2.5 Emergency Management Systems

Benefits of emergency management include improved notification, dispatch, and guidance of emergency responders to the scene of an incident. Figure 2.5.1 shows the current classification of benefits and costs for emergency management systems. ITS applications in emergency management cover hazardous materials management, the deployment of emergency medical systems, and large- and small-scale emergency response and evacuation operations. Each of these systems can improve public safety by decreasing response times and increasing the operational efficiency of safety professionals during emergency situations, such as hurricane evacuations.

Across the United States, federal, state, and local governments are working to support first responders, secure our borders, and improve technology for national security. As these programs come to fruition, additional information will become available on the benefits of ITS for emergency management activities.

ITS applications associated with hazardous materials (HAZMAT) shipment can accomplish four major functions intended to provide for the safe and secure transport of hazardous materials by road. Vehicle-mounted hardware provides the capability to track HAZMAT shipments and support the notification of management centers when a shipment deviates from its intended route. Roadside detectors can monitor for the presence of hazardous shipments in sensitive areas and, if electronic tag information is available on the detected vehicle, confirm that the shipment is on the expected route. Driver authentication technology can confirm that the individual operating a HAZMAT vehicle is authorized to do so and report operation by unexpected drivers to public safety entities. ITS can also provide assistance to commercial vehicle operators via electronic route planning services, ensuring compliance with HAZMAT shipment restrictions along planned travel routes.[104]

Advanced automated collision notification (ACN) and telemedicine address the detection of and response to incidents such as vehicle collisions or other incidents requiring emergency responders. In rural areas, response time for emergency medical services is greater than in metropolitan areas, resulting in more severe consequences for those in need of medical assistance. Advanced automated collision notification systems can notify emergency personnel and provide them with valuable information on the crash, including location, crash characteristics, and possibly relevant medical information regarding the vehicle occupants. Telemedicine systems provide a link between responding ambulances and emergency medical facilities, enabling doctors to advise emergency medical personnel regarding treatment of patients en route to the hospital.

The variety of sensors deployed on the transportation infrastructure can help provide an early warning system to detect large-scale emergencies, including natural disasters (hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, winter storms, tsunamis, etc.) and technological and man-made disasters (HAZMAT incidents, nuclear power plant accidents, and acts of terrorism, including nuclear, chemical, biological, and radiological weapons attacks). In the event of a large-scale emergency, ITS applications can assist with response management through services such as the tracking of emergency vehicle fleets using automated vehicle location (AVL) technology and two-way communications between emergency vehicles and dispatchers. Evacuation operations often require a coordinated emergency response involving multiple agencies, various emergency centers, and numerous response plans. Integration with traffic and transit management systems enables emergency information to be shared between public and private agencies and the traveling public. This communication and cooperation also enables the use of the variety of ITS information dissemination capabilities to provide emergency traveler information.

Table 2.5.1 provides information on the benefits and costs of emergency management systems. An assessment of the impact of these systems is indicated by using the symbols in the Impact Legend at the bottom of each page.

Table 2.5.1 – Benefits and Costs of Emergency Management Systems

Hazardous Materials Management

Benefits
No data to report.
Costs
Unit Costs Database	Emergency Response Center subsystem Emergency Vehicle On-Board subsystem Fleet Management Center subsystem	See Appendix A
System Cost	No data to report.

Emergency Medical Services: Advanced ACN

Benefits
No data to report.
Costs
Unit Costs Database	Emergency Response Center subsystem Vehicle On-Board subsystem	See Appendix A
System Cost	No data to report.

Emergency Medical Services: Telemedicine

Benefits
Goal Area	# of Studies	Impact	Example
Customer Satisfaction	1	+/-	The LifeLink project in San Antonio, Texas, enabled emergency room doctors to communicate with emergency medical technicians (EMTs) using two-way video, audio, and data communications. EMTs and doctors had mixed opinions about the system; however, it was expected that this technology would have more positive impacts in rural areas.[10]
Costs
Unit Costs Database	Roadside Telecommunications subsystem Emergency Response Center subsystem Emergency Vehicle On-Board subsystem		See Appendix A
System Cost	The LifeLink project (San Antonio, Texas) was deployed to provide improved emergency services. The system supports voice and video teleconferencing between University Hospital and 10 of the ambulances in the San Antonio Fire Department. Much of the cost of the project is attributed to research and development.[10]		Project cost: $3.25 million (1998) Annual O&M cost: $25,325 (1998)

Response and Recovery: Response Management

Benefits
No data to report.
Costs
Unit Costs Database	Emergency Response Center subsystem Emergency Vehicle On-Board subsystem	See Appendix A
(New) System Cost	The Combined Transportation, Emergency & Communication Center (CTECC) is a multiagency partnership between the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Austin District, Travis County, City of Austin, and Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority. The technological systems presently involved in the CTECC include 911 call handling, radio trunking, computer aided dispatch (CAD), mobile data computer (MDC) including AVL, and transportation and transit services. These integrated systems are essential to the delivery of emergency and transportation services in the Austin and Travis County region.[11]	PBX telephone equipment: $677,125 Client/server LAN/WAN equipment: $727,537 Video wall equipment: $2.16 million Audio/video distribution equipment: $706,427 Structured wiring and cabling: $500,340 Miscellaneous computer equipment: $209,000
System Cost	To overcome the lack of shared communication among emergency operations centers (EOCs) in the Seattle, Washington, metropolitan area, the Smart Trek project purchased and distributed to each EOC communications equipment that operated on the same frequency. The project cost included the purchase of sixteen 800 MHz radios, three repeater station upgrades, other equipment, and planning and development labor costs.[5]	Project cost: $151,700 (1998) Annual O&M cost: $2,860 (1998)

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