Which Mode Should I Choose to Evacuate: Analyze and Synthesize Case Studies of Rapid-Onset Disasters

Evacuate efficiently from risk areas during an imminent rapid-onset disaster can significantly impact life safety. However, understanding the impact of mode choice during evacuation remains insufficient. The recent development of computer simulation methods, such as agent-based model, provides opportunities for researchers and emergency managers to explore this question and test various scenarios to prepare and plan for future events. This study analyzes the simulation results from tsunami and wildfire evacuation simulation case studies and compares them with empirical evidence from questionnaire surveys and evacuation drills. The findings show that there is the “sweet spot” of mode split to reach the best evacuation outcome across different communities and transportation networks. Simulation studies uncover that total mortality reaches the lowest in both tsunami and wildfire evacuations when 70%–80% of people evacuate by foot, and the rest of the people evacuate by vehicles. However, the empirical survey data reveal people may not comply with the protective action recommendations. This research also suggests that information and knowledge play a critical role in mode choice; thus, risk communication is still the cost-effective way to improve disaster response. The insights from this study can help emergency managers enhance the effectiveness of communities’ rapid-onset disaster evacuation plans and response.

• Record URL:
  • https://doi.org/10.1061/9780784484883.007
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/9780784484883
• Supplemental Notes:
  • © 2023 American Society of Civil Engineers.
• Corporate Authors:

  American Society of Civil Engineers

  1801 Alexander Bell Drive
  Reston, VA  United States  20191-4400
• Authors:
  • Urbane, Lukas M
  • Chen, Chen
  • Lindell, Michael
  • Wang, Haizhong
• Conference:
  • International Conference on Transportation and Development 2023
  • Location: Austin Texas, United States
  • Date: 2023-6-14 to 2023-6-17
• Publication Date: 2023

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Features: References;
• Pagination: pp 72-83
• Monograph Title: International Conference on Transportation and Development 2023: Transportation Planning, Operations, and Transit

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Emergency management; Evacuation; Modal split; Mode choice; Tsunamis; Wildfires
• Subject Areas: Highways; Planning and Forecasting; Security and Emergencies;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01886900
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 9780784484883
• Files: TRIS, ASCE
• Created Date: Jun 30 2023 11:28AM