III. Deployment of Transport Capacities for Quake-Relief Rescuers and Materials

After the quake, MOT promptly set up the Commanding Team for Emergency Transport for safeguarding the express transport of quake-relief materials. The transport authorities in Qinhai organized and deployed transport capacity for the transport of the wounded and the quake-relief materials. Up to 0800 am of 16th, the transport sectors had put in place 129 buses and 119 trucks, and transported 4894 person-times of rescuers and wounded people, and 2170 tons of relief materials such as equipment and tents. To ensure the rapid flow of relief materials, Green Corridors for quake relief and rescue were opened in Qinhai, Gansu, Sichuan, etc. Exclusive lanes for quake relief and rescue were set up at toll gates by the transport authorities of Qinhai. All vehicles carrying rescuers, wounded peoples and relief materials could use those lanes freely and swiftly, and by 0800 am of 16th, more than 6200 vehicles for quake relief had passed.

In addition, the transport authorities of Qinhai Province also had 160 buses and 230 trucks reserved for emergency transport, which stood-by 24 hours for any urgent missions in need. MOT also coordinated with the neighboring provinces, such as Gansu, Ningxia, Shaanxi and Sichuan, to reserve 300 trucks and buses for emergency transport. In general, the transport in the quake-hit areas is in order, and the transport capacities are adequate for quake relief operations.

IV. Current Difficulties

Firstly, due to the limited road capacities to the quake-hit areas, the landslides and damaged bridges and culverts, and potential dangers caused by the aftershocks, it is not possible for large machinery and equipment to be transported to the quake-hit areas timely. The rescuers have to move forward whiling clearing the mass.

Secondly, Qinghai is in the wind season and the weather offsets the efficiency of the transport of personnel and relief materials

Thirdly, there might be more snowfalls in Yushu, which will also influence the transfer of the wounded and the transport of relief materials.

Fourthly, the insufficiency of road maintenance equipment and the sharp increase in traffic flow have brought about serious pressures to maintaining the traffics.