Empirical Investigation of Post-Disaster Travel Behavior to Points of Distribution of Relief Supplies

This project aims to understand the travel behavior of disaster-affected populations when seeking relief supplies in the aftermath of a natural disaster. Relief supply-seeking travel behavior and related decisions influence the demand for relief supplies at the points of distribution set up during the emergency response stage. Therefore, understanding these behaviors can significantly impact the success and efficiency of disaster relief operations and the adequate and equitable distribution of relief supplies. Previous research on travel behavior in the context of disasters has mainly focused on evacuation and migration, which typically occur during the emergency stages of preparedness and recovery. However, there is a significant knowledge gap regarding travel behavior and human decisions made during the response stage, i.e., those related to post-disaster aid-seeking behaviors, including traveling and searching for disaster relief supplies. This project is an exploratory and empirical investigation of the choices, attitudes, and perceptions of disaster-affected populations when traveling to and from points of distribution of disaster relief supplies. The aim is to understand relief supply-seeking travel behavior, focusing on destination, mode, and route choices. A mixed-method approach will be used comprising a quantitative component, leveraging surveys, and a qualitative component, with focus groups. Furthermore, the project will evaluate the effects of socioeconomic characteristics, urbanistic levels, and multimodal transportation infrastructure on relief supply-seeking travel behaviors, providing insights into vulnerability, accessibility, and equity-related implications. The project will be the first step in explaining relief supply-seeking travel behaviors in the aftermath of disasters and developing a family of people-centric models for effective and equitable disaster relief distribution.

• Record URL:
  • https://tbd.ctr.utexas.edu/research-product/empirical-investigation-of-post-disaster-travel-behavior-to-points-of-distribution-of-relief-supplies/

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $172,013.00
• Contract Numbers:

  69A3552344815

  69A3552348320

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

  University Transportation Centers Program
  Department of Transportation
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Managing Organizations:

  Center for Understanding Future of Travel Behavior and Demand

  University of Texas
  Austin, TX  United States 
• Project Managers:

  Bhat, Chandra

• Performing Organizations:

  Georgia Tech University, Atlanta

  Atlanta, GA  United States 
• Principal Investigators:

  Perez-Guzman, Sofia

• Start Date: 20240601
• Expected Completion Date: 20250531
• Actual Completion Date: 0
• USDOT Program: University Transportation Centers Program

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Decision making; Disaster relief; Disasters; Mobility; Mode choice; Route choice; Travel behavior
• Subject Areas: Planning and Forecasting; Security and Emergencies; Society; Transportation (General);

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01955080
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Center for Understanding Future of Travel Behavior and Demand
• Contract Numbers: 69A3552344815, 69A3552348320
• Files: UTC, RIP
• Created Date: May 15 2025 2:27PM