Bloomberg Philanthropies and the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) have created an online resource hub for mayors, city officials, and transit operators to receive real-time information on the transport strategies various cities are adopting to adapt to the Coronavirus pandemic.
The resource hub provides a tool kit that includes strategies that can help cities:
- maintain transportation systems to safely move essential workers and goods;
- keep front-line workers safe, and manage and support both operational and remote office work forces;
- address immediate delivery and pick-up needs;
- relieve crowded areas to support health department guidelines for physical distancing;
- create clear messaging of city policies and guidelines;
- provide transportation to COVID-19 testing and medical care; and,
- support un-sheltered and vulnerable populations.
“Transportation systems play a key role in responding to emergencies and need to be nimble,” said Janette Sadik-Khan, NACTO chair and principal, Bloomberg Associates. “The COVID Transportation Response Center has the new rules of engagement cities need to keep people moving and support the local and national response to this unprecedented pandemic.”
The site includes city transportation action updates with information regarding direct actions taken by cities and transit agencies globally and invites departments and agencies to submit their actions.
“The Coronavirus has disrupted transportation across the nation, but it’s imperative that we keep emergency personnel and supply chains moving, residents safe and transit workers protected,” said Michael R. Bloomberg, founder of Bloomberg Philanthropies and former mayor of New York City. “As mayors and other officials work to do all of that, this new resource will help get effective strategies into the hands of transportation leaders nationwide when they need them most.”