change in these regions are pavement structures, essential components of roadway, and airport infrastructure. This study explores the repercussions of climate change on pavement structures within cold regions, focusing specifically on shifts in temperature patterns and, subsequently, frost depth. Through the analysis of temperature records, this research investigates the annual average temperatures, emphasizing trends spanning multiple decades. Complementary to this, freezing degree day data are utilized to compute frost penetration depths and establish average trends over the same extended timeframe. By comparing three prominent Alaskan regions in terms of both temperature variations and frost penetration, the study aims to discern the direct implications of climate change. The regression analysis reveals noteworthy statistical changes in frost penetration depths across all studied locations. Projecting from current trends, future estimates for frost penetration indicate potential variations of around 15 cm over a 40-year period, contingent on the region. This study not only investigates if tangible effects of climate change on pavement structures exist but also offers valuable insights into potential long-term consequences for infrastructure in cold regions.