T3 Webinar:

9/11/2008 — Traffic Incident Management Plans in Southeast Michigan and Southeastern Wisconsin: Institutional and Technical Challenges to Managing Congestion and Improving Responder Safety

Text version of Webinar presentation:

"Wisconsin Department of Transportation Traffic Incident Management Enhancement (TIME) Program"

Description of image or images on a slide contained in brackets.

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Slide 1: Wisconsin Department of Transportation Traffic Incident Management Enhancement (TIME) Program

USDOT Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA)
Talking Technology and Transportation Webinar
September 11, 2008

Steven J. Cyra, PE, PTOE
Fellow, HNTB Corporation

Slide 2: Presentation

1. Wisconsin Traffic Incidents Defined
2. TIME Program Establishment
3. Solutions, Strategies, and Lessons Learned
4. The TIM-ETO Relationship

Slide 3: Traffic Incidents ??

• Broadly defined, an incident is something that occurs in connection with something else.
• An incident can mean different things to different people, so it’s especially important to define what is meant by a traffic incident.
• A traffic incident is defined as any non-recurring event that reduces roadway capacity or abnormally increases demand.

Slide 4: Problem — Major

[Image of traffic incident on roadway]

Slide 5: Problem — Minor

[Image of police (first responder) in action]

Slide 6: Problem — HAZMAT Spills

[Photo of beer crates scattered on roadway (aftermath of traffic incident)]

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Slide 7: HAZMAT Response

[Image of HAZMAT response (joke) – man drinking beer in the midst of beer crates scattered on roadway.]

Slide 8: Problem — Work Zones

[Image of road congestion]

Slide 9: Problem – Planned Special Events

[Image of congested roadway (congestion due to special event)]

[Image of baseball player]

Slide 10: TIME Program Establishment

[Image of ITSA trophy]

• Initiated in 1995, an ITSA Best-Of Award winning multi-agency program dedicated to coordinating TIM through relationships and technology
• Direct participation from law enforcement, fire, emergency management, towing and recovery, and transportation agencies
• In 2006, expanded from a regional to a statewide program

Slide 11: WisDOT TIME Organizational Structure / Standing Committee

[Map of Wisconsin and TIME regions]

Slide 12: Solutions, Strategies, Lessons Learned

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Slide 13: Move Over Law

[Images of Move Over public information campaign materials]

[Image of Move Over static sign]

Public Information Campaign

• Informational Brochure
• Newsletter / Magazine Articles
• Drivers Education Programs
• Stickers and Magnets
• Static Signs
• DMV Envelopes
• Posters

Slide 14: Traffic Control & Scene Management

[Image of static sign for emergency scene]

• Need to better "protect the protector"
• Goal to provide the safest possible work environment for all Wisconsin incident responders, while minimizing the risk for secondary crashes
• Guidelines established so incident responders within the State of Wisconsin have a uniform approach to emergency traffic control and scene management
• Consistent with MUTCD Chapter 6I

Slide 15: Traffic Control & Scene Management

• Incident Response Priorities
• Responder Safety
• Responder Vehicles
• Traffic Incident Management Area Establishment
• Medical Helicopter Landing Zones
• Staging
• Debriefings

Slide 16: Look Out — Because They're Not!

[Cartoon image showing a dangerous driver crashing through a traffic incident management area while trying to stare at the accident]

Slide 17: Traffic Control & Scene Management

Next Step — Training:

• Using a train-the-trainer approach
• Developed a training PowerPoint presentation to help ensure a consistent message is delivered statewide
• Developed a Quick Reference Visor Card
• Provided training at the 2008 Wisconsin State Patrol In-Service

Slide 18: TIME Procurement List

• Purpose — to provide emergency responders a 'one stop shop' for purchasing TIM equipment such as:
  • cones, barricades, rollup signs, safety vests, etc.
• By going though the WisDOT procurement process the items available through the contract will typically be at a reduced rate
• Orders can be placed by any public agency on an as needed basis

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Slide 19: Freeway Service Teams

• Services currently provided in:
  • Dane Co
  • Kenosha Co
  • Milwaukee Co
  • Racine Co
  • Wausau Co
• Recently awarded a contract to Samaritania for statewide service
• Valuable mitigation tool for construction projects, special events, and winter weather

Slide 20: Traffic Response Unit (TRU) Vehicle

[Image of Traffic Response Unit (TRU) vehicle]

Slide 21: Emergency Alternate Route Planning

[Images of emergency alternate route plans for the Interstate]

Slide 22: Emergency Alternate Route Planning

[Map of regions of the state, with emergency alternate routes identified.]

Statewide Consistency

• Guidelines for emergency alternate route identification
• Procedures for implementing emergency alternate routes
• Standard template for emergency alternate route guides

Slide 23: Emergency Alternate Route Planning

• Valuable tool during major incidents and complete freeway closures
• STRAHNET routes

Slide 24: Traffic Incident Management and Emergency Transportation Operations

"Preparedness for crisis is a byproduct of collaboration & cooperation in the routine."

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Slide 25: WisDOT ETO — Evacuation Planning

• Late 2005 Gov. Doyle request review of State's Emergency Preparedness Plans
  • Need to develop/enhance evacuation plans for 12 largest cities in WI
• WisDOT role in evacuation clarified, ETO-EVAC task force formed
• TIME Program relationships leveraged to participate in Milwaukee UASI evacuation planning — enables "seat at the table"

Slide 26: WisDOT ETO — Evacuation Planning

[At-a-glance image of Milwaukee Evacuation Ramp Closure Plan]

• TIME Program provided a "leg up" in performing evacuation planning in the Milwaukee region
• Products:
  • Evac Planning Process
  • ConOps
  • Mapping
  • Resource Inventories
  • Ramp Closure Procedures
  • STOC Op Guidelines
• Similar efforts in other 11 cities initiated

Slide 27: WisDOT ETO — Winter Weather Communications and Coordination Plan

• Purpose
  • Ensure accurate, consistent, timely communication between WisDOT and counties
  • Provide emergency communication protocols
  • Eliminate/minimize confusion about road status and provide WisDOT OPA up-to-date information
  • Allow WisDOT to assist in identifying the resources needed by counties
• In-place for winter 2007-2008

Slide 28: WisDOT ETO Plan Development

• ETO Program
  • What WisDOT must do to be able to respond
  • Address Plan maintenance and sustainability
• ETO Response
  • How WisDOT responds to emergencies
  • Guidelines and procedures for action

Slide 29: WisDOT ETO Plan Framework

[Diagram of WisDOT ETO Plan Framework: Emergency Transportation Operations (ETO) leads to ETO Program and ETO Response.]

Slide 30: Thank You ! !

Steven J. Cyra, PE, PTOE
HNTB Corporation
scyra@hntb.com
(414) 359-2300

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