BACKGROUND
Disasters in the United States and internationally have highlighted the consequences of disasters not only on the immediately impacted area, but also on other jurisdictions and regions. Responding to disasters, emergencies, and significant events requires regional planning, with plans designed to facilitate responses by public and private transportation stakeholders and planners. The 2010 NCHRP Report 525, Volume 16: Guide to Emergency Response Planning at State Transportation Agencies addresses internal planning processes used at departments of transportation (DOTs) and other state agencies to align their plans with other entities. Transportation stakeholders need to communicate and coordinate responsibilities, roles, limitations, and capabilities among all public and private entities involved in operations and planning for regional disasters, emergencies, and significant events. Research is needed to develop a Guide that will aid users by providing a logical thought process as to what should be considered, with whom to collaborate both inside and outside the transportation community, and how to lead discussions with or ask questions of those unfamiliar with emergency transportation planning and operations.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this research is to develop a Guide with principles and resources for facilitating regional transportation planning, coordination, and operations across all modes for disasters, emergencies, and significant events. The Guide should be appropriately designed for use by transportation planning and emergency management stakeholders (i.e., local, state, regional, tribal, federal, and private emergency planners, stakeholders, and transportation providers). It should provide sufficient detail to allow users to adapt it to their individual entities.
TASKS
Phase I
(1). Describe, analyze, and critique pertinent domestic and international research, on the basis of applicability, conclusiveness of findings, and usefulness for regional transportation planning for disasters, emergencies, and significant events for all modes of transportation (public and private). The review should include (but not be limited to) research which is completed and currently underway; accepted practices; guidelines; published plans; tools; systems; training; exercises; and after-action reports from regional transportation disaster responses to real national and international events.(2). Prepare survey instruments and a sampling plan to obtain current and past practices as well as lessons regarding transportation’s role in regional transportation planning, coordination, and operations across all modes for disasters, emergencies, and significant events among relevant entities (e.g., private-sector modes; federal, local, state, tribal, and regional entities with emergency management and response responsibilities; metropolitan planning organizations; and regional planning organizations). The survey instruments and sampling plan shall be submitted for NCHRP review and approval prior to use. Upon approval, conduct the survey. (3). Based on Tasks 1 and 2, prepare a synthesis of current practices and identify planning principles employed. Identify (a) real or perceived programmatic, organizational, administrative, budgetary, and regulatory hurdles that limit effective regional transportation planning, coordination, and operations across all modes; (b) guidance and tools used to overcome the hurdles; and, (c) gaps and opportunities for improved practices. Ensure principles are identified that meet the needs of all entities, including smaller and rural entities. (4). Prepare an interim report, within 6 months, to document Tasks 1 through 3 for review by the NCHRP. Include a detailed outline of the Guide and a revised Phase II work plan.
Phase II
(5). Develop a Guide that provides principles and guidelines for regional transportation planning, coordination, and operations across all modes for disasters, emergencies, and significant events. The Guide should include an annotated literature review, case studies, and lessons observed domestically and internationally. It should also include examples applying the principles and guidelines. Prepare a 30- to 60-minute PowerPoint slide show (including script) for use in introducing the principles and guidelines. (6). Review the Task 5 Guide and PowerPoint presentation with transportation planning and emergency management stakeholders who have a role in regional transportation planning, coordination, and operations across all modes for disasters, emergencies, and significant events. The review should reflect approaches from all modes of transportation and diverse regions. Submit a technical memorandum summarizing findings and planned adjustments based on the Task 5 and Task 6 reviews. (7). \Prepare a final report documenting the entire research effort. The report should include a potential implementation plan (to be implemented by others) and identify potential follow-on research. Include, as separate deliverables, (a) an executive summary of the project; (b) an updated Task 4 short PowerPoint presentation suitable for use by panel members and others in describing the research and for posting on the project website; and (c) an updated Task 5 Guide (and 30- to 60-minute PowerPoint slide show) that provides principles and guidelines for regional transportation planning, coordination, and operations across all modes for disasters, emergencies, and significant events, and includes an annotated literature review, case studies, and lessons observed domestically and internationally.
