When Disaster Strikes: Coping With the Day After Tomorrow

This article presents an investigation into the manner in which the transportation sector might handle a weapons of mass destruction (WMD)-type attack by terrorists or, similarly, an unpredictable severe natural disaster. Upon explaining a number of problems with the sensitivity of even fault-tolerant networks, the article gives a summary explanation as to how Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) sensors might be maintained in such events. If ITS can be maintained, then it would be possible to responsively evacuate individuals affected in real-time. One component of the infrastructure that might be set in place to aid in such evacuations would be a public messaging system to inform the public as to the most efficient means of transportation. Emergency supplies would also correspondingly be readily transportable to those who cannot be safely evacuated. To allow for such evacuations, societies must build more disaster-protected traffic management centers (TMC).