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

site of an incident that forces the evacuation of population centers. 11If an incident occurs at one of these sites, it may generate a hazard ofsufficient size and severity to warrant an evacuation. Such facilitiescan be identified through existing community hazard and vulnerabilityassessment results, and those that are of particular concern shouldbe analyzed further to determine the likelihood and consequences ofa mishap. Planners can then use demographics data and geographicinformation system tools to develop projections of the at-risk populationsbased on the nature of the facility and the presumed hazard.Evacuation planners should engage local staff to identify locations ofpotential evacuations. They can then map significant evacuee populationsagainst the proposed evacuation transportation and shelteringnetwork to determine projected demand levels on their chosen travelroutes and corridors. Emergency management agencies typically takethe lead in such efforts, but transportation agencies can play a key supportingrole by providing information about transportation routes andmodes.ANTICPATING AT-RISK infrastructureThe transportation infrastructure – including roads, highways, bridges,waterways, rail lines, and pipelines – constitutes a critical componentof a successful evacuation; however, it is highly vulnerable. Thetransportation network poses a potentially attractive target for terroristattacks. It can also be weakened during natural incidents such asearthquakes, floods, or volcanic eruptions. Transportation/evacuationplanners must be able to identify critical infrastructure componentsand consider the consequences of failure before or during an evacuation.This planning requires knowing where redundant transportationcapacity exists within the roadway system so that flows of evacuees canbe redirected around vulnerable or damaged infrastructure, and beingable to communicate this knowledge to emergency managers who arecoordinating field operations. In some cases, alternate routes may liewithin neighboring jurisdictions or states, necessitating coordinationwith partner agencies outside the affected jurisdiction. Other modes(transit, boats, etc.) can also be considered to establish redundancy,assuming they are not already being used to transport evacuees. De-11DOT and the National Response Center – a consortium of Federal Agencies that manages hazardousmaterials incidents and collects statistics on incidents. These statistics provide communities with informationfor identifying community risk levels of in-transit accidents.USING HIGHWAYS FOR NO-NOTICE EVACUATIONS67