6.8 System Redundancy and Resiliency

Develop Redundancy in Several Areas – “Redundancy, the ability to utilize backup systems for critical parts of the system that fail, is extremely important to consider in the development of a process or plan for emergency response and recovery. In each of the four cases, the portions of the system that failed or required backup were dependent upon the specific nature and scope of the emergency. At a minimum, emergency response planners should consider designing redundancy into the system in several areas: the regional transportation network, agency personnel, communications and utilities, control centers and equipment and supplies.”
Effects of Catastrophic Events on Transportation System Management and Operations: Cross-Cutting Study
Recognize that Solutions Change – “In each of the four cases, transportation agencies had to work together to provide alternative travel options to the public. These alternatives shifted over time in response to changes in travel behaviors of the public.”
Effects of Catastrophic Events on Transportation System Management and Operations: Cross-Cutting Study
Have Additional Trained Staff – “Because emergencies can occur at any time, it is crucial to have a redundant system of trained personnel in place who are able to make good, accurate, and timely decisions. With the New York and Los Angeles cases, the recovery effort lasted for several months. Maintaining staff on emergency status for this length of time can take a toll on personnel and highlights the need to have multiple people trained for each job.”
Effects of Catastrophic Events on Transportation System Management and Operations: Cross-Cutting Study
Have Redundant Equipment and Supplies – “It is important that agencies be able to utilize multiple technologies to communicate with staff and the public. This allows an agency to shift among technologies depending on the demands on the system, the topography of the land, or the amount of destruction to any one type of technology. In New York, the loss of electricity hampered operations and recovery efforts. Redundant mobile generators allowed for the restoration of power to command centers and to emergency responders. Redundant control centers were needed in New York City when existing centers were destroyed. Los Angeles had to build a new center to increase its capacity to respond to the recovery effort. In both Baltimore and New York, agency officials spoke of the need to have redundant supplies of equipment. It was also important to maintain a good inventory of where supplies are kept or could be readily purchased when needed.”
Effects of Catastrophic Events on Transportation System Management and Operations: Cross-Cutting Study

February 7, 2006
Publication #FHWA–HOP-08-015