1 new emergency transportation operations resources nancy houston booz allen hamilton

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New Emergency Transportation Operations Resources

Nancy Houston

Booz Allen Hamilton

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FHWA and ITS JPO have developed a site providing ETO resources

ETO web site address is http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/opssecurity.

The site contains information both on emergency transportation operations and security.

Another resource is the DHS ETO channel at www.llis.gov. 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.

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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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)

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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

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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

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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)

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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

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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

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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

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Contact Information

Nancy Houston, Booz Allen Hamilton, houston_nancy@bah.com

Kim Vasconez, FHWA, kimberly.vasconez@dot.gov

Linda Dodge, ITS JPO, linda.dodge@dot.gov

Laurie Radow, FHWA, laurel.radow@dot.gov