Climate Change Risk Assessment and Adaptation Design:
JFK Central Terminal Access Roadways and Utilities
The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey (PANYNJ) is advancing a major redevelopment program at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). An investment of over $13 billion will improve the current airport facilities by 2025 through the development of a unified terminal layout, world-class amenities, and expanded taxiways and gate capacity.
s part of the airport’s redevelopment, the PANYNJ is pursuing climate change impact risk research and analyses to better understand how potential future conditions may affect airport assets and operations. As a global hub for passenger travel and cargo, JFK is a critical asset to both people and the economy, and is expected to remain that way throughout the 21st century. As such, climate variables including sea level rise, storm
surge, precipitation, and temperature have been assessed to understand potential vulnerabilities and opportunities for risk mitigation and climate adaptation. A vulnerability indicator approach has been pursued for this risk report. This approach combines an exposure
analysis with the probability of an event happening during the lifespan of the project and the potential
consequences of the climate hazard occurring.
JFK is exposed to potential risks associated with each of the climate variables described in this report; however, an exposure analysis identified sea level rise and storm surge as a primary area of concern. A stakeholder meeting in July 2019 with PANYNJ leaders and experts in resiliency confirmed sea level rise and storm surge is the most significant climate stressor from the agency’s perspective. This concern is followed by precipitation ranked
second, and temperature ranked third. Best available climate data, including that sourced from PANYNJ Climate Resilience Design Guidelines and NYC Panel on Climate Change, indicates the combination of rising seas and major flood events caused primarily by coastal storms could inundate the facility at more frequent and intense rates in the coming decades. At the same time, stormwater system modeling indicates the majority of the existing stormwater system does not have enough capacity to convey the 10-year storm event, with several areas on the site experiencing surface flooding during the 2-year storm event.
Historical events including flooding impacts from hurricanes, nor’easters, and heavy summer rainfall events have forced flight delays and cancellations, imposing costs to passengers, businesses, and the agency, among other stakeholders. In light of these past events and current projections, design criteria for the JFK Redevelopment Program, along with overarching operations considerations, must be considered through a climate change resilience and adaptation lens in order to reduce potential costs and consequences and ensure long-term benefits
are achieved from the redevelopment investment.
The Climate Change Impact Risk Report presents the risk assessment framework and relevant climate projections, analyzes exposure
of the site, assesses potential vulnerabilities specific to JFK assets, outlines opportunities for design alternatives , and concludes with key take-aways and potential next steps.
s part of the airport’s redevelopment, the PANYNJ is pursuing climate change impact risk research and analyses to better understand how potential future conditions may affect airport assets and operations. As a global hub for passenger travel and cargo, JFK is a critical asset to both people and the economy, and is expected to remain that way throughout the 21st century. As such, climate variables including sea level rise, storm
surge, precipitation, and temperature have been assessed to understand potential vulnerabilities and opportunities for risk mitigation and climate adaptation. A vulnerability indicator approach has been pursued for this risk report. This approach combines an exposure
analysis with the probability of an event happening during the lifespan of the project and the potential
consequences of the climate hazard occurring.
JFK is exposed to potential risks associated with each of the climate variables described in this report; however, an exposure analysis identified sea level rise and storm surge as a primary area of concern. A stakeholder meeting in July 2019 with PANYNJ leaders and experts in resiliency confirmed sea level rise and storm surge is the most significant climate stressor from the agency’s perspective. This concern is followed by precipitation ranked
second, and temperature ranked third. Best available climate data, including that sourced from PANYNJ Climate Resilience Design Guidelines and NYC Panel on Climate Change, indicates the combination of rising seas and major flood events caused primarily by coastal storms could inundate the facility at more frequent and intense rates in the coming decades. At the same time, stormwater system modeling indicates the majority of the existing stormwater system does not have enough capacity to convey the 10-year storm event, with several areas on the site experiencing surface flooding during the 2-year storm event.
Historical events including flooding impacts from hurricanes, nor’easters, and heavy summer rainfall events have forced flight delays and cancellations, imposing costs to passengers, businesses, and the agency, among other stakeholders. In light of these past events and current projections, design criteria for the JFK Redevelopment Program, along with overarching operations considerations, must be considered through a climate change resilience and adaptation lens in order to reduce potential costs and consequences and ensure long-term benefits
are achieved from the redevelopment investment.
The Climate Change Impact Risk Report presents the risk assessment framework and relevant climate projections, analyzes exposure
of the site, assesses potential vulnerabilities specific to JFK assets, outlines opportunities for design alternatives , and concludes with key take-aways and potential next steps.
