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

n Condition of transportation network infrastructure, includinglocations of impediments such as work zones and traffic incidentsn Congestion levels in the transportation network (initial and ongoing)n Response agencies’ level of readiness and availabilityn Contact information for response agenciesn Response agencies’ deployment locations and activityn Availability and location of material and resources to supportevacuation effortsn State of readiness and occupancy levels of sheltering locationsSource: Massachusetts Highway Department.The evacuation plan should specify how coordinating and participatingagencies will collect, analyze and share relevant informationquickly after a precipitating incident. Planners need to determine thekey topics on which to focus during initial time period, how to collectthat information, and how to transmit the information to a range ofstakeholders.As part of this determination, each stakeholder should identify thesystems and methods they have for collecting and providing critical information.Transportation agencies in particular are well-positioned tocompile some of the information listed above. Through resources suchas embedded road sensors, traffic cameras, and other ITS components,they can rapidly determine the state of the transportation network.More importantly, they can typically process this information rapidlyat specialized facilities such as local and regional TMCs.Transportation agencies can improve the evacuation planning and preparednessprocess through two activities. First, determine the specificinformation collection capabilities provided by their systems and staff,identify where vulnerabilities might exist, and communicate thesecapabilities and vulnerabilities to the evacuation planners. This willensure that the plan leverages the available information while retainingrealistic expectations for information availability. Second, transportationagencies should train their staff and prepare their systems to maximizetheir information collection capabilities, particularly on shortnotice for no-notice scenarios. These activities may include trainingadditional staff to operate ITS systems, augmenting systems to expandtheir capabilities, reinforcing system hardware and networks to ensurecontinued operations during adverse conditions, and performing planningduties at the EOC as a technical expert.76USING HIGHWAYS FOR NO-NOTICE EVACUATIONS