using highways for no-notice evacuations - FHWA Operations - U.S. ...

y the DOTs, along with an understanding of region-wide vulnerabilities,provides a basis for establishing actionable strategies in advanceof an incident. Population data and demographic information regardingautomobile ownership and transit dependency may be includedin regional DOT-managed travel demand models. These models alsoprovide a framework for improving preparedness; they can be used toevaluate staging locations, determine final destinations, and test theramifications of releasing evacuees onto a transportation network duringpeak and non-peak periods. This requires engaging the staffs ofmetropolitan planning organizations that have played a historic role inthe development and application of regional transportation models. Asdomain experts, they are some of the most qualified individuals in anymetropolitan area who can prepare geographically based demographicforecasts. Critical factors to consider include the following:n Number of evacuees – How many people are likely to be involved inthe evacuation? Is the population of the at-risk area relatively constant,or does it change significantly based on factors such as time ofday, work populations, or seasonal considerations such as tourism orpresence of college students?DOT Functions Relevant to Evacuation Planningand Managementn Infrastructure maintenance and restoration, including road weathermanagementn Transportation planning, including evacuation planning, planningfor special events, and route planningn Debris removal from highways, bridges, rail lines, etc.n Traffic incident management, including service patrols and suppliesfor stranded motorists (safety equipment, signs, tire repair,gasoline, etc.)n Information collection, analysis, and processing (traffic counters,cameras, etc.)n Public communication (511, messaging systems)n Work zone managementn Freight managementn Personnel trained and experienced in emergency operationsUSING HIGHWAYS FOR NO-NOTICE EVACUATIONS63