Public and multimodal transportation can play a critical role in emergency evacuations. TRB hosted a webinar on Monday, August 4, 2025 from 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM Eastern that explored how transit systems can support mass evacuations, reduce congestion, aid carless residents and visitors, and preserve emergency response capacity. Presenters shared insights from wildfire evacuations, including the 2021 Caldor Fire and the 2025 Southern California wildfires, and examined research findings, case studies, and planning principles. Attendees learned about coordination strategies, infrastructure considerations such as mobility hubs, and best practices for better integrating transit into emergency response efforts.
The slides are available.
 
Webinar agenda and presenters

• LA Metro’s response to the 2025 wildfires as well as plans in the future – Aqib Kenoly, LA Metro
• Transit agencies and wildfire evacuation: Case study of the 2021 Caldor Fire – Tara Goddard, Texas A&M University
• Adapting mobility hubs for better emergency response: Elements from the Mobility Hub Implementation Playbook – Krute Singa, Metropolitan Transportation Commission
• Question and answer session moderated by Ian Barnes, Fehr & Peers

The first 60 minutes of the webinar were for presentations and the final 30 minutes were reserved for audience questions.
 
Learning Objectives
At the end of this webinar, participants can:

• Describe the effectiveness of public transportation in wildfire evacuations and disaster responses using recent real-world examples
• Identify gaps in current implementation plans and explain how initiatives such as mobility hubs can be adapted to enhance regional resilience
• Apply actionable strategies for improving disaster response efforts based on shared expertise and case studies

 
Professional Development Hours
This webinar was delivered as a scheduled – e-learning live event and is categorized within RCEP as Technical, Health and Safety.
Professional Development Hours (PDHs) earned on completion of this program were reported to the Registered Continuing Education Program (RCEP). Certificates of Completion are issued to all participants via the RCEP.net online system. Complaints about registered providers may be addressed to RCEP, 1015 15th Street, NW, 8th Fl., Washington, DC, 20005.
American Institute of Certified Planners Certification Maintenance Credits
This webinar was approved by the American Planning Association (APA) for 1.5 Certification Maintenance (CM) Credits. CM credits provide continuing education opportunities for AICP Certified Planners to continue their professional skills and knowledge. To receive CM credits, Certified Planners should visit the TRB event webpage on American Planning Association and register their participation. If you have problems reporting your CM credits or have general questions about the CM program, please contact the APA.