1 New Emergency Transportation Operations Resources Nancy Houston Booz Allen Hamilton

2 FHWA and ITS JPO have developed a site providing ETO resources  ETO web site address is  The site contains information both on emergency transportation operations and security.  Another resource is the DHS ETO channel at Look under “New LLIS Content” and then “Channels” to join.  Today, we’ll focus on the newest emergency transportation publications on the ETO web site, which also appear on the LLIS site.

3 After the 2004 and 2005 hurricane seasons, the focus on evacuations increased significantly  FHWA decided to develop a new publication series called “Routes to Effective Evacuation Planning Primer Series”  The first primer in the series is Using Highways During Evacuation Operations for Events with Advance Notice

4 Upcoming titles in the primer series include…  Overview of Routes to Effective Evacuation Planning  Integrating Multiple Modes into Evacuation Transportation Planning for Events with Advance Notice  Using Highways During Evacuation Operations for Events with No Notice  Integrating Multiple Modes into Evacuation Transportation Planning for Events with No Notice  Evacuating Populations with Special Mobility Requirements

5 The purpose of the primer series is to…  Aid state and local emergency planners  Provide checklists of what should be considered for inclusion in evacuation plans  Provide resource lists for acquiring additional information  Generate discussion and ideas to improve evacuation operations

6 The first primer contains…  Roles and responsibilities in planning for and conducting an evacuation including evacuation decision considerations  Capabilities and resources at the local, regional, state, and federal levels  Evacuation phases: readiness, activation, and operations (two tiers – evacuating and re-entry, and return-to readiness)  Components of an effective evacuation plan

7 The section on components of an effective evacuation plan discusses…  Communication tools  Traffic control tools  Evacuation, weather, and assessment monitoring and prediction tools  Future directions  Other information resources

8 The primer also provides…  Examples of good practices  Sample activities at each evacuation phase  Results from other evacuation-focused research  A checklist of questions by evacuation phase to assist in evacuation plan development

9 Results from the FHWA Preparedness and Response Workshops are now available…  Between May 2002 and June 2005, FHWA sponsored 30 regional Transportation Operations Preparedness and Response workshops  Two reports now available that document the common issues and best practices identified at the workshops

10 Workshop objectives were to…  Increase participant awareness of the critical processes, issues, and activities that may arise during and following an emergency, and of the possible approaches for addressing them.  Enhance working relationships among personnel from multiple organizations responsible for emergency preparedness and response in each of the 30 regions.

11 Workshop objectives were also to…  Identify areas for improvement for transportation emergency response planning and readiness in each of the 30 regions. Determine next steps to address these areas.  Provide input to transportation emergency preparedness guidance material being prepared at the national level. (continued)

12 Best practices and common issues are categorized by…  Interagency Coordination and Communication  Emergency Operations  Equipment  Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS)  Mutual Aid  Threat Notification, Awareness, and Information Sharing  Policy

13 Some common issues include…  Lack of interoperable communications among responders including transportation  Limited understanding/experience with the ICS and UC among transportation staff  Designation of regional emergency evacuation routes  Shortage of transportation staff trained in damage assessment

14 In addition, common issues include…  Prioritization of resources during emergencies  Lack of full consideration of ITS for use in emergencies  Understanding and use of emergency contracting and mutual-aid  Understanding of the role of transportation planning in emergency preparedness and response (continued)

15 Other recent publications include…  Planned Special Events: Checklists for Practitioners  Managing Pedestrian During Evacuations of Metropolitan Areas  Communicating with the Public Using ATIS During Disasters: Guide for Practitioners  Simplified Guide to the ICS for Transportation Professionals

16 New ETO publications on the way include…  Assessment of State of the Practice and State of the Art in Evacuation Transportation Management, which includes: –A literature review on evacuations –Case studies of 4 incidents in SC, UT, AK, and CA including train derailments with hazmat leaks, hazmat fires, and wildfires with a focus on impacts to the transportation system –Research into a concept of operations for transportation management during an event with no notice

17 The assessment of evacuation models publication will include…  Inventory and assessment of current evacuation modeling tools  Ability of the models to facilitate decision making from real time to planning exercises  Availability and quality of data needed for model input  Development of a user guide for agencies considering modeling analysis

18 Contact Information  Nancy Houston, Booz Allen Hamilton,  Kim Vasconez, FHWA,  Linda Dodge, ITS JPO,  Laurie Radow, FHWA,