1. Traffic Incident Management and Traveler Information
Module 5:
Traffic Incident Management and Traveler Information
Regional Operations Forum
Franklin, TN
May 21-23, 2019
Target time – 50 mins.

2. Traffic Incident Management (TIM)
TIM consists of a planned and coordinated multidisciplinary process to detect, respond to, and clear traffic incidents so that traffic flow may be restored as safely and quickly as possible.
Effective TIM reduces the duration and impacts of traffic incidents and improves the safety of motorists, crash victims, and emergency responders.
There are multiple definitions of TIM, but for consistency purposes, the one we will use here is <read definition>.
Effective TIM enhances safety and roadway operational efficiency.

3. After-Action Review/ Debrief
TIM Process
Detection
Verification
Response
Site Management
Clearance/Removal
Traffic
Management
Traveler
Information
After-Action Review/ Debrief
In the past, training has largely focused on the TIM process and each of the activities that generally make up the response.
This training remains critically important and targets the “boots on the ground” individuals or field personnel that many of you manage or supervise.
However…(see next slide)

4. National TIM Program Vision…
Through continuous and enhanced planning and training of all TIM personnel:
Reduce or eliminate responder and motorist injuries and fatalities
Promote rapid incident clearance, thereby reducing traffic congestion and vulnerability
Develop or enhance local TIM Programs that ultimately benefit corridors, regions, and states
Measure performance that demonstrates improved TIM responses and programs over time
Emphasize TIM as a system operations core mission for all responders
The pit stop analogy mostly emphasizes the importance of reducing incident time or duration, but this is only one part of what is required for TIM to be successful.
The national TIM Program Vision is broader in scope, with safety being its foundation.
Read 5 elements of National TIM Program Vision.
This training will discuss each of these 5 elements and will stress the importance of developing and sustaining TIM Programs as part of a continuous improvement process.

5. National Unified Goal for TIM
The NUG for TIM is:
Responder Safety
Safe, Quick Clearance
Prompt, Reliable, Interoperable Communications
The National Unified Goal (NUG) was purposely developed in a simple, easy-to-remember format. 5

6. Incident Timeline: What Does Safe Quick Clearance Mean?
<Ask audience> What does safe, quick clearance really mean?
<Facilitate discussion, ask for examples>
This slide presents an incident in timeline format
It begins when the incident occurs and ends when traffic flow returns to normal
Does safe, quick clearance mean cutting the incident duration in half? No, that would be nice, but every minute counts. Even saving a minute or two in each major TIM activity can make a big difference
<Discuss the following quick clearance considerations>
Reduced incident duration means reduced responder exposure to the dangers of live traffic
Sense of urgency—responders working with a sense of urgency will save time
Indecision: eliminating indecision saves time, and includes understanding roles, knowing who is in charge, and knowing who/how to call for support. Training together mitigates indecision

7. What is a TIM Program?
The goal of a TIM program is not to create a response, but rather to allow for a more effective, efficient response for all responding agencies.
Incident response in and of itself does not entail the same degree of coordination, planning, and conscious effort that is more broadly required for an effective, comprehensive TIM program.
TIM programs and associated committees and/or task forces are sustained and ongoing.
In summary, what is a TIM Program?
A TIM Program is not only those activities associated with response. It’s much more than that.
An ongoing, sustained TIM Program enables a more effective and efficient response by fostering relationships, assessing issues/needs, and facilitating communication among all responders.

8. TIM Performance Measures
Roadway Clearance Time
Time from first record of an incident by a responsible agency to all lanes being open to traffic
Incident Clearance Time
Time from first record to time last responder leaves scene
Secondary Crashes
Crashes beginning with the time of detection of the primary incident
within the incident scene or
within the queue, including the opposite direction
What they came up with was three measures that now serve as the baseline standard for consistently measuring TIM performance
These three measures are <read from slide, include descriptions>
It is recognized that enhancements are needed in the way we collect and record the data needed to support these measures, and therein lies the challenge
Efforts are under way and more are needed to refine data collection and reporting through TMC and crash reporting methods

9. An effective TIM Program makes all the difference.
It all begins with effective Leadership...

10. Region 3 Operations Traffic / Highway Incident Management

11. Overview:
Where we were
Where we are now
Where we want to go

12. Where we were (Pre-2012):
Weather Events (Snow & Ice, Flooding, Storm Events)
Slides
Sinkholes
Set Up Traffic Control for Traffic Incidents
Traffic Incident Management Urban Area
HELP Program 1999
TMC 2003
7 day coverage (urban) 2004
Rural I.T.S. expansion 2006

13. The way it used to be...

14. MM 244
STUCK TRAFFIC
Exit 245
Exit 239
Detour Traffic

15. Hundreds of motorists stuck for 12+ hours
Included a school bus full of children from Cookeville
No food, medicine, or restrooms
No well-being/welfare checks
No effort to re-direct traffic caught in closure
No effort to expedite clearing of roadway

16. NOT HAPPY...
TDOT COMMISSIONER
John Schroer

17. Wise men say...

19. Conduct investigations in expedient manner
Coordinate w/TDOT for detours & safe movement of stuck traffic
Ensure Tow Operators are trained & have appropriate equipment
Will not cause reopening delay to allow trucking company to dispatch own equipment to off load/recover cargo if creating hazard or impacting traffic.

20. Will respond and deploy resources/personnel to MAJOR incidents 24/7
Provide initial traffic control within 30 minutes during working hours or 60 minutes after hours/weekends
Deploy whatever equipment needed to reopen roadway
Continue to work with THP to ensure motorists needs are being met in most professional, safe and efficient manner.

21. Pre-established Detours
Plans are updated regularly for each Region Operation.

22. USDOT and FHWA began foundations in 2010 and instituted TIMS nationally in In 2019 there are over 400,000 trained.