Office of Operations
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21st Century Operations Using 21st Century Technologies

Emergency Transportation Operations

New Publications

Interview and Survey Results: Assessment of the State of the Practice and State of the Art in Evacuation Transportation Management

The purpose of this report is to document emergency evacuation plans and practices employed by transportation management organizations in several large metropolitan areas in the United States. (HTML, PDF 660KB) (Publication Number: FHWA-HOP-08-016)

Operational Concept - Assessment of the State of the Practice and State of the Art in Evacuation Transportation Management

The purpose of this document is to outline a concept of operations for transportation management during a no-notice emergency evacuation. This report will illustrate how agencies interact with each other, what information is shared, and how transportation systems are effectively managed during disasters. The concept of operations is intended to address who, what, when, where, why, and how the transportation management system needs to operate during a major no-notice event or disaster requiring evacuation. (HTML, PDF 923KB) (Publication Number: FHWA-HOP-08-020)

Transportation is critical to emergency response, no matter the size or the frequency of the event. FHWA is committed to improving our nation's ability to manage emergencies that take place within the transportation network infrastructure or affects it in some way.

The Emergency Transportation Operations (ETO) Program

  • Addresses Activities Along a Response Continuum, Regardless of Cause
  • Provides Technical Assistance, Knowledge and Tools

Read More about Emergency Transportation Operations, FHWA and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) roles/responsibilities, and the FHWA ETO Program.

Resources are available for the following components of ETO:

Current News

  • Interview and Survey Results: Assessment of the State of the Practice and State of the Art in Evacuation Transportation Management - August 13, 2008
    The purpose of this report is to document emergency evacuation plans and practices employed by transportation management organizations in several large metropolitan areas in the United States. This document discusses specific practices with regard to management through the use of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) and related traffic management tools such as CCTV cameras, Dynamic Message Signs (DMS), Highway Advisory Radio (HAR), 511 systems, web sites, interconnected traffic signal systems, High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes, and traffic signal priority for transit. Interview results for 14 public and private transportation agencies from five large metropolitan areas are documented in this report. (Publication Number: FHWA-HOP-08-016)
  • Operational Concept - Assessment of the State of the Practice and State of the Art in Evacuation Transportation Management - August 12, 2008
    The purpose of this document is to outline a concept of operations for transportation management during a no-notice emergency evacuation. This report will illustrate how agencies interact with each other, what information is shared, and how transportation systems are effectively managed during disasters. The concept of operations is intended to address who, what, when, where, why, and how the transportation management system needs to operate during a major no-notice event or disaster requiring evacuation. (Publication Number: FHWA-HOP-08-020)

  • Release of the Best of Public Safety and Emergency Transportation Operations CD - May 30, 2008
    FHWA Office of Operations is pleased to announce the release of "The Best of Public Safety and Emergency Transportation Operations" CD, produced through partnership activities among several US Department of Transportation modes. The CD provides the reader with a compilation of more than 40 resource documents. These documents are arranged by the following focus areas: Public Access to Emergency Services; Enhanced Information Sharing; Evacuation Management and Operations; Transportation Operations During Biohazard Situations; Preparedness and Response; and Planned Special Events. (Publication Number FHWA-JPO-08-037)
  • Archived News

ETO Planning Documents List

The Office of Operations has worked diligently with technical experts in a variety of disciplines to develop documents that may aid in efforts to contribute to evacuation and other emergency operations and transportation plans. Many of these documents are available now electronically, with numerous additional documents expected to be released over the next several months. The ETO Planning Documents List constitutes an inventory of these new publications.

Contact Us

For more information about Emergency Transportation Operations, please contact:
Kimberly Vasconez
Emergency Transportation Operations Team Leader
Kimberly.Vasconez@dot.gov