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Travel Demand Management NCDOT is a key player in planning for and managing evacuations, with the Ferry Division, Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and DOH playing important roles. DOH's responsibilities include assisting in the development of evacuation routes, erecting signing along designated routes, managing traffic flow once an evacuation has been ordered, and installing condition responsive signals--including evacuation signal timing plans at key locations. To address a shortcoming identified during Hurricane Floyd evacuation, NCDOT is adding signing to extend evacuation routes to Interstate 95. 
Managing traffic flow during the Hurricane Floyd evacuation was one of NCDOT's greatest challenges. Major congestion resulted when a myriad of residents began evacuating Wilmington at the same time. As the storm approached and traffic increased, DMV, DOH, EM and State Highway Patrol (SHP) officials began debating the need to reverse the eastbound lanes of I-40 between Raleigh and Wilmington. The reversal would have significantly increased capacity for westbound traffic; however, it also would have required extensive traffic management resources. Public safety was the priority for all parties involved in the decision-making process. As discussions continued, traffic subsided in Wilmington, as well as on Interstate 40, and the reversal was never implemented. This event as well as similar occurrences in other southern states has led NCDOT to begin work on a lane reversal plan for Interstate 40. In order for the plan to be successful, NCDOT must develop criteria to determine when lanes will be reversed. Additionally, the Department must designate who will make the decision to reverse lanes. SHP, DMV and DOH, with help from EM and local law enforcement, are working together to create this plan. If possible a "dry-run" may be undertaken to test the plan. Once developed, the public should be educated about the benefits of the reversal and provided with safety tips. |