Traffic Incident Management Continuing Safety Areas
CHALLENGE
The Federal Highway Administration estimates that approximately 20% of all highway crashes are secondary incidents and that 18% of these result in fatalities. Reducing the time to clear an incident— be it a crash, road debris or disabled vehicle—and improving the advance warning for incidents are the keys to minimizing secondary crashes.
DIRECTION
Commit to Traffic Incident Management (TIM) throughout Utah, and improve quick clearance and queue protection efforts. Coordinate with all first responders to ensure that quick clearance and queue protection are primary concerns.
PRIORITY STRATEGIES
ENGINEERING
- Identify strategies for clearing highway incidents.
- Create a Traffic Incident Management plan for Utah.
- Build and maintain performance measures for Incident Management and Secondary Crashes.
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES
- Participate in Traffic Incident Management Coalitions within major geographic areas of Utah that include all responders, such as: Law Enforcement, Fire, Emergency Medical, Towing, Public Works, and UDOT.
- Train responders in Traffic Incident Management using the FHWA or similar training materials.
LEADERS
- Utah Department of Transportation
- Utah Department of Public Safety: Utah Highway Patrol
- Utah Department of Health, Bureau of EMS and Preparedness