Book Description

"A pandemic can be described as a global disease outbreak. Depending on the characteristics of the disease, it may spread easily, there is little or no immunity to the disease, no vaccine is available, and there is a high rate of people getting sick and/or dying. Pandemics cause significant absenteeism, change patterns of commerce, have limited immediate medical solutions, and interrupt supply chains. Addressing decision-making challenges in pandemic response in the transportation context is a multi-dimensional task, involving not only transportation/transit organizations, but health organizations, emergency management agencies, and communications outlets as well. This guide is designed to outline broad guidance on dealing with pandemic preparedness planning, not detailed procedures. It provides information, tools, tips, and guidance on where to find up-to-date recommendations from federal agencies and other resources, prior to and during a pandemic. Under NCHRP Project 20-59(44), Abt Associates was asked to develop a pandemic planning guide for use by all transit agencies with emphasis on (a) small urban and rural transit agencies; (b) human service transportation providers; and (c) the state DOTs that provide oversight for grant recipients in both categories. The project team undertook a multi-media, phased approach to gather information to develop the guide. First, they conducted a literature review of publications, websites, and other information posted by transportation, health, and other relevant agencies. Next, they developed and issued a survey to gather information on the extent to which pandemic planning is occurring; the level of interagency collaboration taking place for transportation pandemic planning; policies and procedures to continue transportation operations in a pandemic; and barriers to pandemic planning. The survey and initial interviews targeted relevant local, state, and regional agencies with emergency management and response responsibilities; transportation managers; state transportation agency personnel; and other entities with a role in transportation planning and response in a pandemic. The survey and interviews were aimed at not only the rural and small urban transit systems but also larger organizations to assist in identifying key issues and current practices"--Foreword.