Incident Management Challenges and Solutions

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Incident Management

Challenges and Solutions

Presented by the

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet

and the Kentucky Transportation Center

February 28 / March 1, 2005

Welcome and Introductions

nKentucky Transportation Cabinet

– Chuck Knowles

nKentucky Transportation Center

– Joe Crabtree

– Jennifer Walton

– Monica Barrett

Today’s Agenda

I. Welcome and Introductions

n What is an Incident Management Strategic Plan?

n The Objective of Today’s Meeting

II. Breakout Session #1:Problems and Issues

III.Lunch Break

IV. Breakout Session #2: Strategies to Address our Problems

V. Presentation and Prioritization of Potential Solutions

VI. Closing

Our Goal

To develop a strategic plan

for roadway incident

management in Kentucky

What is an Incident?

An incident is any non-recurring event that impacts the transportation system.

An incident includes: – crashes

– disabled or abandoned vehicles

– debris in the roadway

– work zones

– adverse weather

– other events and emergencies

What is Incident Management?

Incident management is a planned effort to use all

resources available to reduce the impact of incidents and improve the safety of all involved. The incident management process includes:

– Detection – Verification – Motorist Information – Response – Site Management – Traffic Management – Clearance

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What is an IM Strategic Plan?

A plan that establishes the framework for a

systematic, statewide, multi-agency effort to improve the management of roadway incidents. The plan should identify the current status, as well

as the future objectives and strategies……

– Where are we?

– Where do we want to go?

– How do we get there?

The Objective for Today

n Identify the challenges / problemsthat arise during incident management n Identify solutionsto address those

challenges / problems

Break-out Groups

n Colored name badge…

l

Blue name badge - room C407 with Joe

l

Green name badge - room C409 with Jennifer

l

Red name badge - room C410 with Monica

Potential

Solutions / Strategies

Prioritization of Solutions / Strategies

Potential solutions will be reviewed and ranked

based on their value and feasibility.

1 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 6 6 7 7 8 8 9 9 5 5 10 10 Not Very Valuable Not Very Feasible Very Valuable Very Feasible First Vote... Second Vote...

Innovative Strategies……

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Towing Incentive Programs

Dallas / Ft. Worth IM

City/State has an agreement or signed contract with wrecker services with specific requirements regarding the availability of certain types of equipment and quick response to incidents.

Freeway Service Patrols

Public Roads Nov/Dec 2004

ARTIMIS

Vehicles patrol roadways to assist stranded motorists, clear the roadway following crashes, and promote highway safety.

Equipment Storage Sites

Key locations in high incident areas where incident response equipment and materials are stored.

FHWA/TX-00/1848-1

Incident Response Teams

Interdisciplinary teams that are specially trained to handle a range of roadway emergencies, including large or severe incidents.

Quick Clearance / Vehicle Removal Laws

Laws or policies promoting the fast removal of disabled, abandoned, or damaged vehicles that may constitute a hazard to other motorists.

www.tdot.state.tn .us

Barrier Gates / Openings

Openings in freeway sections intended for emergency vehicle access. Gates are only opened when needed by emergency response personnel.

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Police Escorts for Wrong-Way Entrance

The escort of DOT and towing vehicles by police in order to help them reach an incident scene more easily and quickly.

Contra Flow Diversion

Allowing traffic to flow on the wrong side of the freeway for a limited amount of time in order to get traffic around an incident scene. S h o u ld e r S h o u ld e r S h o u ld e r S h o u ld e r Median S h o u ld e r Sh o u ld e r S h o u ld e r S h o u ld e r Median Normal Flow Contra Flow

Crash Investigation Sites

Special designated and signed areas off the roadway (and typically out of view from the roadway) where drivers of damaged vehicles can exchange information, and police can complete crash report forms.

FHWA/TX-00/1848-1

Incident Command / Command Posts

A formalized system that lends consistency to the way agencies and service providers function in an emergency; the command post should serve as the center of communications and a reporting point for incoming response personnel at an incident scene.

Traffic Incident Management Handbook Traffic Incident Management Handbook

Staging Areas

An area away from the incident for personnel and equipment.

Post-Incident Debriefings

Meetings (specifically for the responding agencies) after a major incident that are used to constructively critique the decisions made and actions taken; the intent is to determine if future responses need to be improved or if

additional resources or procedures are needed.

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Compensation of Incident Removal Costs

Statutes requiring that towing companies be compensated for the removal of vehicles or cargo as directed by the incident commander.

Exemption from Liability

Any person, if acting at the request of the incident commander, is exempt from liability

Traffic Incident Management Handbook

for any damage done to vehicles, equipment, or cargo as a result of enforcing the quick clearance law.

24-Hour Incident Response

Consistent response by DOT personnel around the clock and on weekends and holidays.

Hazardous Material Ordinance

Gives a county the authority to call in a hazardous material contractor without being obligated to pay for their services

Clean-up of Fuel Spills

Clean-up of small amounts of diesel or motor oil by responding agencies to clear the roadway more quickly.

Incident Management Task Force

A statewide interagency team that promotes effective incident management techniques to

responders around the state.

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Access to Fire Hydrants

A plan to locate fire hydrants on freeways that enable firefighters to access them more easily; this also addresses the problem of having to run water hoses across lanes of freeway and unnecessarily closing additional lanes of traffic.

FHWA/TX-00/1848-1

Local Incident Management Teams

Private and public stakeholders that meet regularly to discuss program, policy, and procedural issues.

Incident Reporting Hotline

Motorists can use their cell phone to dial a specific number to report roadway incidents.

Peak Period Motorcycle Patrols

Police officers on motorcycles patrol freeway segments.

Citizen–Band Radio Monitoring

A special frequency is established on CB radio for incident reporting.

Aircraft Patrols

Aircraft patrols during peak commute periods usually provide traffic reports to the public. Aerial surveillance can be a very valuable tool in detecting and verifying incidents.

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Fleet Operators for Incident Detection

Drivers (taxi, transit, delivery, etc.) report incidents they encounter in their day-to-day activities.

Traffic Management Centers

Traffic management centers are the central point at which information about the transportation system is collected, processed, and collated. They can also serve as the focal point for communications and

TRW coordination among multiple agencies for incident management.

Cutting-Edge Technology or

Equipment

……

Automated Incident Detection Technologies

Surveillance technologies monitor traffic and collect data, such as volumes, speeds, occupancy, and traffic density. An algorithm is used to determine if an incident has occurred.

Total Station Surveying Equipment

Infrared surveying technology used to measure distances critical to a crash investigation.

Inflatable Air Bag Systems

Used by towing companies to right overturned heavy vehicles.

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Access Control

The use of a gate to close a freeway ramp to prevent traffic from entering the freeway in the event of an incident.

Variable Message Signs

VMS (a.k.a DMS or CMS) are used to disseminate travel information on a near real-time basis.

ITS World TRW

Highway Advisory Radio

Information is

communicated to drivers via their vehicles’ AM radio receivers.

ITS World

Traffic Incident Management Handbook

Photogrammetry

The technique of making measurements from photographs or digital images;

this method can significantly reduce the amount of time required on scene for crash reconstruction.

Communications Interoperability

The ability to communicate and exchange information between agencies and responders. In many cases, communications between responding

Dallas / Ft. Worth IM agencies that work together on

a regular basis can be improved by purchasing a compatible radio systems. Equally important is a mutually agreed upon standard language or “lingo.”

Incident Video Coverage

The use of video surveillance equipment at the scene of an incident. This video can be used by emergency responders that are not on scene to determine the type of response and management that is needed. Video equipment may be installed within a vehicle or in an aircraft or some other means.

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Identification Armbands / Vests

Used on the scene of an incident to differentiate responders from members of the public or media.

Reference and Ramp Markers

Closely spaced reference markers or ramp identification signs that help

KTC motorists better identify their location on the roadway.

Push Bumpers

Equipped on emergency response vehicles so they can push vehicles out of the lanes of traffic as quickly as possible.

Automatic Cargo Identification

Technology used to identify the specific cargo contained within a commercial vehicle (particularly important with the presence of hazardous material).

Automatic Vehicle Location Equipment

Allows dispatchers to instantly determine the location of any response vehicle and send the closest vehicle to the scene.

Closed Circuit TV

CCTV allows TMC operators the ability to immediately verify incident warning measures. The operators can monitor incidents with the pan, tilt, and zoom controls.

ITS World

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Roadway Weather Information Systems

In-pavement detectors that monitor weather-related conditions (including air and pavement temperatures, relative humidity, precipitation, ice formation, and wind

speed/direction); these systems can be used to

warn motorists of dangerous roadway situations.

KTC

Plans, Agreements, or Training

……

Incident Response and Hazmat Manuals

Documentation detailing how to handle an incident situation including how to respond and who to contact.

Emergency Response Vehicle Parking

A plan for parking on the scene of an incident to ensure minimal lane closures and easy access for emergency responders.

Multi-Agency Responder Training

Interagency training for emergency response personnel on incident management. Training may include any combination of field drills; traffic operation center training; and classroom lectures, discussions, and exercises.

Emergency Vehicle Lighting Plan

A plan for using emergency lighting at the scene of an incident that minimizes the distraction to motorists while maximizing safety for responders.

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Alternate Route Plan

Some regions have

chosen to formally establish alternate routes to direct traffic around major incidents onto routes that are best suited to handle the increased traffic demand. DETOUR ROUTE CLOSED ROUTE I-75 DETOUR ROUTES Between Exit 166 - Exit 171 GRANT COUNTY KENTON COUNTY BOONE COUNTY

Public Information Campaign

A campaign designed to educate the public on incident management initiatives, like quick clearance, incident reporting hotlines, detour plans, move over provision, etc.

Open Roads Policy

An agreement developed and signed by police, fire, and transportation agencies regarding how to handle roadway closures in an effort to get the roadway opened as quickly as possible.

Coroner Agreements

An agreement with the medical examiner or coroner to expedite the removal of bodies from an incident scene in an effort to get the roadway opened more quickly.

Traffic Control Training

(for Emergency Responders)

Training emergency responders in proper

MUTCD Part 6 Millennium Edition

Buffer Space (lateral) Traffic

Space _{Work Space}

30m (100 ft) Downstream Taper

Buffer Space (longitudinal) ActivityArea Transition Area Advanced Warning Area Termination Area traffic control techniques at the scene of an incident.

Personnel Resource List

A comprehensive list of available personnel that is compiled for each area or region; this list should include radio channels and/or cell phone numbers.

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Equipment and Materials Resource List

A comprehensive list of available equipment or material that is compiled for each area or region; this list should include cell phone numbers.

Incident Management Strategic Plan

A plan that defines the goals and objectives for the future of incident management

– Where are we?

– Where do we want to go?

– How do we get there?

Closing

Information gathered today…

– Brainstorming Issues / Problems – Brainstorming Solutions – Voting Results

…available on our website www.ktc.uky.edu

next week.