KLD did an extensive evacuation study for the District (Washington D.C.) Department of Transportation (DDOT) for a potential terrorist attack. Two scenarios were considered:
- Small-scale: a potential chemical explosion at the Blue Plains Wastewater Treatment Plant with an evacuation of a 2-mile radius around the plant
- Large-scale: a potential dirty bomb detonation at the Walter Reed Medical Center with an evacuation of a 2-mile radius around the facility and downwind to 10 miles
An extensive evacuation model was built for both scenarios including parts of Maryland, Virginia and Washington D.C. DYNEV was used to predict how long it would take vehicles to evacuate the impacted area under a wide range of temporal conditions (midweek versus weekend, midday versus evening, summer versus winter, etc.)
More than half of the Washington D.C. population is transit-dependent (carless). Two additional models were built to address this concern:
- A pedestrian model to determine how long it would take evacuees to walk out of the area at risk. Specific roadways in Washington D.C. were identified as pedestrian-only corridors.
- A transit model to determine how long it would take evacuees to leave the area using the DC Metro (Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority – WMATA). One scenario was considered wherein the underground Metro was contaminated and all evacuees relying on the train were evacuated via bus.
The results of this multi-year study were used by DDOT to enhance their emergency plans for all hazards, including a potential terrorist attack.
Washington DC, Evacuation Study
In 2009, KLD completed an evacuation study for the District Department of Transportation. The study estimated the evacuation time...
- APRIL 19, 2019