FINAL REPORT

 

A Study of the Impact of Nine Transportation Management Projects on Hurricane Evacuation Preparedness

November 2003

 

Contract Number: DTFH61-96-C-00098

Task Order 9817

 

 

The report cover page displays a black and white satellite photograph of a large hurricane storm system blanketing the United States' eastern coastline, and expanding to beyond the northeastern-most region in Canada. The eye of the hurricane appears to be centered just off the northeastern-most coastal border between Florida and Georgia, with a dense, heavy cloud cover spiraling westward into the surrounding states of Alabama, Tennessee, and Kentucky.

 

 

 

 

 

Prepared by:

SAIC

151 Lafayette Drive

Oak Ridge, TN  37831

 

 

 

 

 

QUALITY ASSURANCE STATEMENT

 

The Federal Highway Administration provides high-quality information

To serve Government, industry, and the public in a manner that promotes public understanding. Standards and policies are used to ensure and maximize the quality, objectivity, utility, and integrity of its information. FHWA periodically reviews quality issues and adjusts its programs and processes to ensure continuous quality improvement.

 

 

 

 

FINAL REPORT

PDF Printable Version

 

A Study of the Impact of Nine Transportation Management Projects on Hurricane Evacuation Preparedness

 

Contract Number: DTFH61-96-C-00098

Task Order 9817

 

 

 

Prepared for

 

U.S. Department of Transportation

Federal Highway Administration

Ms. Brandy Meehan

 

 

Prepared by

 

Science Applications International Corporation

151 Lafayette Drive

Oak Ridge, TN 37831

 

November 2003

TABLE OF CONTENTS

List of Tables and Figures. v

Acronyms. vi

1.0   Introduction and Background. 1

1.1    Hurricanes and Hurricane Evacuations in the United States. 1

1.2    FHWA Grants To Improve Transportation Operations During Hurricane Evacuations. 3

1.3    This Evaluation Project 4

2.0   State Hurricane Evacuation Planning Activities. 6

2.1    States Pursuing Public Information Activities. 6

2.1.1.   Mississippi 6

2.1.2.   Alabama. 7

2.1.3.   Georgia. 7

2.1.4.   South Carolina. 7

2.2    States Pursuing Technical Activities. 8

2.2.1.   Texas. 8

2.2.2.   Louisiana. 10

2.2.3.   Florida. 10

2.2.4.   North Carolina. 11

2.2.5.   Virginia. 11

3.0   The Louisiana Information Station Deployment 13

3.1    Overview.. 13

3.2    The History of the Information Station. 14

3.3    What is an Information Station?. 15

3.4    Deployment and Operational Costs for the Louisiana Information Stations. 16

3.5    The USGS Streamgaging Program.. 17

3.6    Key Elements for Deploying Information Stations. 18

3.7    Summary. 22

4.0   Lessons Learned. 26

List of Figures and Tables

Figure 3–1. USGS Hydrowatch Stations. 14

Figure 3–2. A USGS Hydrowatch Information Station. 15

 

 

 

Table 1–1.  U.S. Mainland Hurricane Strikes by State (1900 – 2002)