01643108

Monograph

http://www.trb.org/Main/Blurbs/176090.aspx

As a result of the 2014 outbreak of Ebola, federal and state authorities in the United States have implemented emergency measures to combat and contain the spread of the disease. Transit and other public agencies have developed emergency advance measures and directives to employ for immediate containment. This research examines responses to infectious disease epidemics and identifies legal issues that may be confronted by transit agencies. Such responses include but are not limited to closures of public facilities, businesses, and other major traffic generators; checkpoints for screening; quarantine zones; compulsory leave for possibly infected employees; refusals of employees to come to work; prescreening of passengers; and full or partial suspension of service. The study evaluates privacy and civil rights of patrons and employees, as well as liability issues. The digest considers federal and state laws and available court decisions affecting transit agencies’ responses to infectious disease outbreaks, including potential cohesiveness among transit agencies’ procedures and federal and state guidance. The digest examines the legal basis for the protocols that public transit agencies and other transportation providers such as airlines have planned or implemented to respond to epidemics and pandemics. It reviews pertinent information from leading agencies and organizations such as the Centers for Disease Control, Department of Homeland Security, and the World Health Organization to ascertain what procedures transit agencies should have in place before and during an epidemic. The digest built upon the 2014 NCHRP Report 769: A Guide for Public Transportation Pandemic Planning and Response. The digest should be useful to public transit administrators and other personnel, government and private attorneys, students, professors, and researchers in relevant fields.

TCRP Project J-05, Topic 16-03

English

58p

2017-6

TCRP Legal Research Digest

9780309446235

Digital/other

Tables

Communicable diseases; Disaster preparedness; Public transit; Transit operating agencies

Epidemics

Law; Public Transportation; Security and Emergencies

TRIS, TRB, ATRI

Aug 7 2017 3:26PM