NCHRP Report 781: A Debris Management Handbook for State and Local DOTs and Departments of Public Works provides background and advice to enable a community or agency to better prepare for and respond to disaster-related debris issues. The subjects addressed within the handbook range from development of a plan to final debris disposal and operational closure. It is organized by phase of the debris management cycle, including policy, planning, contracts, segregation, monitoring, site selection, removal, disposal, and reimbursement, as well as hazard-specific considerations. The handbook features several case studies drawing on the experience of local, state, and federal debris managers, offering real-world insight into efficient debris management operations. Much of the debris from any incident–whether a traffic incident, collapse of aging infrastructure, or major disasters such as a hurricane or tornado–falls on or is pushed onto roads. These roads must be cleared rapidly because they are part of the planned network of emergency routes to bring in first responders, as well as to provide the necessary mobility to get the injured to appropriate medical care or to shelters. In the aftermath of an incident, it is essential to restore the transportation system and other public utilities as quickly as possible. This involves clearing debris and repairing, replacing, or restoring critical transportation infrastructure. During most incidents with limited scope, local and state DOTs or public works departments are financially responsible for physically clearing debris from roads. However, during catastrophic events that create large quantities of debris, the federal government supports state and local efforts in clearing debris, including what lies in the transportation rights of way. To effectively work with federal programs, state and local DOTs need to be better prepared–in terms of training, resources, and expertise–to understand their role in debris clearance and to potentially serve as the lead for debris management. In order for states to succeed, they must equip those that do debris removal for routine incidents–often the public works departments–with the tools necessary to produce a comprehensive debris management plan that, for example, meets the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) requirements for reimbursement and federal assistance as outlined in the FEMA Catastrophic Planning Initiative and the National Response Framework. Under NCHRP Project 20-59(37), the research team from Dewberry developed a handbook with recommended practices and procedures for debris management for local, tribal, and state transportation and public works agencies. The development of this guide involved an extensive amount of research and coordination. The authors conducted detailed reviews of applicable regulations and guidelines from federal agencies involved in disaster debris operations or funding, and consulted individuals working for and with state and local DOTs and DPWs as well as associations, organizations, and firms with experience in debris planning, training, contracting, operations, and monitoring. The research team also contacted representatives from several state departments of emergency management, who provided documentation and advice on various aspects of debris operations. Creating the guide involved review and analysis of case studies. The team reviewed, verified, and summarized all of the obtained background information to provide a clear picture of issues, problems, guidance, and potential solutions. The literature review yielded over 160 debris management publications, led to the creation of a searchable database and other tools, and informed the background that served as the foundation of the handbook. The review of field experience included a survey of local, state, and federal debris staff and in-depth interviews with experienced debris managers. The knowledge gained from these practitioners formed the development of case studies highlighting real-world effective practices and lessons observed. In addition to the handbook, a methodology report and a PowerPoint presentation describing the entire project are available on the TRB website (http://www.trb.org) by searching for “NCHRP Report 781.” (Author/publisher)
Samenvatting