3.2 Review and Analysis of Information
The literature search sought to identify anecdotal information and documented assessments of evacuation experiences, lessons learned, and any guidance for transportation, public safety, and emergency management agencies that may have been developed following evacuation events. The Booz Allen team identified the following evacuation transportation issues and considerations: nature of the hazard, transportation objectives, infrastructure, coordination, communication, special needs, changing conditions, and impacts to transportation.
A review of the literature found that very little has been written and documented on no-notice evacuations. Part of this may be due to the nature of the incident (perceived as once in a lifetime) and the willingness of participants to conduct an examination of the event. Information has been written regarding the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York City and Washington, DC; the blackouts of New York City and Detroit, Michigan; the firestorms of British Columbia, Canada; the southern California wildfires; the Northridge earthquake; the I-95 tanker explosion; and the Howard Street rail tunnel fire in Baltimore, Maryland. However, the focus was not necessarily on evacuations. Information was included on these incidents and others since it is applicable to no-notice events and those with some notice such as hurricanes.
February 7, 2006
Publication #FHWA–HOP-08-015
