Contingency Planning and War Gaming for the Transport Operations of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games

Abstract

Transport operations constitute a critical prerequisite for the successful staging of a special event. Operations are more challenging to manage for those events that are infrequent and last for several days. In this case, the requirements for unconditional success, coupled with the uncertainties involved, necessitate robust contingency planning. The paper presents a methodological process for developing the transport‐related contingency plans to address pre‐identified emergencies in major events, such as the Olympic Games. War games are proposed to test the resulting contingency plans and train the staff involved in plan implementation. The application of the methodological process to the Athens 2004 Olympic Games is presented in which transport services were offered to over 50 000 members of the Olympic Family, 150 000 staff and volunteers, and 3.8 million spectators over a period of more than two weeks.

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge the following colleagues and co‐workers for their support, contribution, and ideas that made this work possible: Mr Panos Protopsaltis, General Manager of the Athens 2004 Transport Division, members of the Transport Division, as well as all members of the Planning—Booz|Allen|Hamilton consulting team that contributed to the success of the Athens Olympic Transport operations.

Notes

1. Including personnel cost but excluding all investment cost.