MOT Training for Incident Responders in Florida Maintenance of Traffic (MOT) Training for Incident Responders in Florida MOT Examples MOT Training for Incident Responders in Florida Start of Module 7 The objective of this module is to provide incident responders with some examples on a safe parking procedure depending on the arrival time of each responders. Also, they show how to improve the setup of the Temporary Traffic Control with the help of oncoming incident responders to the scene. Sometimes, FHP carries only three cones in their vehicles, but as soon as other responders arrive, they would have more and then the TTC would be improved (for example, Road Rangers carry over 12 cones). Module 7

Disabled Vehicle on Shoulder Maintenance of Traffic (MOT) Training for Incident Responders in Florida Example #1 Disabled Vehicle on Shoulder This example presents an incident in the shoulder. Module 7

Maintenance of Traffic (MOT) Training for Incident Responders in Florida In the picture at the left, the first responder in the incident scene is the FHP. In the picture at the right, the first responder in the incident scene is a Road Ranger. Vehicles arriving at the scene always should park behind the incident area, keeping a safely separation distance between its vehicle and the scene (usually approximately 50 ft or more). After the vehicle arrives, and following the requirements of the MUTCD, within the first 15 minutes of arrival you need to start developing the TTC. A taper was used to close the shoulder to keep the work area safe. This cones tell the oncoming drivers that there's something happening in from of those cones, and if they need to make a emergency stop they need to proceed and stop after the area or they need to stop before that particular area. Module 7

Maintenance of Traffic (MOT) Training for Incident Responders in Florida After creating the taper, if available, set up an Advance Warning Sign to let oncoming drivers with more time that an incident is taking place. This sign would provide more distance to oncoming drivers to react and slow down or move if necessary (following the Move Over Act). Module 7

Out-of-Control Vehicle Crash Maintenance of Traffic (MOT) Training for Incident Responders in Florida Example #2 Fixed Object Out-of-Control Vehicle Crash No Injuries This example presents an incident in where a vehicle looses control and crash to a fixed object (no injuries). Module 7

Maintenance of Traffic (MOT) Training for Incident Responders in Florida Vehicle out-of-control crash with a fixed object. No injuries, and vehicle is on outside shoulder. Module 7

Maintenance of Traffic (MOT) Training for Incident Responders in Florida Police officer arrive at the scene make a report, see if there is any damage to public property, and wait for tow vehicle to remove damage vehicle and debris. Module 7

Maintenance of Traffic (MOT) Training for Incident Responders in Florida Tow vehicle arrive to remove damage vehicle. Module 7

Rear End on Traffic Lane (Both vehicles are movable) Maintenance of Traffic (MOT) Training for Incident Responders in Florida Example #3 Minor Accident Rear End on Traffic Lane (Both vehicles are movable) This example presents an incident that takes place in the traffic lane, but both vehicles can be move to the shoulder. Module 7

Maintenance of Traffic (MOT) Training for Incident Responders in Florida This is a crash in which the vehicle can be moved to the shoulder. The Road Ranger checks the vehicles and helps them get to the outside shoulder. Notice than the Road Ranger is using the arrow board as its warning sign to the oncoming vehicles. Module 7

Maintenance of Traffic (MOT) Training for Incident Responders in Florida The vehicles now are in the shoulder. In this stage, they call the tow truck or the insurance company and wait for the police to make the report. Module 7

Maintenance of Traffic (MOT) Training for Incident Responders in Florida The tow truck and police officer arrive to the scene. Police officer complete the crash report and the tow truck would remove the damage vehicle. Module 7

(One Lane + Shoulder Closed) Maintenance of Traffic (MOT) Training for Incident Responders in Florida Example #4 Vehicle Crash (One Lane + Shoulder Closed) This example presents an incident that takes place in the lane #1. This incident involves more than one vehicle and, for that reason, the lane plus the shoulder should be closed. The shoulder would provide a safe and secure zone to allow incident responders to work safely. Module 7

Maintenance of Traffic (MOT) Training for Incident Responders in Florida In the picture at the left, the first responder in the incident scene is the FHP. In the picture at the right, the first responder in the incident scene is a Road Ranger. Vehicles arriving at the scene always should park behind the incident area, keeping a safely separation distance between their vehicle and the scene. In this case, the distance should be longer than the previous examples (Example #1 and #2) in order to use the vehicle and the vehicle’s lights as the warning sign for the oncoming traffic. Usually this distance depends on the posted speed; for a highway with a speed of 50 mph, you need a minimum distance of 425 ft, for 60 mph – 570 ft, and for 70 mph – 730 ft (Source: Florida Design Standard for Work Zone Areas) The key point is that you, as the first arriving incident responder, need to park your vehicle at a safe distance that would provide the best alert (enough time in advance) to the oncoming traffic as they approach an incident and take precautions to maneuver safely around the incident, avoiding a secondary crashes. The MOT setup is the same as the previous examples, but it is taking place on Lane 1 and not on the shoulder. Module 7

Maintenance of Traffic (MOT) Training for Incident Responders in Florida Note how the ambulance is positioned in the downstream area of the incident. The difference between the two pictures are the placement of the fire truck. Note how in the right picture the lane taper was moved from the back of the Road Ranger to the back of the fire truck. Some times the TTC need to improved with the arrival process of each incident responders. In this part incident responders need to work in cooperation and coordination. Module 7

Maintenance of Traffic (MOT) Training for Incident Responders in Florida In this stage, the TTC area has been totally setup. After creating the taper, if available, the responder can set up an Advance Warning Sign to provide oncoming drivers with more time to realize that an incident is taking place. This sign would provide more distance to the oncoming drivers to react ,slow down, or move if necessary. Module 7

Maintenance of Traffic (MOT) Training for Incident Responders in Florida In this stage, the fire truck blocks one extra lane if necessary so the responders can safely work around the crash scene. (Extrication part) As soon as they finish, they should return to the previous stage in order minimize the effect on the traffic flow movement. If Necessary Module 7

Maintenance of Traffic (MOT) Training for Incident Responders in Florida This is the final process of clearing the vehicle from the travel lanes to restore the traffic flow. In this stage, some incident responders have left the scene but some remain with the shoulder and lane taper in place, the Road Ranger, and the FHP. Remember always that if an sign is available, it is better to use it because it would provide advance warning to the oncoming traffic and safety as well for the responders. Module 7

Two Lanes + Shoulder Closed Maintenance of Traffic (MOT) Training for Incident Responders in Florida Example #5 Two Lanes + Shoulder Closed This incident take place on a six-lane divided highway. The incident is in the Lanes #1, #2 and Outside Shoulder area. Module 7

Maintenance of Traffic (MOT) Training for Incident Responders in Florida View of the incident. Module 7

Maintenance of Traffic (MOT) Training for Incident Responders in Florida The first responders arriving at the incident are FHP and Road Rangers. In this case, because you need to close two lanes, you start placing your cones or flares (if it is safely to used) to close the two lanes and wait for other responders to come in order to improve your TTC. Module 7

Maintenance of Traffic (MOT) Training for Incident Responders in Florida In this stage, more incident responders arrive at the scene and help in the development of the TTC. Notice that now you have used tapers to close the two lanes, but at the same time provided a segment length for better transition between the two-lane closure. Module 7

Maintenance of Traffic (MOT) Training for Incident Responders in Florida In this stage, more incident responders have arrived and a better and safer TTC has taken place. Module 7

Maintenance of Traffic (MOT) Training for Incident Responders in Florida This is the final process of clearing the vehicle from the travel lanes to restore the traffic flow. In this stage, some incident responders have left the scene, but some remain with the shoulder and lane taper in place, the Road Ranger and the FHP. Remember it is always better to use a sign, if available, because it would provide advance warning to the oncoming traffic and provide safety as well for the responders. Module 7

END Question or Comments Maintenance of Traffic (MOT) Training for Incident Responders in Florida END Question or Comments End of Module 7 Module 7