Delivering Goods in the Face of National Emergencies

The major hurricanes of 2005, the potential for pandemic disease and terrorism-related disruptions highlight the need for trucking industry operations that can aid the public under adverse conditions.  In such situations, however, efforts to maintain supply chains may be stifled by well-meaning government officials and emergency responders.  Such administrative and governmental barriers can be overcome, however, through effective guidance, planning and coordination among traditional government/emergency response entities and the trucking industry.  With an overall goal of integrating the trucking industry into public sector-led emergency response to incidents of national significance, the first objective of this research is to outline the trucking industry activities that are necessary during and after national and regional emergencies.  The resulting guide will include a formal definition of essential and non-essential goods movement and an outline of the potential results of interrupting or preventing the movement of goods by truck.  Included under this objective is a best practices guide that will address the successes and failures of past and present national/regional emergency plans.  A second objective is to address a series of freight movement challenges that may develop during an emergency, the culmination of which is guidance for including the trucking industry under the umbrella of “first responder.”  The final objective is to outline methods that will enhance communication and coordination between public-sector oriented emergency responders and the trucking industry.  

Industry Involvement: Industry stakeholders are asked to share their experience during incidents of national significance, with particular attention paid to operations during September 11^th and Hurricane Katrina.

Click here to participate in the Delivering Goods During National Emergencies Survey