Integrating Pedestrian Disaster Preparedness and Mass Evacuations on Foot into Emergency Evacuation Operations, Local Infrastructure Needs & Long Range Transportation Planning

This paper summarizes the latest state-of-the-art information and best practices for pedestrian disaster preparedness and emergency evacuation planning. These bullets highlight our findings: • The emphasis and context of this presentation is on sudden catastrophic events. • There can be a significant disconnect between what the plan says, and what people actually do to evacuate during a no notice or sudden catastrophic event. • Pedestrian evacuation is now receiving international consideration and recognition. • Where evacuation on foot is faster, which will vary by natural geographic boundaries, topography, and overall street grid density (the denser, the better for walking out). • Context sensitive evacuation strategies must be applied that appropriately match the type of threat or disaster to the proper set of actions that should be taken to save lives. • Implementation of Transition Plans required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is essential for better accommodating pedestrian evacuation within emergency operational planning. • Integrating pedestrians into disaster preparedness involves short term (mass evacuatio