; and (ii) submit to Congress a recommendation as to whether the task forces should continue. 1407. Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-saving Transportation (PROTECT) grant program (a) In general Chapter 1 of title 23, United States Code (as amended by section 1403(a)), is amended by adding at the end the following: 179. Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-saving Transportation (PROTECT) grant program (a) Definitions In this section: (1) Emergency event The term emergency event means a natural disaster or catastrophic failure resulting in— (A) an emergency declared by the Governor of the State in which the disaster or failure occurred; or (B) an emergency or disaster declared by the President. (2) Evacuation route The term evacuation route means a transportation route or system that— (A) is owned, operated, or maintained by a Federal, State, Tribal, or local government or a private entity; (B) is used— (i) to transport the public away from emergency events; or (ii) to transport emergency responders and recovery resources; and (C) is designated by the eligible entity with jurisdiction over the area in which the route is located for the purposes described in subparagraph (B). (3) Program The term program means the grant program established under subsection (b)(1). (4) Resilience improvement The term resilience improvement means the use of materials or structural or nonstructural techniques, including natural infrastructure— (A) that allow a project— (i) to better anticipate, prepare for, and adapt to changing conditions and to withstand and respond to disruptions; and (ii) to be better able to continue to serve the primary function of the project during and after weather events and natural disasters for the expected life of the project; or (B) that— (i) reduce the magnitude and duration of impacts of current and future weather events and natural disasters to a project