VTrans2025 Multimodal Impact Networks (MIN)
Emergency Transportation
I. Introduction
A. Overview of the multimodal system
The objective of this network is to ensure that operational transportation policies,
protocols, procedures, routes, practices, and improvements are put into place within the
Commonwealth of Virginia that will enable people and goods to move safely and
effectively during threatening situations while still enabling emergency access to the
scene(s), and will facilitate re-establishment of transportation following an emergency.—
Adapted from the Federal Highway Administration Operations Unit
On January 31, 2002, Governor Mark R. Warner signed Executive Order 7
establishing the Secure Virginia Initiative. The responsibilities charged to the Initiative
are generally summarized as follows:
“Improve the Commonwealth’s preparedness and response and recovery capability for
natural disasters and emergencies of all kinds, including terrorist attacks.”
http://www.commonwealthpreparedness.virginia.gov/documents/SecureVAReport_July20
02.doc
B. Lead agency, participating agencies, and non-public participation
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Federal Highway Administration-Operations Unit
Virginia Department of Emergency Management
Virginia Railway Express
Virginia Department of Transportation
Metro
U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transportation Administration
American Red Cross of the National Capital Area
American Public Transportation Association
C. Points of contact, address, e-mail
Virginia Department of Emergency Management
Public Affairs Office
10501 Trade Court
Richmond, VA 23236
Virginia Railway Express
1500 King Street, Suite 202
Alexandria, Virginia 22314
Virginia Department of Transportation
Central Office
1221 East Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23219
(804) 786-2801
D. Date prepared and dates that comments are due [if applicable]
TBD
E. List of preparers
TBD
F. Distribution list of agencies, organizations, others from whom comment is
solicited
TBD
G. References, web sites, etc.
VDOT http://www.virginiadot.org
Virginia Department of Emergency Management http://www.vdem.state.va.us/
Virginia Railway Express(VRE) www.vre.org
VDOT Traffic and Travel http://www.virginiadot.org/comtravel/hurricane-evac-hro.asp
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority www.metroopensdoors.com
Local Transit Organizations Make Emergency Preparedness
Planshttp://www.vre.org/service/commuterweekly/emergency_plans.htm
Secure Virginia Initiative Progress Report
http://www.commonwealthpreparedness.virginia.gov/documents/SecureVAReport_July2
002.doc
Federal Highway AdministrationOperations Unithttp://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/OpsSecurity/index.htm
II. Need and purpose of the multimodal system
A. Provide summary of the need and purpose, including assessment of intermodal
connectivity
The need for ensuring the operation and integrity of America’s surface transportation
system is evident following the events of September 11, 2001. Good transportation
system operation is key to ensuring safe, continuous movement of people and goods
during a national and state security event.
Effective emergency management frequently relies on understanding potential
evacuation options—their feasibility and the optimal response strategies associated with
each. Doing this requires detailed knowledge of travel behavior and characteristics of the
transportation system.
http://www.ieminc.com/Products_and_Services/transportation_evacuation%20modeling.
htm
B. Identify relevant goals, objectives, performance measures, stakeholders
PREPARING AMERICA-UNITES STATES GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
In the event of a terrorist attack, natural disaster or other large-scale emergency,
the Department of Homeland Security will assume primary responsibility on March 1st
for ensuring that emergency response professionals are prepared for any situation. This
will entail providing a coordinated, comprehensive federal response to any large-scale
crisis and mounting a swift and effective recovery effort. The new Department will also
prioritize the important issue of citizen preparedness. Educating America's families on
how best to prepare their homes for a disaster and tips for citizens on how to respond in a
crisis will be given special attention at DHS.
http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/theme_home2.jsp
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
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Implement intelligent transportation systems (including aviation navigational aid
systems) throughout the state, as appropriate.
Upgrade traffic surveillance and congestion management systems on interstate
highways and expressways.
Implement capacity and safety improvements, as appropriate, statewide
(specifically, Route 13 Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, Route 460, Interstate 95,
and Interstate 64).
Improve multimodal access to and from major activity centers and transportation
facilities.
Upgrade security at critical transportation facilities.
Facilitate coordination among military, public, private, and other emergency
responders.
The Federal Highway Administration works with state and local transportation
agencies and transportation partners to improve their capabilities and preparedness. The
following Transportation Agency Plan is suggested by the Federal Highway
Administration and can be used as a guide for Virginia.

Transportation Agency Plans
o The transportation agency has a plan, and follows it.
o It addresses both response and recovery.
o
o

It is current and complete.
It includes the types of threats we are now likely to face, including
biological, chemical, and radiological.
o They have exercised using it.
o It reflects the available resources; they know where to find these and how
to use them. These resources include:
–Personnel
–Assets
–Personal protective equipment
–Supplies
o It includes actions at every level in the Homeland Security Advisory
System.
o It includes pre-planned alternate routes around all major assets and choke
points.
Regional Emergency Management Plans
o Transportation is reflected appropriately in the regional emergency
management plan.
STAKE HOLDERS
Executive Order 7 directed that a summit of the key stakeholder groups be
convened to discuss the Commonwealth’s level of readiness and to solicit input on areas
requiring improvement.
On April 3, 2002, the Secure Virginia Initiative Forum was held in Richmond. In
attendance were over 250 professionals representing the key stakeholder groups:
•Emergency Management
•Fire
•Emergency Medical Services
•Law Enforcement
•Financial Services
•Health Care
•Technology
•Transportation
•Utility
•Agriculture
The attendees provided valuable input that has been shared with the full Panel and will be
considered in its deliberations through the First Responders and other sub-Panels. In
addition, the summary of input was developed following the meeting and shared with all
attendees as a means of establishing continuing dialogue on issues affecting
Commonwealth Preparedness.
http://www.commonwealthpreparedness.virginia.gov/documents/SecureVAReport_July20
02.doc
C. Identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats (including sociodemographic trends)
TBD
D. Identify precedents and lessons learned
TBD
III. Rationale for the selected alternative
A. Provide summary rationale for the selected alternative, e.g., benefit-cost
evaluation
The composition of the Disaster Evacuation/Emergency Response Plan involves
multiple modes of transportation on every governmental level - including federal, state,
and local officials, as well as the private sector, in order to develop a seamless,
coordinated security and preparedness strategy.
The rational for deciding among competing evacuation or emergency response
alternatives is based on the following transportation plan objectives and must be
deliberated on each government level.
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
The transportation agency has a plan, and follows it.
It addresses both response and recovery.
It is current and complete.
It includes the types of threats we are now likely to face, including
biological, chemical, and radiological.
They have exercised using it.
It reflects the available resources; they know where to find these and how
to use them. These resources include:
–Personnel
–Assets
–Personal protective equipment
–Supplies
It includes actions at every level in the Homeland Security Advisory
System.
It includes pre-planned alternate routes around all major assets and choke
points.
B. Identify alternatives, including the no-action alternative
C. Identify alternatives not explored below and explain why
D. Contrast alternatives with respect to goals, objectives, selected measures
E. Contrast alternatives by cost
IV. System integration and implementation plan
A. Provide summary of the integration and implementation plans
VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION IMPLEMENTATION PLANS
VDOT has developed evacuation plans designed to minimize problems caused by
heavy traffic. The evacuation routes by area are divided into four areas, Hampton Roads,
Northern Neck, Middle Peninsula, and the Eastern Shore. Following is the evacuation
plan for the areas.
Evacuating the Hampton Roads Area
Due to the large population and limited number of highways leading out of
Hampton Roads, phased evacuation using assigned routes is necessary
Phase One Routes
Hampton, Poquoson, Virginia Beach, Norfolk, and York County should evacuate
using phase one routes.
Phase one evacuees should evacuate 24 to 14 hours prior to the onset of tropical
storm force winds.
Phase Two Routes
Newport News, the remainder of Hampton, Chesapeake, Portsmouth and Suffolk
should evacuate using phase two routes.
Phase two evacuees should evacuate 14 hours prior to the onset of tropical storm
force winds
Evacuating Outlying Areas
Middle Peninsula - Residents in Mathews, Gloucester and Middlesex counties
should evacuate along Route 17 north.
Northern Neck - Residents of Northumberland, Westmoreland, Lancaster and
Richmond counties should evacuate along Route 202 and 203 to Route 3 north
toward Fredericksburg.
Eastern Shore - Northampton and Accomack residents should not use the
Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. Instead, residents should head north on Route 13
http://www.virginiadot.org/comtravel/hurricane-evac-hro.asp
RAIL IMPLEMENTATION PLANS
Transit organizations in and around the Washington metropolitan area have spent
a significant amount of time and resources planning for emergencies. Virginia Railway
Express (VRE), not surprisingly, has focused its resources on devising an emergency
preparedness plan in the event that the Washington, D.C. and Northern Virginia suburbs
must be evacuated.
For “standard” service disruptions, VRE has contracted with PRTC/OmniRide to be its
agent for emergency bus service. But since bus service alone could never handle the
number of passengers a mass evacuation would create, VRE is advising that upon notice
of an emergency situation, passengers should first check the VRE Web site
(www.vre.org) for emergency updates and for information about the steps VRE is taking
to get its customers home. Subscribers to the “Train Talk” e-mail newsletter will also
receive updates without requiring them to visit the Web site (to subscribe, visit
www.vre.org/feedback/listserv.htm.
http://www.vre.org/service/commuterweekly/emergency_plans.htm
OTHER INTEGRATION PLANS
Emergency Alert System Enhancements
BACKGROUND: The Emergency Alert System (EAS) is the current version of the
former Emergency Broadcast System (EBS), which was developed and designed
during the Cold War era to allow the President of the United States to communicate
directly with Americans in a National Emergency (i.e. a strategic nuclear attack
against the continental U.S.). Thankfully, to date, there has been no need for the
President to utilize the system for this purpose. There are other permissible uses of
the system at the national, state, and local levels for natural disasters and other
emergencies. The activation of the system for non-Presidential emergencies is
however, strictly voluntary on the part of broadcasters. The Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) regulates the operation of EAS. There is a “State Emergency
Communications Committee” (SECC) in each state, which is responsible to the FCC
for developing an EAS Plan specific to that state and for overall coordination of the
EAS within that state. The SECC Chairperson is an FCC-appointed position.
ACTION: Governor Warner has approved the first phase of a plan to provide satellitebased emergency messaging system that provides the capability to transmit an EAS
message to an individual station or a group of stations, simultaneously and
instantaneously. The system must provide for secure transmission and
acknowledgement to ensure reliability. Such a system is currently available and is
being considered for use by the states of Maryland, North Carolina and the District of
Columbia. Federal funding will support this effort.
Designation of Permanent Web-site for Communicating With the Public During
Emergencies and Disasters
BACKGROUND: Past disasters to include the 9/11 terrorist attack have clearly
illustrated that citizens seek information via the Internet/Web. Since 1996, the
Virginia Department of Emergency Management has had a strong presence on the
Web. Their site, www.vaemergency.com, has been recognized nationally for its
content, ease of use, interactivity and up-to-date information. The site is fairly well
known among citizens, the media and local governments. Currently, a P-14 wage
employee at VDEM manages the Web site. A portion of the site development is done
by an outside contractor. During emergencies such as the 9/11 Pentagon attack and
Hurricane Floyd, the Web site experienced a 320 percent jump in usage.
The VDEM Web site has performed a significant service to citizens and the media
during past emergencies and disasters. However, during a major terrorist event or
catastrophic natural disaster, the current staffing, infrastructure, content, hardware
and software would not be sufficient to meet the high demand for information.
ACTION: Governor Warner has approved use of federal funding an upgrade of the
vaemergency.com web site so that is complete, more fully interactive and will
become the first point of reference for anyone seeking the latest information about
terrorist activity or any other Virginia emergency. The annual cost of such an
upgrade to include hardware, software, Web development, maintenance and staffing
is estimated at $100,000.
http://www.commonwealthpreparedness.virginia.gov/documents/SecureVAReport_Jul
y2002.doc
Metro Advice and Suggestions
 The Voice-Activated Ride Guide: This provides the identical service as listed
above, but without the need for a computer. People can call (202) 637-7000 to
access the Ride Guide via telephone. This is also a good option should
someone with a cell phone suddenly find himself on a street corner in need of
finding out how to get home using public transit.
 Maps: Metrorail maps identify locations where the VRE, MARC and Amtrak
stations are located at or near Metrorail stations. For a map of VRE’s stations,
visit www.vre.org/service/systmmp.htm.)
 Timetables: Metrorail and Metrobus timetables are also available online at
www.metroopensdoors.com. VRE’s schedules are also online, at
www.vre.org/service/schedule.htm.
 E-mail Alerts. Just as VRE offers “Train Talk,” commuters can sign up for
similar e-mail alerts from Metro.
 Transportation Links: Metro's Web site will carry emergency transportation
information, regardless of whether that information is Metro-related. Links to
other transportation providers is also located on Metro's Web site.
http://www.vre.org/service/commuterweekly/emergency_plans.htm
B. Identify constituent projects of the multimodal system
SHELTERS
Many shelters in Virginia operate under a system developed by the American Red
Cross. Shelter staffing can include any combination of municipal, social services and
school employees with Red Cross volunteers.
Facts about emergency public shelters:

They provide emergency, short-term shelter to the public
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Shelters outside the storm surge and flood zones meet state building codes
and provide a safer place for people who must leave the hazard areas. All
shelters in the path of a hurricane are subject to high winds.
Shelters outside the storm surge and flood zones meet state building codes
and provide a safer place for people who must leave the hazard areas. All
shelters in the path of a hurricane are subject to high winds.
Emergency shelters may not be able to provide adequate supplies of food, water
and bedding, so individuals coming to shelters should bring the following items to
support their stay:

Pillows, blankets, sleeping bags or air mattresses
Extra clothing, shoes, eyeglasses, etc.
Folding chairs, lawn chairs or cots
Personal hygiene supplies
Flashlights and batteries
Quiet games, books and favorite toys
Important papers
Prescription medications
http://www.vaemergency.com/03hurr/shelters.htm
PLANNING FOR EMERGENCIES
Metro, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Department of
Transportation’s Federal Transportation Administration, the American Red Cross of the
National Capital Area and the American Public Transportation Association are
collaborating to help area residents prepare for emergencies regardless of where someone
is when it occurs. The new partnership encourages people to plan for emergencies that
are likely to affect their typical commute and know how to respond if the emergency
occurs while commuting to/from home and work.
“The U.S. Department of Transportation, the Federal Transit Administration, and the
American Public Transportation Association are all committed to expanding this critical
collaborative effort with other transit agencies and Red Cross chapters throughout the
region using this partnership as a model,”.
http://wmata.com/about/MET_NEWS/PressReleaseDetail.cfm?ReleaseID=10&PrintFrie
ndly=Y
VIRGINIA'S FIRST RESPONDERS IMPLEMENTATION PLAN
On Thursday June 5, the Director of the Office for National Capital Region
Coordination at the Department of Homeland Security, Michael Byrne, traveled to
Richmond, Virginia to meet with Governor John Warner and State Homeland Security
Advisor John Hager and announce the recent award of $33,683,000 to the
Commonwealth of Virginia to enhance the capabilities of the state and local first
responder groups. These funds can be used for equipment, training, planning and
exercises for first responders. In addition, a portion of the funds is available to help
offset the costs associated with enhanced security measures deployed under the
heightened threat period during the conflict in Iraq.
http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/display?content=913
First Responder Training Center
Washington, D.C. – The George Washington University will spearhead an
effort to create a first responder training center on its Virginia campus in Loudoun
County with funding included in the FY ’03 spending bill approved by Congress.
The 5 million dollar appropriation will establish the Response to Emergencies and
Disasters Institute, or READI, to train firefighters, EMS personnel, law
enforcement and other healthcare providers in an integrated approach to major
emergencies including terrorism. READI will focus on providing emergency
responders with a thorough understanding of the health and medical requirements
of emergency preparedness while developing and demonstrating "best practices"
for emergency personnel nationwide. Partnering with GW in this project will be
George Mason University and Shenandoah University.
http://www.gwu.edu/~newsctr/03/0213/readi.html
C. Describe government, private, stakeholder coordination and source(s) of funding
and resources
TBD
D. Describe milestones, schedule, expenditures/resources, and project
interdependencies
TBD
E. Describe interim assessment and evaluation plans
TBD