Safer Emergency and Evacuation Routes Response Act of 2025

## Summary This bill, the *Safer Emergency and Evacuation Routes Response Act of 2025*, directs the U.S. Secretary of Transportation to create a voluntary pilot program aimed at improving how real-time wildfire hazard alerts are combined with state and local transportation closure systems. The goal is to help states automatically share critical information—like road closures, detours, and evacuation routes—with drivers during wildfires. By linking National Weather Service (NWS) alerts with existing traffic management tools, the program seeks to enhance public safety, reduce confusion, and streamline emergency responses. The pilot program will use existing federal funding for transportation research and require a two-year evaluation to assess its effectiveness. ## Key Points - Voluntary Participation: States and local agencies can choose whether to join the pilot program; involvement is not mandatory. - Interagency Collaboration: The Secretary of Transportation must work with NOAA (which oversees the National Weather Service) and the Forest Service to design the program. - Existing Systems Integration: Requires use of current data standards and formats to ensure compatibility, without forcing states to adopt uniform systems or centralized infrastructure. - State Flexibility: Participating states can adapt the integration to fit their unique traffic management systems. - Federal Evaluation: A report after two years will measure how well the program improves the speed and accuracy of wildfire-related driver alerts. ## Impact Areas - State and Local Transportation Agencies: Primary participants who would integrate wildfire alerts into their systems. - Drivers in Wildfire-Prone Regions: Would receive timely, automated updates about road closures and evacuation routes during emergencies. - Public Safety and Emergency Response: Enhanced coordination could reduce traffic delays, improve evacuation efficiency, and support first responders. - Interagency Cooperation: Strengthens collaboration between federal agencies (Transportation, NOAA, Forest Service) and local governments. - Technology Standards: Encourages adoption of existing data protocols, potentially influencing future national emergency communication frameworks. *Note: The bill does not grant federal authorities control over state or local roadway closure decisions; it focuses solely on improving information sharing.*