01590078

Component

A recent lava flow in Puna, Hawaii threatened to close one of the major highways serving the region. This paper describes the events and responses and identifies challenges associated with managing a complex, long duration disaster. In addition to the need to better understand geologic hazards and threats, there is a need for timely information as well as effective response and recovery of transportation infrastructure. This requires the coordination and sharing of information between scientists, emergency managers, transportation planners, government agencies, and community organizations. Transportation assets play a critical role in terms of problem definition, response, and recovery. There are challenges with managing a long duration event such as: 1) determining when a sufficient threat level exists to close roads; 2) identifying alternative routes and transportation alternatives; 3) assessing impacts on communities including the direct threats to homes, businesses, structures, and infrastructure; 4) engaging communities in planning and deliberation of choices and alternatives; and 5) managing uncertainties and different responses and reactions to hazards, threats, and risks. The transportation planning process provides a pathway for addressing initial community concerns. Focusing not just on roadways but also travel behavior before, during, and after disasters is a vital aspect of building resilience. The experience in Hawaii and in Puna with the recent volcanic event is relevant to other communities seeking to adapt and manage long-term threats such as climate change, sea level risk, and other long duration events.

This paper was sponsored by TRB committee ABR10 Standing Committee on Critical Transportation Infrastructure Protection.

01584066

16-4693

English

20p

2016

Transportation Research Board 95th Annual Meeting

Digital/other

Figures; Maps; References; Tables

Disasters and emergency operations; Infrastructure; Service disruption; Time duration; Uncertainty; Volcanic eruptions

Lava flows

Puna (Hawaii)

Planning and Forecasting; Security and Emergencies; Transportation (General); I72: Traffic and Transport Planning

Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting 2016 Paper #16-4693

TRIS, TRB, ATRI

Jan 12 2016 6:04PM