Evacuation and Return: Increasing Safety and Reducing Risk

https://doi.org/10.21949/15060392019PDFTech ReportFTA Report No. 0137LA-26-7010-00SafetyEvacuationRiskDisasters and emergency operationsTransportationResearchOutreachCase studiesEmergency planningHurricaneCity Assisted EvacuationCAEVulnerable populationsSpecial needsNew Orleans (Louisiana)United States. Federal Transit Administration. Office of Research, Demonstration, and InnovationSchrilla, Thomas P.City of New Orleans. Office of Homeland Security and Emergency PreparednessUnited States. Federal Transit Administration. Office of Research, Demonstration, and InnovationFederal Transit AdministrationEvacuation represents an important strategy for preserving safety and minimizing the risks from disaster. However, a portion of the population face obstacles that prevent them from being able to evacuate on their own. In New Orleans, the local government maintains a plan to help these vulnerable residents to safely evacuate in the event they are not able to do so independently. In the interest of improving cities\u2019 ability prepare for and execute an effective evacuation, New Orleans\u2019 City-Assisted Evacuation (CAE) plan was tested and evaluated to assess whether existing practices would adequately meet the needs of the vulnerable populations for whom they are intended. A comprehensive review of the CAE plan investigated multiple aspects of the process, from planning and design stages through implementation and execution. The project concluded that some aspects of the process did not fully support the needs of New Orleans\u2019 vulnerable populations. Areas for improvement were identified and potential solutions proposed.2-page Report Summary is included on Supporting Files tab.85