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Emergency Route Working Group

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Emergency Route Working Group (ERWG) Report of Recommendations to the Secretary of Transportation [HTML, PDF 529KB]

Emergency Route Working Group Home | Frequently Asked Questions | Committee Charter | ERWG Membership List | Public ERWG Meetings

In December 2015, President Obama signed the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act (FAST) Act which provides long-term surface transportation funding. Section 5502 of the (FAST) Act requires the Department of Transportation to create an Emergency Route Working Group (ERWG). The purpose of the ERWG is to provide advice and recommendations to the Secretary of Transportation on best practices for expeditious State approval of special permits for vehicles involved in emergency response and recovery.

The Department is establishing the ERWG through the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), doing so enables us to consult with outside groups for advice in developing a report on best practices and will ensure Congress and the general public remain informed of the purpose, membership, and activities of the advisory group.

Nomination Information

On August 24, 2016, a Notice was published in the Federal Register indicating procedures for nomination for ERWG membership. That notice can be viewed at https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2016/08/24/2016-20233/emergency-route-working-group-erwg-federal-advisory-committee.

Roles of the Committee

  • ERWG shall provide the Secretary of Transportation, through the Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), with advice and recommendations for the implementation of best practices for expeditious State approval of special permits for vehicles involved in emergency response and recovery. In determining best practices, the ERWG shall consider whether:
    • Impediments currently exist that prevent expeditious State approval of special permits for vehicles involved in emergency response and recovery;
    • It is possible to pre-identify and establish emergency routes between States through which infrastructure repair materials could be delivered following a natural disaster or emergency;
    • A State could pre-designate an emergency route identified under paragraph (b) as a certified emergency route if a motor vehicle that exceeds the otherwise applicable Federal and State truck length or width limits may safely operate along such route during periods of declared emergency and recovery from such periods; and
    • An online map could be created to identify each pre-designated emergency route under paragraph (c), including information on specific limitations, obligations, and notification requirements along that route.

Reports

  • Emergency Route Working Group (ERWG) Report of Recommendations to the Secretary of Transportation [HTML, PDF 529KB]

Contact Information

Chandra Bondzie
Chandra.Bondzie@dot.gov or erwg@dot.gov
202-366-9083
  Last modified: March 16, 2020