Statement of Work for Managing Pedestrians During Evacuation of Metropolitan Areas

COTM Name: Vince Pearce

Objective

This study will evaluate and make recommendations for actions that can be taken to manage pedestrian traffic during metropolitan evacuations to assure safe and effective movement of pedestrians while minimizing their impact on vehicular traffic.

Background

Prior studies have shown that unmanaged pedestrian traffic can significantly impact movement of vehicles (both outbound evacuees and inbound responders) during evacuation of a metropolitan area. Little information or guidance is available for transportation and public safety professionals as to how to effectively control, influence, or accommodate pedestrians under these circumstances in ways that minimize the impact on vehicular traffic.

Scope

Task 1 - Timeline, kickoff, and reports

Develop a timeline for the tasks to be undertaken in this project, submit the timeline for FHWA approval, and shall revise it as appropriate. Organize a kickoff conference call or meeting to discuss the project plan and timeline with the FHWA COTM. Document discussion and conclusions from the kickoff.

Task 2 - Literature Search

Search both domestic and international sources for information on what pedestrian behaviors have been documented or can be expected during disasters in metropolitan areas, what prior practices have been employed by transportation and public safety personnel to manage pedestrians, what guidance public safety officers have been given in managing this behavior, and what level of impact on vehicular traffic has resulted from pedestrian traffic. Include anecdotal information as well as formally studied results. Produce a summary of the findings.

Task 3 - Recent Experience

Identify and gather data from transportation and public safety authorities with recent experiences in no-notice evacuations in major metropolitan areas. Collect and document the interview data.

Task 4 - Concept Development

Identify concepts and techniques that have been applied in managing pedestrian traffic. Identify and interview other potential subject matter experts to "brainstorm" possible additional approaches. Draft a white paper describing the concepts.

Task 5 - Concept Evaluation

Identify possible participants for a forum/focus group meeting at which these concepts would be presented and discussed. Participants should include public safety, transit, emergency management, and traffic practitioners, with special focus on those with practical experience in this area. Organize, conduct, and document a focus group discussion, in the Washington, DC metro area, to review the concepts developed in Task 4 with the participants.

Task 6 - Guidance

Based upon the research, subject matter expert input, and focus group response, develop a report of recommended and promising practices for management of pedestrian traffic during metropolitan evacuations. Suggest major gaps in knowledge and areas needing further research. Include as chapters the papers developed in preceding tasks.