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WSP/WSDOT Partnership -
Traffic Incident Management is a key component in the Joint Operations Policy Statement (JOPS) (.pdf, 806kb) agreement between WSDOT and the Washington State Patrol. WSDOT and WSP have established a mutual goal of safely clearing highway traffic incidents within 90 minutes. Achieving this goal requires additional partnerships with local fire and EMS services, the tow industry, the media, the insurance industry, and drivers. The purpose of establishing quick-clearance goals is to enhance motorist and responder safety and minimize congestion.
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Washington Traffic Incident Management Coalition (WATIMCo) -
WSDOT, WSP, Fire, Towing, and other incident responder representatives and stakeholders are partners in the new Washington Traffic Incident Management Coalition (WaTIMCo) which will oversee implementation of the National Unified Goal (NUG – see below). The first formal coalition meeting was held in September 2007 in conjunction with the first statewide Traffic Incident Management Conference in Seattle. The coalition endorsed the NUG at this meeting, elected officers, and adopted operating guidelines. The coalition will act as our statewide policy advisory group to oversee our state's NUG implementation.
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Statewide Traffic Incident Management Conference -
WSDOT and WSP sponsored the first statewide traffic incident management conference in September 2007. The 2009 conference is scheduled for September 10th at the AAA Building in Renton.
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The National Unified Goal for Traffic Incident Management
The National Traffic Incident Management Coalition launched the National Unified Goal (NUG) for Traffic Incident Management to reduce traffic congestion and increase responder safety. The NUG for Traffic Incident Management is Responder and Motorist Safety; Safe, Quick Clearance; and Prompt Reliable Interoperable Communications.
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Responder and Motorist Safety
Responder and motorist safety is our top priority. That means that we are not successful unless everyone goes home at the end of the day. It is important to note that this emphasis on responder safety also improves motorist safety. Giving motorist advance notice of lane closures ahead and setting up Traffic Incident Management Areas enhance both responder safety and motorist safety.
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Safe, Quick Clearance -
Whether a blocking disabled vehicle, or a serious blocking collision, the sooner an incident response technician arrives on scene and deploys emergency traffic control measures to warn oncoming motorists, the safer those involoved in the incident, the responders, and motorists approaching the scene. If a blocking incident is expected to extend beyond sixty minutes, WSDOT maintenance resources are called to set up a MUTCD compliant Work Zone to provide oncoming motorists ample notification of a lane blockage or closure ahead. Clearing incidents quickly also enhances responder and motorist safety by reducing their exposure time to the hazards that incidents present.