Power Trips: Early Understanding of Preparedness and Travel Behavior During California Public Safety Power Shutoff Events

Recent wildfire risks in California have prompted the implementation of public safety power shutoff (PSPS) events, procedures enacted by utility operators to deenergize parts electrical grid and reduce likelihood ignition. Despite their yearly occurrence, PSPS events are severely understudied, little is known about how these affect disaster preparation activity, travel behavior, transportation systems. With growing North America beyond, require immediate thorough research negative externalities maximize benefits. This exploratory study employs survey data from East Bay Hills residents Alameda Contra Costa counties who were affected two October 2019 ( n = 210). Through descriptive statistics basic discrete choice models for decision conduct typical or changed travel, this contributes literature as first assessment event behavior. We found that did not change drastically during event, although respondents conducted a high number preparedness activities. A sizable portion sample extended trips days, whereas small evacuated destination overnight. Respondents received relatively clear information multiple communication methods, indicating substantial events. Modeling results loss was driver behavior change, demographics indicated heterogeneous responses within sample. The paper concludes with discussion key takeaways suggestions nascent field.