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

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Transportation agencies are critical to this process because they havethe k<strong>no</strong>wledge and expertise to generate the needed data. Most alreadyhave existing transportation studies and analyses with in<strong>for</strong>mationabout traffic capacities; many agencies also have the specialized tools(such as modeling software) to generate data relevant to evacuationpreparation.When planning an evacuation, transportation managers should considerall transportation options, including all modes, as viable alternatives.Although roadway and highway networks will be principal conduits<strong>for</strong> moving a large number of people, the nature and consequences ofa range of events will dictate which transportation options are best.The consideration of an evacuation, particularly one that requiresmass movement of people, requires identifying the transportation optionsavailable within pre-defined, sub-regional corridors. With the<strong>for</strong>ek<strong>no</strong>wledge of capacity and availability of transportation resources– roadway and fixed guideway transit, pedestrians, bicycles and waterways– decisions can be made as to how to distribute evacuees amongmodes, and whether or <strong>no</strong>t additional transit and alternative highoccupancyvehicles should be deployed.Major interdependencies exist in major metropolitan areas that areserved by multiple modes of transportation. Transit systems and commuterrail systems operate in densely traveled corridors that are alsoserved by those <strong>highways</strong> that will be identified as evacuation routes.Highway connectivity is essential <strong>for</strong> moving people onto or collectingindividuals at transit and rail stations and termini, or to ferriesand ports of call, such as cruise ship terminals. Evacuation plannersneed to consider how to maximize the capacity of each component ofthe transportation network as an integrated whole. This also includesconsideration the types of roadway vehicles that should be operating inconjunction with transit and rail operations as well as feasible maritimeresources.After a <strong>no</strong>-<strong>no</strong>tice incident, movement by foot will be the first andsometimes the only choice <strong>for</strong> many evacuees. Even once an incidentcommand is established to manage the incident, pedestrian movementcould be the best and most efficient method of evacuation, at leastfrom those areas closest to the site of the incident. Evacuation planningshould address how to gather and protect pedestrians at or nearUSING HIGHWAYS FOR NO-NOTICE EVACUATIONS69

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