MIRTA LLC: A Leader in Transportation Emergency Preparedness, Resilience and Sustainability
MIRTA LLC provides national-level practical guidance on transportation preparedness and resilience, grounded in research and project experience. Key staff in italics. PI-Principal Investigator. PM- Project Manager.
Emergency Preparedness, Resilience and Sustainability Inclusive Thought Leadership
TCRP Project H-60, Lessons Learned from Covid-19: Strategies to Enhance Racial and Social Equity Through Public Transportation As A Community Lifeline. The project team is working with community partners in diverse cities to explore the transit experiences of underserved populations before engaging with local transit agency leaders to share perspectives. The team will then be developing a guide for transit agencies to support their work in providing essential community lifelines. Key staff: Deb Matherly, PI; Celeste Chavis, Morgan State, Co-PI; Keshia Pollack-Porter, Johns Hopkins University, Co-PI; Allison Reilly, WSP, PM; Charles Brown, Equitable Cities; Mansoureh Jeihani, Morgan State University; WSP staff. In process through mid-2023.
NCHRP Project 20-128, Emergency Response: Organizational and Operational Models Used by State DOTs will focus on the WHO in emergency management, and how different DOTs organize and respond effectively to deliver services. Most DOTs have very limited dedicated emergency response personnel; how to work with operational staff to pivot from everyday duties to emergency response is an ongoing challenge; this guide will identify and develop operational models as options for DOTs to consider. Key staff: Deb Matherly, PI, Patricia Bye, Co-PI, with support from Nick Amrhein, Colleen Kragen and other WSP staff as well as Jan Benini, Mark Krentz and an expert Advisory Panel. Awarded October, 2020, in process through late 2022.
NCHRP 20-116: An Emergency Management Playbook for State Transportation Agencies- Has developed a quick response Pandemic Playbook based on research and interviews with DOTs and transit agencies throughout the country; pre-publication release anticipated November, 2020. Full project will update the 2017 Emergency Response Guide and develop and pilot test training materials. Research includes surveys and interviews with DOTs; ultimate playbook and training will include capability maturity model frameworks and transportation resource typing guidance with an emphasis on actionable information. Key staff: Deb Matherly, PI, Patricia Bye and Jan Benini, Co-PIs. Support from University of Hawaii National Disaster Preparedness Training Center, William D. Ankner, and Mark Krentz. Initiated February, 2020, in process through 2022.
NCHRP Report (RR) 963/TCRP Report 225, A Pandemic Playbook for Transportation Agencies, Joint Report, Washington, DC: The NCHRP 116 pivot presented the opportunity to capture and share real-life lessons for transportation summarizing adaptations and emergency challenges responding to the pandemic. In addition to content, the project demonstrates the adaptability and flexibility of the project team (led by Ms. Matherly) to respond to novel situations with speed, creativity and quality. Key Products Delivered: The Pandemic Playbook for Transportation was pre-published in November, 2020, fully published July, 2021; distributed to NATO members and WHO; translated into Mandarin as well Spanish, Portuguese and more; a TRB webinar; webinar presentations to national and international audiences including PIARC, PANAM.
NCHRP Report 963: Transportation System Resilience: CEO Primer and Outreach– featured at the Transportation Resilience RISE summit, Denver, October, 2018. Includes extensive outreach to DOT executives via interviews, participation in regional AASHTO meetings and AASHTO CTSSR meetings. Provides succinct, actionable high-level guidance and information to DOT senior executives on resilience- why the CEO should care, and what he or she can do to embed resilience- overall and throughout the organization. Asset management, risk management, interdependencies and collaboration are foundational. Includes direct quotes from DOT CEOs for emphasis. The five-fold “Resilience in Your Pocket” brochure further synthesizes talking points and action items. Key staff: Deb Matherly, PI; Jane Mobley, technical support, Joan McDonald, Patricia Bye, Co-PIs. Published July, 2021.
FHWA (sub to Cadmus): Advancing Transportation Agency Capabilities on Incorporating Resilience and Durability in Programs and Practices. Case studies, pilots and technical support, particularly in developing case studies and strongly supporting topical webinars on riverine and coastal resilience, and on performance measures for resilience, for DOTs and MPOs. Key staff: Deb Matherly, PM; Adrienne Heller, Chris Dorney (WSP), Justin Lennon (WSP), technical support. In process through 2020.
NCHRP Report 860: Environmental Justice Analyses When Considering Toll Implementation or Rate Changes. Process framework, tools, case studies and resources to thoroughly address the issues. Larry Pesesky, PI; Deb Matherly, Deputy PM; Kerri Snyder, Adrienne Heller, technical support. 2018. http://www.trb.org/NCHRP/Blurbs/177062.aspx
NAVFAC Climate Change Planning Handbook: Installation Adaptation and Resilience Evaluation and prioritization steps with tools and examples, adopted for implementation. Carolyn Mitchell, PI, Deb Matherly, technical support. January, 2018. https://www.fedcenter.gov/_kd/Items/actions.cfm?action=Show&item_id=31041&destination=ShowItemTCRP Web-Only
Document 70: Improving the Resilience of Transit Systems Threatened by Natural Disasters. Steps, tools, case examples and database supporting resilience within the system and with regional interdependent partners. Asset management is a key entry-point for agencies; risk management is a key step and strategy. Guide, report and database, 2017, webinar March 2018. Deb Matherly, PI; Jane Mobley, Julie MacLachlan, technical support, Jon Carnegie (Rutgers/ Voorhees Executive Director, Co-PI, support from TOD Group). http://www.trb.org/Publications/Blurbs/177007.aspx
NCHRP Report 777: A Guide to Regional Transportation Planning for Disasters, Emergencies and Significant Events uses foundational planning principles, case studies, tips, and tools to explain implementation of transportation planning for possible multijurisdictional disasters, emergencies, and other major events. Deb Matherly, PI; Jane Mobley, Julie MacLachlan, technical support, plus TOD Group. 2014. http://www.trb.org/Publications/Blurbs/171087.aspx
NCHRP Report 769: A Guide for Public Transportation Pandemic Planning and Response is designed to assist transportation organizations as they prepare for pandemics and other infectious diseases such as seasonal flu. Addressing decision-making challenges in pandemic response in the transportation context is a multi-dimensional task, involving not only transportation/transit organizations, but health organizations, emergency management agencies, and communications outlets as well. Deb Matherly, technical support, contributing author. 2016. http://www.trb.org/Publications/Blurbs/170529.aspx
NCHRP Report 740, A Transportation Guide for All-Hazards Evacuation. Steps, examples and tools supporting comprehensive whole-community multi-modal evacuation planning. Deb Matherly, PI; Jane Mobley, Julie MacLachlan, technical support, Brian Wolshon and John Renne (TOD Group)- support. 2013. http://www.trb.org/Publications/Blurbs/168631.aspx
TCRP Report 150, Communication with Vulnerable Populations: A Transportation and Emergency Management Toolkit. Practical steps and tools to identify and reach non-traditional community partners and trusted messengers for resilient and inclusive communications networks. Deb Matherly, PI; Jane Mobley, Co-PI; Julie MacLachlan, technical support. 2011. http://www.trb.org/Publications/Blurbs/166060.aspx