To fulfil the global sustainable development goals (SDGs), achieving sustainable development is becoming urgent, not least in the transportation sector. In response to this, the sustainability framework Sustainability National Road Administrations (SUNRA) was developed to contribute to improving the sustainability performance of national road administrations across Europe. In the present study, the framework has been tested, applied and further developed to be applicable for target setting and follow-up at the project level at both the Swedish Transport Administration (STA) and at municipal levels. The aim was a framework relevant for investment, re-investments, maintenance and operation projects and also to make it more user applicable. The study also investigated how the framework can contribute to sustainability, identified drivers and barriers for applying the framework and examined whether the framework can be applied and adapted to projects of different complexities. The adaptations and developments were done in collaboration between researchers and practitioners. The results show that the framework could easily be used and adapted for investment, re-investment, maintenance and operation projects in the planning stage, as well as for small municipal establishments, construction or reconstruction of residential areas and frequent maintenance. The framework contributes to increased awareness on sustainability, and it provides a common structure and transparency on how infrastructure project goals/targets are set and fulfilled. The framework can also be applied to follow the fulfilment of the goals/targets and thereby adapt the project to better fulfil the goals. Identified barriers include the lack of obligations and lack of experience in using sustainability frameworks.

Coal tar was used in Sweden for the production of asphalt and for the drenching of stabilization gravel until 1973. The tar has high concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), some of which may be strongly carcinogenic. Approximately 20 million tonnes of tar-containing asphalt is present in the public roads in Sweden. Used asphalt from rebuilding can be classified as hazardous waste according to the Swedish Waste Act. The cost of treating the material removed as hazardous waste can be very high due to the large amount that has to be treated, and the total environmental benefit is unclear. The transport of used asphalt to landfill or combustion will affect other environmental targets. The present project, based on three case studies of road projects in Sweden, evaluates the consequences of four scenarios for handling the material: reuse, landfill, biological treatment, and incineration. The results show that reuse of the coal tar-containing materials in new road construction is the most favorable alternative in terms of cost, material use, land use, energy consumption, and air emissions.

Landslide risk is a function of the probability of the event and its consequences. Previous research has shown that preventive measures to reduce the risk are preferred over reactive measures but, especially in developing countries, rarely undertaken. A contributing factor is the lack of evidence that preventive measures pay. This study includes a brief overview of landslide risk management in general and an investigation of the present risk management situation in Sweden based on interviews in 11 municipalities complemented with interviews in Norway. The result shows that climate change has become part of the general awareness and started to be taken into account in the municipal spatial planning. Landslide susceptibility maps and databases are useful tools in the complex spatial planning. The results indicate that the application of landslide susceptibility and risk maps as previously applied for preventive measures and spatial planning in the landslide prone area Gota alv river valley have been cost effective. Improved documentation and more active communication among different stakeholders would, however, contribute to more effective landslide management.

I denna rapport redovisas det arbete som pågått inom ESS-programmets första fas inom temaområde naturolyckor. Detta temaområde innefattar skred, ras, erosion och översvämningar. Målet med det arbete som presenteras i denna rapport har varit att skapa en överblick över hurman idag arbetar med dessa frågor i Sverige med fokus på kommunal nivå. Arbetet utgörs aven sammanställning av tidigare studier, beskrivning av metoder samt intervjuer med svenska och norska kommuner och myndigheter. I de svenska kommunerna har politiker och tjänstemän intervjuats.

Förebyggande åtgärder för att minska sannolikheten för, eller konsekvensen av, olyckor vidtas ofta. Åtgärderna är baserade på en analys eller akut reaktion på en specifik händelse. Vissa åtgärder är platsspecifika och kan vara både fysiska och icke fysiska. Andra åtgärder är mer generella såsom lagstiftning och utbildningsinsatser, regional, nationell och internationell policy, direktiv och ramverk.

Every year flooding and landslides cause severe material damages and thousands of deaths and injuries. To reduce the risk, measures can be taken by applying different management strategies either by reducing the probability of the event or by reducing the potential consequences in case of an event. This chapter provides a systematic (step-by-step) guidance, a brief overview of landslide and flood risk management in general and a summary of an investigation of the present risk management situation in Sweden which has resulted in some general recommendations. Examples of general recommendations are to apply available knowledge, for example by learning from existing good examples and, when available, lessons learned and documentation of the rational argumentation made in the decision process. There is a request of checklists and guides that can be used in the current daily work among planners and risk managers. It is important with a broad basis for decisions, therefore integrated assessments and valuations are recommended for example by applying multi-criteria analysis methodology and involving relevant stakeholders in the process for example through well working networks. It is further important to counteract the current trend that more automatic monitoring results in less field monitoring and reduced local knowledge.

According to climate change scenarios, Swedish summers will be drier, but in large parts of Sweden there will also be increased annual precipitation, more intensive precipitation and periods with increased water flows. In many areas the risk for landslides is expected to increase. In response to this the SGI, on commission of the Environmental ministry, has started a risk analysis for the Göta river valley. The results of the analysis will be used in the surveillance of the safety along the Göta river valley. The valley is one of the most frequent landslide valleys in Sweden.

The area has a long history of anthropogenic activities such as settlements, shipping, industry, contaminated soil and infrastructure including large roads and railroads. A number of landslides occur every year. The landslide risk analysis of Göta river valley is performed by traditional technical risk analysis, i.e. a function of hazard probability and consequences of the hazard. Elements at risk in the valley include for example, human life, transport and other infrastructure, properties and industrial activities, contaminated land, agriculture and forestry, and intangibles such as biodiversity. Exposure, vulnerability and the monetary value related to the landslide are used to describe the consequence of the landslide.

This paper shows the process and structure of this consequence analysis for natural hazards. The consequence analysis methodology can be applied generic both nationally and internationally and for several types of natural hazards such as landslides and flooding.

De komponenter i kreosoten som har hög vattenslöslighet har störst potential att transporteras med vatten och därmed också reduceras mikrobiellt i marken. Detta gäller både föroreningar som lakats ut och som föreligger i marken till följd av spill. Kreosotens mer hydrofoba komponenter, så som tyngre PAH, har låg biotillgänglighet i jord och de har också lägst potential i löst fas för att transporteras i marken. Under vissa förhållanden har dock högre PAH-halter än förväntat baserat på löslighet funnits i grundvatten nedströms kreosotförorenade områden. Detta förklaras med att de transporterats i grundvattnet med hjälp av mobila partiklar, så kallad kolloid-faciliterad transport. PAH i jord är troligtvis mindre tillgängligt för terrestra rotsystem än vad PAH i akvatisk miljö är för akvatiska rotsystem. Flera studier har visat på att biotillgängligheten av PAH i mark avtar med tiden och att dessa ämnen på så sätt skulle utgöra en lägre risk efter att de åldrats i marken.

De studier som redovisats i denna rapport fram till och med avsnitt 5 behandlar spridning för relativt höga halter kreosot som man uppmätt till följd av spill i samband med impregnering vid impregneringsanläggning eller vid banvallen. Avgörande för riskerna med spridning av kreosot från dagens kreosotbehandlade sliprar är om det sker en utlakning i samband med lagring samt användning i banvall. Om det sker en utlakning är det också av betydelse att bedöma i vilken omfattning samt om den är betydande på vilket sätt den urlakade kreosotkomponenterna sprids vidare i samt från banvallen.

This report presents a summary analysis of how climate change may affect Swedish naval and aviation. The aim was to provide a basis for an action plan on climate adaptation within the two sectors. The action plan will be developed by the Maritime and Aviation Department of the Swedish Transport Agency.

The potential climate change outlined in this report are all based on scenarios included in the compilations of potential climate change at global level by the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC, 2014) and calculations of SMHI for Sweden.

The expected air temperature increase will affect the flight specifically, as increased heat reduces the aircraft's lifting ability. This leads to reduced load capacity and at very high temperatures can lead to cancellation and delay of flights.

Reduced ice coverage is expected to result in longer shipping season and reduced need for icebreaking measures. For the Baltic Sea, the reduced ice coverage may result changes in type and distribution form of the ice. Airports will have a reduced need for deicing and also for the use of salt and chemicals for road and other land improvements.

The flood risk caused by high water levels, prolonged precipitation, heavy rainfall and storms is expected to increase in large parts of Sweden. This may affect the accessibility of all road and rail traffic and there are already occasions with long shut-off times, which may affect both accessibility to and from airports and ports, as well as other activities involving flights and shipping. Ports and coastal airports may need to be adapted to maintain their activities and operations.

On the 9 February 2017, The National Road and Transport Research Institute (VTI) received the governmental commission to continue previous research on socio-economic costs of traffic by developing new knowledge and update the existing knowledge base. As part of this mission, an assessment of the impact on the climate and the national environmental objectives of internalizing external costs was included. The transport sector has a direct or indirect impact on virtually all Swedish environmental quality objectives. This report focusses on road traffic and the environmental quality objectives that were considered in the previous governmental commission SAMKOST 2 and where relevant quantifiable targets, specifications and indicators were available: Limited climate impact, Fresh air, Only natural acidification, No eutrophication and noise as a part of the environmental quality objective Good built environment.

According to results presented in this report, a taxation corresponding to 100 percent internalization would, if imposed in 2016, contribute to a 2 percent (ca 0,4 million ton) decrease in emissions of carbon dioxide 2030 in comparison to current internalization degrees. Such an estimated change is small in relation to the calculation uncertainties due to for example uncertainties about traffic development, price elasticity, technological development, economic development, the development of prices of oil etc. To achieve the objective of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from domestic transport (except aviation) by 70 percent by year 2030 compared with 2010, would need additional instruments and measures than those which have already been decided to reduce the emissions by a further 1–3 million ton or 5–15 percent. An increase in the current carbon dioxide tax from SEK 1.14 per kg of carbon dioxide to SEK 2 per kg of CO2 will reduce emissions by an additional 1.6 million ton or 8 percent more than achieved with current degree of internalization (all other aspects alike). In combination with the already decided instruments, an increase in the carbon tax with SEK 1 per kg carbon dioxide for passenger cars implies that the target of reducing emissions from domestic transport by 70 percent from year 2010 level to 2030 can be reached. For future emissions of nitrogen oxides, a 100 percent internalization, or increased CO2 tax, will only result in a marginal impact.

This literature review concerns microplastics from tyre and road wear caused by road traffic. As there is limited knowledge about microplastics in general, and microplastics from road traffic in particular, the Swedish Government commissioned the Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute (VTI) to, during 2018-2020, develop and disseminate knowledge about microplastics from road traffic. The chapters in this report summarises existing knowledge about microplastics from road traffic with respect to the following aspects: sources, spread and presence; effects on and risk to the environment and human health; characteristics and chemical composition; tyre and road wear; sampling methods; analysis and sample preparation; and measures. The report also includes a chapter with overall conclusions, and a chapter about further research, development and investigation needs.

The purpose of this report is to provide a basis for reducing the generation and spread of microplastics from road traffic. One aim of the report is to collate and disseminate knowledge about microplastics generated by tyre and road wear, and to review the current level of knowledge. A second aim is to identify knowledge gaps and research requirements in relation to microplastics from road traffic. This literature review is based on a review of scientific articles and reports, as well as technical literature and some information from experts and industry.

This literature review concerns microplastics from tyre and road wear caused by road traffic. As there is limited knowledge about microplastics in general, and microplastics from road traffic in particular, the Swedish Government has asked the Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute (VTI) to, during 2018-2020, develop and disseminate knowledge about microplastics from road traffic. The chapters in this report summarises existing knowledge about microplastics from road traffic with respect to the following aspects: sources, spread and occurrence; effects on and risk to the environment and human health; characteristics and chemical composition; tyre and road wear; sampling methods; analysis and sample preparation; measures. The report also includes a chapter with overall conclusions, and a chapter about further research, development and investigation needs.

The purpose of this report is to provide a basis for reducing the generation and spread of microplastics from road traffic. One aim of the report is to collate and disseminate knowledge about microplastics generated by tyre and road wear, and to review the current level of knowledge. A second aim is to identify knowledge gaps and research requirements in relation to microplastics from road traffic. This literature review is based on a review of scientific articles and reports, as well as technical literature and some information from experts and industry.

Begreppet ekosystemtjänster används allt oftare och värdet av ekosystemtjänsterna ska, enligt Naturvårdsverkets etappmål, vara allmänt kända och integrerade i olika ställningstaganden och beslut senast 2018. Här förklaras begreppet i korthet och några tips om hur det kan implementeras i kommuner ges. Därefter beskriver forskarna Yvonne Andersson-Sköld och Jenny Klingberg ett forskningsprojekt som de har deltagit i och vars resultat är en handbok om hur ekosystemtjänster kan värderas.

Ongoing urban exploitation is increasing pressure to transform urban green spaces, while there is increasing awareness that greenery provides a range of important benefits to city residents. In efforts to help resolve associated problems we have developed a framework for integrated assessments of ecosystem service (ES) benefits and values provided by urban greenery, based on the ecosystem service cascade model. The aim is to provide a method for assessing the contribution to, and valuing, multiple ES provided by urban greenery that can be readily applied in routine planning processes. The framework is unique as it recognizes that an urban greenery comprises several components and functions that can contribute to multiple ecosystem services in one or more ways via different functional traits (e.g. foliage characteristics) for which readily measured indicators have been identified. The framework consists of five steps including compilation of an inventory of indicator; application of effectivity factors to rate indicators' effectiveness; estimation of effects; estimation of benefits for each ES; estimation of the total ES value of the ecosystem. The framework was applied to assess ecosystem services provided by trees, shrubs, herbs, birds, and bees, in green areas spanning an urban gradient in Gothenburg, Sweden. Estimates of perceived values of ecosystem services were obtained from interviews with the public and workshop activities with civil servants. The framework is systematic and transparent at all stages and appears to have potential utility in the existing spatial planning processes.

Under åren 2013–2016 genomfördes forskningsprojektet Värdering av ekosystemtjänster av urban grönska med syftet att kartlägga, synliggöra och värdera den urbana grönskan. Inom forskningsprojektet studerades bland annat hur ekosystemtjänsterna klimatreglering, förbättrad luftkvalitet, dagvattenhantering, bullerdämpning, rekreation och välbefinnande kan bedömas och värderas. Dessutom kartlades delar av den biologiska mångfalden (träd, buskar, örter, bin och fåglar). För att kunna bedöma och värdera de ekosystemtjänster som ingick i projektet utvecklades en stegvis metod. Metoden baseras på mätningar och inventeringar i sju fallstudieområden i Göteborg, intervjuer och enkätstudier samt relevant litteratur. I denna handbok presenteras metoden samt mallar som guidar användaren genom metodens fem steg. Handboken innehåller också exempel på hur metoden har använts. Viktigt att poängtera är att metoden som beskrivs i denna handbok inte är en slutprodukt utan en första version. I takt med ökad kunskap kan, och bör, metoden utvecklas, kompletteras och förbättras. Till exempel kan fler ekosystemtjänster bedömas och värderas. Metoden är utvecklad med tanken att den ska vara enkel att använda, systematisk och transparent i alla steg. Denna handbok vänder sig bland annat till stadsplanerare och konsulter som på uppdrag av planerare arbetar med beslutsstöd i planprocessen. Metoden kan användas för att bedöma inverkan av förändringar i stadsbilden, t ex vid förtätning, eller för att följa förändringar över tid.

Even if the greenhouse gas emissions are rapidly reduced, the ongoing climate change will result in extensive and costly climate-related events that will occur more frequently. The costs in the Swedish transport sector for such events damaging streets, roads, rail/railways, and other vulnerable parts of the infrastructure are high today and are expected to increase. The consequences of weather-related events are, among other things, reduced accessibility, and increased risk of accidents. To maintain the functioning of the transport system, it is important to undertake risk-reducing measures related both to today's climate, but above all, to manage future climate-related events. It is necessary to ensure the functioning of the transport system during extreme weather events, and during periods of prolonged precipitation, prolonged heatwaves and changing precipitation patterns. It is also important to enable adaptation measures to deal with long-term changes such as rising sea levels which affect the accessibility and lifespan of the infrastructure.

This report presents a summary of results and a summary of how a framework for evaluating climaterelated impact relationships has been used. Effect relationships refer to identifying, assessing, and evaluating climate-related risks and risk reduction measures. In this report, the focus is on identifying, assessing, and evaluating the effectiveness of climate-related measures. The results is a framework for assessing the effect of risk-reducing measures, i.e., to assess whether it is relevant to implement a measure, when in time it should be implemented and to assess which measure is most relevant to implement. The risks have considered in case studies and include fire risk, risk of accidents on streets and roads due to zero crossings or heat, flooding, erosion and landslides and impact on road construction (rutting, bearing capacity and fatigue), track buckling and risks related to high winds. The tests have included hazard and risk identification, risk analysis, identification, and evaluation of possible measures. Examples of case studies are a torrential rain in Kungsbacka municipality in 2019, erosion-related changes over a long period of time at Österdalälven and calculations of climate impact on the road construction at the E10 at Svappavaara. A case study has also included monetary valuation and sensitivity analysis. The framework has also formed the basis for a discussion regarding climaterelated risks linked to electricity supply.

SUNRA (Sustainability: National Road Administration) SUNRA is a decision support tool developed to be used in road projects by setting the level of ambition for different sustainability aspects and following up the work towards these in a structured way. 

This memo describes how to use SUNRA, followed by a chapter with suggestions on where in the planning process SUNRA can be used, followed by chapters presenting the themes and aspects that are considered within SUNRA and the underlying issues that constitute the result of the updates made in this version. 

In this version, SUNRA has also been sued against the global sustainability goals as well as the Swedish Transport Administration's interpretation of them in Målbild 2030. SUNRQ aims to use it to contribute to sustainable development with a higher level of ambition than just the legal requirements and other criteria that need to be taken into account. Therefore, for the aspects taken into account, minimum requirements for objectives are the legal requirements that exist and the Swedish Transport Administration's own objectives and policies

Severe accidents and high costs associated with weather-related events already occur in today’s climate. Unless preventive measures are taken, the costs are expected to increase in future due to ongoing climate change. However, the risk reduction measures are costly as well and may result in unwanted impacts. Therefore, it is important to identify, assess and prioritize which measures are necessary to undertake, as well as where and when these are to be undertaken. To be able to make such evaluations, robust (scientifically based), transparent and systematic assessments and valuations are required. This article describes a framework to assess the cause-and-effect relationships and how to estimate the costs and benefits as a basis to assess and prioritize measures for climate adaptation of roads and railways. The framework includes hazard identification, risk analysis and risk assessment, identification, monetary and non-monetary evaluation of possible risk reduction measures and a step regarding distribution-, goal-and sensitivity analyses. The results from applying the framework shall be used to prioritize among potential risk reduction measures as well as when to undertake them.

Sunra (Sustainability: National Road Administration) Sunra is the Swedish Transport Administration’s (STA) decision support tool developed to be used in road projects by setting the level of ambition for different sustainability aspects and following up the work towards these in a structured way. 

This memo describes how to use Sunra, followed by a chapter with suggestions on where in the planning process Sunra can be used, followed by chapters presenting the themes and aspects that are considered within Sunra and the underlying issues that constitute the result of the updates made in this version. 

In this version, Sunra has also been sued against the global sustainability goals as well as the Swedish Transport Administration's interpretation of them in Målbild 2030. SUNRQ aims to use it to contribute to sustainable development with a higher level of ambition than just the legal requirements and other criteria that need to be taken into account. Therefore, for the aspects taken into account, minimum requirements for objectives are the legal requirements that exist and the Swedish Transport Administration's own objectives and policies 

This memo is a compilation of the adaptation and update work made by Sunra version 2018-12-152 within the framework of sub-project 1.12 Sustainable analysis for smart maintenance in the program Mistra Inframaint. The update has been made to enable Sunra to be used both within investment, operation and maintenance projects. Updates have been made with respect to the aspects that are taken into account within the different Themes, within which Themes different aspects are taken into account and to match ongoing working methods within Investment and Operation and Maintenance at the Swedish Transport Administration. In the work on the update, exports from Operation and Maintenance and Investment have been involved.

Sunra (Sustainability: National Road Administration) is a decision support tool developed to be used in road projects by setting the level of ambition for different sustainability aspects and following up the work towards these in a structured way. 

This memo describes the results of continued development of Sunra adapted for local and regional infrastructure. The result is the prototypes Sulri (Sustainability Local and Regional Infrastructure) and Sulri-frequent. Sulri-frequent is intended to be used for more frequent projects, such as paving existing streets, and Sulri is intended for projects that are a little more complex such as rethinking or replanning such as improving for active travel, climate adaptation of an area or adapting a street, a place or an area to other needs, but Sulri can in principle also be used for more frequent or smaller projects. This report describes a first version of Sulri. The report shows how the tool should be used. Chapter 3 then presents the themes and aspects that are considered within Sulri. Appendix 2 gives the corresponding information for Sulri-frequent. Appendix 1 presents relevant documents and links for the different themes and aspects considered in Sulri.

This report presents the results of a feasibility study aimed at developing a methodology to support the transport Agency's planning of climate adaptation measures. The report focuses on the effect relationships for the identification, assessment and prioritization of measures for climate adaptation of roads and railways. The results presented in this report are based on literature studies and interviews with road and rail experts.

The report takes into account the consequences and risks that are expected to arise from climate-related events, such as the impact that arises from a heavy rainfall and measures that can be taken to reduce the risk and the effect thereof. Knowledge of the likelihood of a particular climate-related event occurring during a given period, as well as the size and type of injury, is required to assess or calculate the risk. The cost of damages is for example the delay costs, and costs of transfer and changes between modes of transport, etc., and recovery costs and injuries to humans.

Methodology for controlling circular mass handling in the Swedish Transport Administration is focused on elements that are carried out in the design phase. There is a lack of methodology for how indicators and key performance indicator can be transferred to the contractor. To improve requirements and incentives in contract procurements, requirements that are procurable and which can be followed-up must be developed. 

The purpose of this project is to, in a feasibility study, develop proposals for indicators and key performance indicators for procurement that can be used to set requirements and provide incentives that can be introduced in the Swedish Transport Administration's procurements to improve mass management, both in the planning of projects and in the actual execution. Future requirements and incentives should be able to be used in procurements and thus contribute to entrepreneurs working more circularly, sustainably and innovatively with mass handling than at present. The main purpose is that the procurement procedure should contribute to achieving the Swedish Transport Administration's goal: the infrastructure should be climate neutral by 2045. 

The work consists of an analysis based on international and national literature, mass management reporting and interviews. 

Based on the collected material, it appears that the regulations regarding excavated masses are not clear, and that the masses are classified as waste in most countries. This, in turn, leads to excavated masses not being recycled as much as is theoretically possible, nor as optimally as possible according to the value chain. To improve this, clearer incentives, indicators and key performance indicators are required, as well as accounting tools and guidance material from the Swedish Transport Administration. In this project, proposals for indicators and key performance indicators have been developed. In addition, an Excel based prototype for how several of these indicators can be reported both before a procurement and to be used to follow up and evaluate mass management in a project has been developed. The report also provides suggestions for continued work to develop the prototype for evaluating mass management at the project level and from a socio-economic perspective.

Natural events such as floods and landslides can have severe consequences. The risks are expected to increase, both as a consequence of climate change and due to increased vulnerabilities, especially in urban areas. Although preventive measures are often cost-effective, some measures are beneficial to certain values, while some may have negative impacts on other values.

The aim of the study presented here was to investigate two frameworks used for assessing the effectiveness and sustainability of physical and nonphysical flood and landslide risk reduction measures. The study is based on literature, available information from authorities and municipalities, expert knowledge and experience, and stakeholder views and values. The results indicate that the risks for suboptimization or maladaptation are reduced if many aspects are included and a broad spectrum of stakeholders are involved.

The sustainability assessment tools applied here can contribute to a more transparent and sustainable risk management process by assessing strategies and interventions with respect to both short- and long-term perspectives, including local impacts and wider environmental impacts caused by climate change, for example. The tools can also cover social and economic aspects. The assessment tools provide checklists that can support decision processes, thus allowing for more transparent decisions.

The urban environment is a complex structure with interlinked social, ecological and technical structures. Global warming is expected to have a broad variety of impacts, which will add to the complexity. Climate changes will force adaptation, to reduce climate-related risks. Adaptation measures can address one aspect at the time, or aim for a holistic approach to avoid maladaptation. This paper presents a systematic, integrated approach for assessing alternatives for reducing the risks of heat waves, flooding and air pollution in urban settings, with the aim of reducing the risk of maladaptation.

The study includes strategies covering different spatial scales, and both the current climate situation and the climate predicted under climate change scenarios. The adaptation strategies investigated included increasing vegetation; selecting density, height and colour of buildings; and retreat or resist (defend) against sea-level rise. Their effectiveness was assessed with regard to not only flooding, heat stress and air quality but also with regard to resource use, emissions to air (incl. GHG), soil and water, and people’s perceptions and vulnerability. The effectiveness of the strategies were ranked on a common scale (from −3 to 3) in an integrated assessment. Integrated assessments are recommended, as they help identify the most sustainable solutions, but to reduce the risk of maladaptation they require experts from a variety of disciplines.

The most generally applicable recommendation, derived from the integrated assessment here, taking into account both expertise from different municipal departments, literature surveys, life cycle assessments and publics perceptions, is to increase the urban greenery, as it contributes to several positive aspects such as heat stress mitigation, air quality improvement, effective storm-water and flood-risk management, and it has several positive social impacts. The most favourable alternative was compact, mid-rise, light coloured building design with large parks/green areas and trees near buildings.

In a project funded by the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency, the effort and work to reduce different kinds of accidents are being evaluated. The project wants to illuminate the links between actions and outcome, so we can learn from today’s performance and in the future select more effective measures and overall deal with accidents more efficiently. The project ESS covers the field of frequent accidents such as sliding accidents at home, in house fires and less common accidents such as chemical and land fill accidents up to even more rare accidents such as natural accidents and hazards. In the ESS project SGI (Swedish geotechnical institute) will evaluate the work and effort concerning various natural hazards limited to landslides, erosion and flooding. The aim is to investigate how municipalities handle, especially prevention, of such natural disasters today.

The project includes several aspects such as:

• which are the driving forces for risk analysis in a municipality
• do one use risk mapping (and what type) in municipal risk analysis
• which aspects are most important when selecting preventive measures
• in which way do one learn from past accidents
• and from previous accidents elsewhere, by for example use existing databases
• etc

There are many aspects that play a role in a well-functioning safety promotion work. The overall goal is to examine present work and activities, highlight what is well functioning and identify weak points. The aim is to find out where more resources are needed and give suggestions for a more efficient security work. This includes identification of the most efficient “tools” in use or needed. Such tools can be education, directives, funding, more easily available maps and information regarding previous accidents and preventive measures etc. The project will result in recommendations for more effective ways to deal with landslides, erosion and flooding. Since different kinds of problems can occur depending on level of authority the investigation of the security work will be done with authorities on both regional and local scale. At the moment the investigation process are in progress and preliminary results will be presented.

The results presented here covers natural hazards with focus on land slides and flooding. The results are based on Swedish/Scandinavian contexts. Natural events such as erosion, flooding and land slides are common, but the number of accidents (events causing severe negative impact) is rare. Therefore, in such analysis there is limited data and other information available which can be used for example in statistical analysis of actions and their effects. Instead, the analysis must be based on other information. The analysis may have to include aspects that only can be assessed by scenario and "what-if" analyses.

In this project the main method has been interviews with officials in Swedish municipalities and national agencies in Sweden and Norway. In all municipalities, one politician and officials working with planning and rescue service have been interviewed. The study covers hazard and risk mapping, follow up of such maps, physical planning and lessons learned from previous events and activities.

The final outcome of the research will be a review of what is found to be well functioning, identification of weak points and recommendations for the management of landslides, erosion and flooding. The present results indicate that hazard/risk maps are of great importance, but the knowledge about the maps and how to use them varies depending on who you ask and between municipalities. Most officials in municipalities are aware of climate change (CC) but, due to high uncertainties and since climate induced events such as natural hazards are rare, the issues are often not prioritized. Further, the results indicate that the documentation, communication and the responsibilities among different units is not always clear, having impacts on for example the knowledge transfer to new personnel.

Microplastics from road traffic, mainly from tyre wear, are globally considered to be one of the largest sources of microplastic contamination in the environment. Plastics can either be deposited in the road vicinity, at the roadside and in ditches or spread via stormwater and air to the environment and receiving water bodies. In cold climates, microplastics, as well as other traffic-related pollutants, can be temporarily stored in snow and ice on and around roads and streets. The location and concentration of these pollutants is influenced by winter operations, where ploughing and skid control contribute to redistribution, and by melting and compaction of ice and snow. This creates reservoirs of microplastics and other pollutants, which are released into stormwater or surrounding soil during thaws, but also provides an opportunity to reduce the spread of microplastics by managing snow and ice appropriately. In the present report, a case study of microplastics in snow has been carried out in the municipality of Karlstad in Sweden, to get an idea of the potential variation, both in terms of concentration and total amounts in relation to traffic and the location of the sampling in the street environment. Microplastics have been analysed by pyrolysis GC/MS to identify tyre-specific polymers in combination with eight commonly occurring plastic types. In addition, six municipalities in different parts of the country responded to a questionnaire on microplastics in snow and urban snowmelt management. The results show that microplastics related to tyre wear (rubber polymers) tend to be present in higher concentrations on and near the carriageway. Other plastics show a less clear link to traffic. Along a salted bicycle lane, an elevated level of polypropylene, from which the brush of the sweep-salting machine is made, could be detected in the surface layer of the snow. In general, knowledge about microplastics in urban snow is low in the municipalities that responded to the survey.

Gentle Remediation Options (GRO) are remediation measures involving plants, fungi, bacteria, and soil amendments that can be applied to manage risks at contaminated sites. Several studies and decision-support tools promote the wider range of benefits provided by GRO, but there is still skepticism regarding GRO implementation. Key issues that need to be better communicated are the various risk mitigation mechanisms, the required risk reduction for an envisioned land use, and the time perspective associated with the risk mitigation mechanisms. To increase the viability and acceptance of GRO, the phytomanagement approach implies the combination of GRO with beneficial green land use, gradually reducing risks and restoring ecosystem services. To strengthen the decision basis for GRO implementation in practice, this paper proposes a framework for risk management and communication of GRO applications to support phytomanagement strategies at contaminated sites. The mapping of the risk mitigation mechanisms is done by an extensive literature review and the Swedish national soil guideline value model is used to derive the most relevant human health exposure pathways and ecological risks for generic green land use scenarios. Results indicate that most of the expected risk mitigation mechanisms are supported by literature, but that knowledge gaps still exist. The framework is demonstrated to support the identification of GRO options for the case study site given two envisioned land uses: biofuel park and allotment garden. A more easily understandable risk management framework, as proposed here, is expected to act as a communication tool to educate decision-makers, regulatory bodies and other stakeholders for better understanding of risk mitigation mechanisms and preliminary timeframes of various GRO, particularly in the early stages of a brownfield redevelopment project. © 2021 The Authors

Urban environments are challenged with a plethora of wicked problems in the face of rapid urbanization and land use change, not least natural capital degradation and widespread land and water contamination. Brownfields, under-used sites with real or perceived contamination, are significant urban and peri-urban land resources which, with well-designed remediation and management strategies can address these concerns. Gentle remediation options (GRO) are scalable nature-based techniques which provide significant opportunities for multi-functionality: managing risks posed by contaminants and at the same time enhance ecosystem services (ES) by improving the soil ecosystem in a low-impact, cost-effective manner. GRO align with an increasing interest in taking a holistic view on soil and land management to protect and improve the soil ecosystem for direct human benefit in the form of ES as well as for its indirect, intrinsic value as a haven for biodiversity. This short review aims to present a synthesis of ideas to raise awareness for urban planners about GRO techniques as nature-based solutions which can promote green infrastructure in the urban environment. © Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd.

Tyre wear has been identified as a major road-related pollutant source, with road runoff transporting tyre wear particles (TWP) to adjacent soil, watercourses, or further through stormwater systems. The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence and transport of TWP along a stormwater system. Water and sediment have been sampled at selected points (road runoff, gully pots, wells, outlet to a ditch, and stream) through a stormwater system situated along a highway in Sweden during November and December 2022, and March 2023. As there is limited data on the size distribution of TWP in different environmental media, especially in the size fraction <20 μm, the samples were fractioned into a fine (1.6–20 μm) and a coarse (1.6–500 μm) size fraction. The samples were analysed using a combination of marker compounds (benzene, α-methylstyrene, ethylstyrene, and butadiene trimer) for styrene-butadiene rubbers with PYR-GC/MS from which TWP concentration was calculated. Suspended solids were analysed in the water samples, and organic content was analysed in the sediment samples. TWP was found at nearly all locations, with concentrations up to 17 mg/L in the water samples and up to 40 mg/g in the sediment samples. In the sediment samples, TWP in the size fraction 1.6–20 μm represented a significant proportion (20–60%). Correlations were found between TWP concentration and suspended solids in the water samples (r = 0.87) and organic content in the sediment samples (r = 0.72). The results presented in this study demonstrate that TWP can be transported to the surrounding environment through road runoff, with limited retention in the studied stormwater system. 

Though managing vulnerabilities posed by climate change calls for effective strategies and measures, its challenges have hitherto not been fully understood. In Sweden, municipalities have recently started incorporating vulnerability management into their political and administrative agendas. This study discusses such experiences and explores how institutional determinants may influence adaptive capacity within a local case study area, to illustrate emerging challenges and opportunities for Swedish municipalities in managing climate vulnerabilities. Specifically, formal institutional structure and the use of knowledge are analysed, concluding that vulnerability management often is focused on technical and reactive fixes, due to limited cooperation between local sector organisations, lack of local co-ordination, and an absence of methods and traditions to build institutional knowledge. Even so, opportunities, such as a high capacity to examine risks to technical systems and important establishments which in turn facilitates protection of technical infrastructure exposed to climate variability and change, also exist.

Microplastics from road traffic are mainly caused by tyre wear, which is globally considered to be one of the largest sources of microplastics. Tyre wear particles have been shown to occur in all media (road surface, air, soil, stormwater, lakes and rivers and coastal sediments) and are dispersed both by runoff and by atmospheric transport. To reduce the dispersion and possible effects of road traffic microplastics emissions, measures can be taken to prevent the formation of particles and to prevent their dispersion through treatment measures. This study focuses on street cleaning as a method to reduce emissions, but as many street cleaning methods are based on the use of plastic brushes, cleaning as a source of microplastics has also been considered. The study was carried out in collaboration with the municipality of Karlstad and included a review of how street cleaning is carried out in Karlstad in relation to uptake and dispersion of microplastics. 

Furthermore, a comparison between two cleaning machines (elevator and vacuum) has been made and a monitoring of microplastic amounts on the road surface during different phases of spring sweeping has been carried out. In order to estimate the amount of plastic torn from the brushes, weighing of the brushes has been carried out. In order to gain knowledge about the work of more municipalities on street sweeping from a microplastic perspective, a questionnaire study was sent out to six municipalities in different parts of the country. The results show that both cleaning machines have the capacity to reduce the amount of microplastics on the road surface. However, during spring sweeping, the amount of polypropylene (the most common plastic in the brushes) on the road surface increases. The distribution of analysed plastics differs significantly between the road surface and the material collected by the machines. This is thought to be due to the fact that the machines mainly collect coarser fractions, while finer fractions remain on the road surface. Knowledge of, and thus consideration of, microplastics in relation to operational measures such as street cleaning is currently low among the municipalities surveyed, but awareness exists, as does the need for support in implementing possible measures. 

The present study shows a complex problem picture and represents a first step in understanding how street cleaning can be used as a measure, but also indicates that the wear of plastic brushes leads to a net emission of microplastics.

Heavy metal and metalloid contamination of topsoils from atmospheric deposition and release from landfills, agriculture, and industries is a widespread problem that is estimated to affect >50% of the EU's land surface. Influx of contaminants from soil to groundwater and their further downstream spread and impact on drinking water quality constitute a main exposure risk to humans. There is increasing concern that the present contaminant loading of groundwater and surface water systems may be altered, and potentially aggravated, by ongoing climate change, through large-scale impacts on recharge and groundwater levels. We investigated this issue by performing hydrogeological-geochemical model projections of changes in metal(loid) (As and Pb) mobilization in response to possible (climate-driven) future shifts in groundwater level and fluctuation amplitudes. We used observed initial conditions and boundary conditions for contaminated soils in the temperate climate zone. The results showed that relatively modest increases (0.2 m) in average levels of shallow groundwater systems, which may occur in Northern Europe within the coming two decades, can increase mass flows of metals through groundwater by a factor of 2–10. There is a similar risk of increased metal mobilization in regions subject to increased (seasonal or event-scale) amplitude of groundwater levels fluctuations. Neglecting groundwater level dynamics in predictive models can thus lead to considerable and systematic underestimation of metal mobilization and future changes. More generally, our results suggest that the key to quantifying impacts of climate change on metal mobilization is to understand how the contact between groundwater and the highly water-conducting and geochemically heterogeneous topsoil layers will change in the future.

This report presents the activities and results of an assignment on microplastics from road traffic commissioned by the Swedish Government to the Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute (VTI) in December 2017 which has run until 1 June 2021. The assignment included a budget of in total SEK 20 million. 

The assignment states that VTI will ”develop and disseminate knowledge about microplastic emissions from the transport system”. The reason for the assignment was, among other things, that knowledge about microplastics from road traffic was very limited, at the same time as tire and road wear particles from road traffic had been identified as a major source of microplastics. The assignment constitutes a part of the government's work to implement nationally and internationally efforts to reduce the problems of plastics in the environment. 

The report is structured based on the knowledge specifically requested in the assignment, such as knowledge about how the particles are dispersed and what can be done about it, as well as what the government wants VTI to do, such as writing scientific articles, collaborating with authorities and knowledge dissemination.

This report summarizes the activities carried out and the results obtained in the framework of the assignment. Knowledge of microplastics from tire and road wear particles has increased rapidly in recent years through research conducted inside and outside of the government assignment. This applies, for example, to knowledge of the preparation and analysis of samples, the physical and chemical properties of tire particles, the presence of tire and road wear particles in the road and street environment, their potential pathways, the potential instruments and measures available.

Untreated stormwater is a major source of microplastics, organic pollutants, metals, and nutrients in urban water courses. The aim of this study was to improve the knowledge about the start-up periods of bioretention filters. A rain garden pilot facility with 13 bioretention filters was constructed and stormwater from a highway and adjacent impervious surfaces was used for irrigation for ∼12 weeks. Selected plants (Armeria maritima, Hippophae rhamnoides, Juncus effusus, and Festuca rubra) was planted in ten filters. Stormwater percolated through the filters containing waste-to-energy bottom ash, biochar, or Sphagnum peat, mixed with sandy loam. Influent and effluent samples were taken to evaluate removal of the above-mentioned pollutants.

Risk assessment methods form corner stones in the striving to reduce risks and threats to human life and society. Proposed actions can be physical or non-physical and adopted or declined after political evaluation, with consideration taken to available resources and estimated effect on risk. To optimize and avoid regrettable actions, decision-makers are in need of well-founded analyses of how efficient different options might be. Analytically, there are several possible steps that can contribute.

Firstly, the correlation between a measure and its effect should be based on causality, which often is difficult to establish quantitatively. High frequent accidents (e.g. traffic) can normally be treated statistically , while low frequent accidents with severe consequences (e.g. natural hazards) are more restricted to qualitative descriptions of correlation. Systematic monitoring of injury and damage data and gathering into databases, are a crucial activity for causality valuation. Secondly, economic valuation of effect is an important contribution in a cost-benefit perspective. Thirdly, a measure often brings several different effects and some may fall outside the actual purpose. An additional problem is how to handle effects that exert varied influence on different stakeholders or social groups in society. Fourthly, certain criteria are required for final prioritization. For instance, in analysis of goal fulfillment, effects are compared with politically decided quantified goals.

In cases where basic data from steps 1-3 are incomplete, alternative criteria like “acceptable risk” might be necessary to agree about politically. To use similar approaches on how to describe and quantify effect correlations, promote gathered efforts at local level where risk reducing measures are decided upon by different actors and with regard to diverse local conditions. Tests of suitable methods and approaches to measure efficiency of planned or accomplished actions in gain for risk prevention, are described and discussed.

Within the scope of this project, tools for conducting systematic and integrated climate vulnerability and sustainability assessments have been developed. Two municipalities in the lower Göta Älv catchment were selected as study cases. Together with representatives from key municipal departments and national government agencies, the interdisciplinary research team designed and conducted a co-production process. Results obtained using the developed tools demonstrate that conducting such a systematic assessment of the current situation and potential impacts of climate change adaptation measures would contribute to synergies between adaptation strategies and other policy arenas. Our recommendation for enhancing the capacity of local vulnerability management in Sweden is to shift foci in four fields: from static analysis of climate vulnerability to a dynamic approach to social vulnerability, from a sectorwise fragmented approach to integrated management, from a focus on technical fixes and physical measures to institutional adaptation measures, and, finally, from sustainability-blind adaptation investments to long-term sustainable climate adaptation measures. The processes and mechanisms for succeeding in this requires that knowledge be produced, shared, and managed in partly new ways, allowing stakeholders both inside and outside local government administration to voice and synergise their concerns and solutions.

Tire wear particles (TWP) are assumed to be one of the major sources of microplastic pollution to the environment. However, many of the previously published studies are based on theoretical estimations rather than field measurements. To increase the knowledge regarding actual environmental concentrations, samples were collected and analyzed from different matrices in a rural highway environment to characterize and quantify TWP and other traffic-derived non-exhaust particles. The sampled matrices included road dust (from kerb and in-between wheeltracks), runoff (water and sediment), and air. In addition, airborne deposition was determined in a transect with increasing distance from the road. Two sieved size fractions (2–20 µm and 20–125 µm) were analyzed by automated Scanning Electron Microscopy/Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDX) single particle analysis and classified with a machine learning algorithm into the following subclasses: TWP, bitumen wear particles (BiWP), road markings, reflecting glass beads, metals, minerals, and biogenic/organic particles. The relative particle number concentrations (%) showed that the runoff contained the highest proportion of TWP (up to 38 %). The share of TWP in kerb samples tended to be higher than BiWP. However, a seasonal increase of BiWP was observed in coarse (20–125 µm) kerb samples during winter, most likely reflecting studded tire use. The concentration of the particle subclasses within airborne PM80-1 decreases with increasing distance from the road, evidencing road traffic as the main emission source. The results confirm that road dust and the surrounding environment contain traffic-derived microplastics in both size fractions. The finer fraction (2–20 µm) dominated (by mass, volume, and number) in all sample matrices. These particles have a high potential to be transported in water and air far away from the source and can contribute to the inhalable particle fraction (PM10) in air. This highlights the importance of including also finer particle fractions in future investigations.

Tires, bitumen, and road markings are important sources of traffic-derived carbonaceous wear particles and microplastic (MP) pollution. In this study, we further developed a machine-learning algorithm coupled to an automated scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDX) analytical approach to classify and quantify the relative number of the following subclasses contained in environmental road dust: tire wear particles (TWP), bitumen wear particles (BiWP), road markings, reflecting glass beads, metallics, minerals, and biogenic/organics. The method is non-destructive, rapid, repeatable, and enables information about the size, shape, and elemental composition of particles 2-125 mu m. The results showed that the method enabled differentiation between TWP and BiWP for particles > 20 mu m with satisfying results. Furthermore, the relative number concentration of the subclasses was similar in both analyzed size fractions (2-20 mu m and 20-125 mu m), with minerals as the most dominant subclass (2-20 mu m x = 78%, 20-125 mu m x = 74%) followed by tire and bitumen wear particles, TBiWP, (2-20 mu m x = 19%, 20-125 mu m x = 22%). Road marking wear, glass beads, and metal wear contributed to x = 1%, x = 0.1%, and x = 1% in the 2-20-mu m fraction and to x = 0.5%, x = 0.2%, and x = 0.4% in the 20-125-mu m fraction. The present results show that road dust appreciably consists of TWP and BiWP within both the coarse and the fine size fraction. The study delivers quantitative evidence of the importance of tires, bitumen, road marking, and glass beads besides minerals and metals to wear particles and MP pollution in traffic environments based on environmental (real-world) samples

In urban environments, particularly areas under reconstruction, metals, organic pollutants (OP), and microplastics (MP), are released in large amounts due to heavy traffic. Road runoff, a major transport route for urban pollutants, contributes significantly to a deteriorated water quality in receiving waters. This study was conducted in Gothenburg, Sweden, and is unique because it simultaneously investigates the occurrence of OP, metals, and MP on roads and in stormwater from an urban area under reconstruction. Correlations between the various pollutants were also explored. The study was carried out by collecting washwater and sweepsand generated from street sweeping, road surface sampling, and flow-proportional stormwater sampling on several occasions. The liquid and solid samples were analyzed for metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), oxy-PAH, aliphatics, aromatics, phthalates, and MP. The occurrence of OP was also analyzed with a non-target screening method of selected samples. Microplastics, i.e. plastic fragments/fibers, paint fragments, tire wear particles (TWP) and bitumen, were analyzed with a method based on density separation with sodium iodide and identification with a stereo microscope, melt-tests, and tactile identification. MP concentrations amounted to 1500 particles/L in stormwater, 51,000 particles/L in washwater, and 2.6 × 106 particles/kg dw in sweepsand. In stormwater, washwater and sweepsand, MP ≥20 μm were found to be dominated by TWP (38%, 83% and 78%, respectively). The results confirm traffic as an important source to MP, OP, and metal emissions. Concentrations exceeding water and sediment quality guidelines for metals (e.g. Cu and Zn), PAH, phthalates, and aliphatic hydrocarbons in the C16–C35 fraction were found in most samples. The results show that the street sweeper collects large amounts of polluted materials and thereby prevents further spread of the pollutants to the receiving stormwater. © 2021 Elsevier B.V.

Tire and road wear particles have been identified as a potential major source of microplastics in the environment. However, more knowledge of the emissions and their further fate in the environment is needed, and the effectiveness and benefits of potential measures must be investigated to support future risk management efforts. Here the concentrations of tire and bitumen microplastic particles (TBMP) on roads and in nearby in stormwater, sweepsand and washwater were measured for the first time within the same area and time period. The analysis also included plastic, paint and fiber particles. Road dust was sampled on the road surface using a wet dust sampler, before and after street sweeping on two occasions. On each of these occasions, and several occasions during a four-month period with frequent street sweeping, sweepsand and washwater, as well as flow-weighted sampling of stormwater, were collected. TBMP concentrations were operationally defined, using density separation for some samples, followed by analysis by stereo microscopy. Sodium iodide (NaI) was found to be effective for density separation of TBMP. The largest proportion of anthropogenic microplastics detected consisted of tire tread wear and bitumen. The number of TBMP ≥100 μm in the WDS samples was up to 2561 particles/L. Sweepsand and washwater contained high amounts of TBMP ≥100 μm, up to 2170 particles/kg dw and 4500 particles/L, respectively. The results show that the sweeper collects considerable amounts of TBMP, and thus weekly sweeping might prevent further transport of TBMP to the receiving stormwater. In stormwater the number of particles ≥100 μm was up to 3 particles/L and ≥ 20 μm was up to 5900 particles/L showing the importance of analysing smaller microparticle sizes than 100 μm in all samples in future studies. This study also confirms that there is a substantial volume of TBMP generated from traffic that enters the environment. © 2020

Traditionally, fires have been associated with losses of life and property, and costs for interruptions in production etc. In recent years increased attention has been paid to the fact that fires also are related to environmental problems. The emissions from fires can consist of a number of different types of species with a variety of effects to health and the environment. In the present report a method is described on how to determine the emissions from a fire and how the emissions are spread. The aim of the work has been to study the entire process from a specific fire scenario to the spread of the emissions to air, soil, and water. The result is a method with a number of different subparts. These subparts include: description of fire scenario, modelling of production of emissions, and modelling of spread of emissions. They are described as is how the different parts are linked to each other.

Fire tests were performed with electric and electronic waste, and car tyres. Tests were performed both with and without water application and in connection with the tests the fire gases, run-off water, and fire debris were analysed. Based on the fire tests and literature data from other tests, emission models were developed. Knowledge of formation mechanisms for different species was also used. Several of the modelling tools used with the project demand both much time and computer resources. Therefore, they might not be useful in the acute phase of an accident, but should instead be used in the prevention work of the rescue services. In case of a fire in a specific object with a material composition or mode of storage different from those of the cases that the emission models were based on, supplementary fire tests might be needed to develop representative emission models.

Tyre and road wear particles (TRWP) are an important microplastics contributor to the environment, although direct observations along suggested pathways are virtually absent. There are concerns for both human health and ecosystems from TRWP exposure and leached chemicals. Due to great analytical challenges in detection and characterization, almost nothing is known about the physicochemical characteristics, occurrence, fate and transport of TRWP in the environment. Diverse tyre types exist for different seasons and vehicle profiles, and their formulations are undisclosed proprietary information.

Here we show TRWP dispersion in marine sediments, and a direct link between tyre formulation, tread hardness and TRWP emissions. Softer tyres with higher natural rubber and carbon black content generate higher particle wear. Sediment TRWP dominates the microplastics assemblage close to the city, while showing a much more steeply reducing concentration gradient with distance from the source, suggesting different transport behaviour compared to lower density microplastics. This implies that urbanized coastal ecosystems are impacted by the accumulating TRWP, with consequences for sediment ecosystems.

Rail transport is expected to become a key component in the development of a long-term sustainable transport system. The planning, construction, operation, and maintenance of railway infrastructure are crucial in this effort. Hence, it is essential to ascertain that the railway infrastructure withstands and is adapted to extreme weather conditions and climate change. This study focuses on evaluating climate adaptation measures for lateral track buckling in Sweden. Through a literature review and interview with an expert at Swedish Transport Administration, it is highlighted that the maintenance status of railway infrastructure plays a significant role in the occurrence of lateral track buckling. According to the expert, inadequate track maintenance is the primary cause of lateral track buckling rather than weather variables like air temperature. The interview also clarifies that the chain of events related to the handling of track buckling is mainly initiated by the observation of a discrete lateral irregularity by a train driver, whereupon the train dispatcher at the traffic management center stops traffic until the location in the track has been inspected by a track entrepreneur. During the inspection, up to half of the observed cases of track buckling turn out to be false.

Recently, Europe is experiencing more frequent and greater floods compared to the last 500 years due to climate change among other factors. This has increased the associated risks, especially in urban areas, which poses a great challenge to all stakeholders. To protect traffic networks from possible floods, this paper uses QGIS, remote sensing data, and HEC-HMS model to assess flooding events and possible adaptation measures. Two case studies have been taken; 1) a 60-mm rainstorm that occurred in 2012 on a main road in the Northern part of Sweden (NB)); and 2) a 35-mm rainstorm that occurred in 2019 in the Southern part of Gothenburg (GO). The resulting flood hydrographs show that the peak reached are 0.5 m3/s and 3.8 m3/s in GO and NB, respectively. To adapt to these flood events, four adaptation measures were assessed namely afforestation, permeable pavements &amp; green roofs, multi-use detention basins and culvert installation considering food production, biodiversity, prosperity, and the environment. The study has shown that afforestation is an effective flood risk mitigation measure to handle both moderate and extreme rain events. Well-maintained permeable surfaces and green roofs are effective in reducing flooding due to moderate rainfall, but not in reducing the impacts of extreme rainfall events. Well-designed multi-functional detention basins are good flood protection measures, however, if they are not well-maintained, their efficiency may be reduced by up to 90 %. Culverts are effective for frequent and limited rain events but extreme rain events may even increase flood risk and thereby contribute to damaging the infrastructure.

This report presents the basis and calculations for the subproject air pollution carried out within the framework of VTI’s third government commission on traffic economic costs (Samkost 3). We have in this study estimated marginal external costs of air pollution with the method developed and used in the EU for this purpose, the so-called “Impact Pathway Approach”, focusing on the importance and the impact of air traffic in Sweden. These calculations require dispersion- and exposure modelling and SMHI was therefore commissioned to provide data from this type of calculations based on the MATCH model.

Due to time constraints, since this VTI’s commission had a deadline and this work involves complex calculation that requires time, the calculations got adapted to the restrictions of the commission. Separate calculations were done for flight at different heights (LTO, low and high cruise) and only for traffic in the Swedish air space. Separate modelling was done with total reduction of all emissions from this traffic, but also when only NOx from air traffic was reduced. Finally, we tested the influence of the geographical area used in the modelling.

The Swedish Government decided in 2017 to investigate different possibilities and challenges with implementing electrified roads in Sweden and since then, the Swedish Transport Administration has a program for investigations and research regarding electric road systems (ERS). The Research and Innovation Platform for Electrified Roads is part of this program and the present report is a compilation of the results derived regarding environmental impact of ERS from the work in work package two of this platform.

The general concept of ERS is to deliver energy for charging and propulsion of vehicles while driving.The environmental aspects that are covered in this report are mainly focusing on particles, noise and electromagnetic field emissions. The information is attained from literature reviews and discussions with project leaders of demonstration projects for electrified roads in Sweden. Comparisons were made with similar existing techniques or concepts. The overall results indicate that more research is needed on environmental impact of ERS, mainly regarding particles from the wear of conductive ERSas well as on emissions of electromagnetic fields. It is for instance important to consider emissions from electromagnetic fields as early on in the development phase as possible as well as looking intothe standards that regulates or need to regulate these technologies in order for them to work properly together with other electrical devices on or close to the roads. Screening of electromagnetic fields is an alternative, which could become a costly solution if considered later on in the process.