Contingency Planning for Response to Urban Transportation System Disruptions

Abstract

When public transit service is interrupted, or when a fuel shortage occurs, the routine travel behavior of millions of individuals can be affected, particularly within congested metropolitan areas. When no advance preparations are made, uncoordinated government responses can combine with tremendous public confusion and uncertainty to leave the urban transportation system in a state of near paralysis. This article examines contingency planning processes used in three different situations, identifies important characteristics of a contingency planning process, and presents a model for contingency planning, emphasizing (1) the establishment of a management structure in concert with a crisis management strategy; (2) the formulation of specific plans for activities common to most crises; and (3) the development of a draft implementation plan for specific types of crises.