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| System Operations |
Traffic Incident Management
 | Traffic Incident Management Points-of-Contact |
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 | Traffic Incident Management Section of the FHWA Office of Operations Website |
| This website is a compilation of resources related to traffic incident management. This website contains press releases, resource documents, and a schedule of upcoming meetings of groups that focus on traffic incident management, such as the Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Incident Management Working Group. Cost: Free To Access This Resource: Access the website address http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/incidentmgmt/index.htm. | |
| Planned Special Events Traffic Management Section of the FHWA Office of Operations Website |
| This website is a compilation of resources related to traffic management for planned special events. The website explains what planned special events are – including sporting events, concerts, festivals, conventions and political protests – and why managing traffic before, during and after them is so important. The website contains key documents including the Managing Travel for Planned Special Events handbook and announcements of important upcoming events such as the biennial National Conference on Managing Travel for Planned Special Events. Cost: Free To Access This Resource: Access the website address http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/program_areas/sp-evnts-mgmt.htm. | |
| National Traffic Incident Management Coalition (NTIMC) Website |
| This website is the official website for the National Traffic Incident Management Coalition (NTIMC), a forum where major stakeholders involved in traffic incident management (TIM) work together to advance best practices. The website contains the NTIMC newsletter, a calendar of upcoming events, a membership roster, and other resources. On March 1, 2007, the NTIMC released its proposed National Unified Goal (NUG) for Traffic Incident Management. The website has the full text of the NUG, a NUG fact sheet, a presentation with accompanying text that describes the NUG, and other materials. Cost: To Access This Resource: Access the website address http://www.timcoalition.org. | |
| Managing Travel for Planned Special Events Section of the TMC Pooled-Fund Study Website |
| This website is a compilation of resources related to traffic management for planned special events assembled as part of the Traffic Management Center (TMC) Pooled-Fund Study. The TMC Pooled-Fund Study is a joint effort by FHWA and several state departments of transportation to advance both state-of-the-art and state-of-the-practice of several aspects of transportation operations. The website contains links to key documents, including the Managing Travel for Planned Special Events series of documents and the NCHRP Synthesis report Transportation Planning and Management for Special Events, as well as example planned special event traffic management documents from several states and local agencies. Cost: Free To Access This Resource: Access the website address http://tmcpfs.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/cfprojects/new_detail.cfm?id=59&new=2. | |
 | Planned Special Events: Checklists for Practitioners |
| This tool is a series of six checklists that outline the steps for managing traffic before, during and after planned special events. The steps outlined in these checklists are based on Chapters 4 through 10 of the handbook Managing Travel for Planned Special Events. Each step incorporates several assessments designed to address the effects that planned special events may have on traffic, parking, pedestrian access, and transit operations. The assessments include consideration of such factors as travel demand, road capacity, site capacity, event operation, and available resources. Cost: Free To Access This Resource: Access the website address http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/psechecklists/index.htm. | |
 | Intelligent Transportation Systems for Traffic Incident Management: Deployment Benefits and Lessons Learned (FHWA-JPO-07-001) (2007) |
| This leaflet is one in a series that shows how ITS technologies can reduce congestion, in support of the U.S. Department of Transportation's Congestion Initiative. This leaflet summarizes the benefits, costs, extent of deployment and lessons learned about the use of ITS for traffic incident management. The online version contains a full list of sources, so that all information in the leaflet's brief four pages is backed up with supporting documentation. Cost: Free To Access This Resource: To order a hardcopy, contact the Operations/ITS HelpLine, (866) 367-7487 or itspubs@dot.gov. For the online version, access the following website addresses:
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| Coordinated Freeway and Arterial Operations Handbook (FHWA-HRT-06-095) (2006) |
| This handbook provides direction, guidance and recommendations on how to coordinate freeway and arterial operations in a proactive and comprehensive manner. The handbook defines coordinated freeway and arterial operations (CFA) and discusses how to apply CFA to four areas of high pay-off: traffic incident management, work zone management, planned special events management, and day-to-day (or recurring) operations. The handbook concludes with a discussion of new technologies such as ITS and an example of CFA in an incident management program in Northern Virginia. Development of this handbook was sponsored by the Transportation Management Center Pooled-Fund Study (TMC PFS). Cost: Free To Access This Resource: Access the website address http://tmcpfs.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/cfprojects/uploaded_files/06095.pdf. | |
| Simplified Guide to the Incident Command System for Transportation Professionals (FHWA-HOP-06-004/FHWA-NHI-06-007) (2006) |
| This guide provides an introduction to the Incident Command System, a systematic tool used for the command, control, and coordination of emergency response. ICS allows agencies to work together using common terminology and operating procedures for controlling personnel, facilities, equipment, and communications at a single incident scene. ICS is part of a broader incident management system as outlined in the Department of Homeland Security's National Incident Management System (NIMS). Topics covered in the guide include ICS organizational structure, characteristics of unified command, strategies and tools that support the development of an ICS framework for day-to-day highway incident management, considerations for the on-scene management of highway incidents, and the benefits of ICS. The guide also summarizes NIMS requirements for resource management, communications, and information management. Cost: Free To Access This Resource: Access the following website addresses:
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| Managing Travel for Planned Special Events: First National Conference Proceedings (FHWA-OP-05-017) (2005) |
| This document provides a summary of the first national conference on planned special events, held December 1-3, 2004 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The proceedings summarize the presentations from both the plenary and breakout sessions. The breakout sessions were organized into eight tracks: regional planning and coordination, event-specific operations planning, traffic management and security plans for stadiums and arenas, ITS support and applications, traffic management plans, transit and travel demand management, security and contingency planning, and traffic management team day-of-event activities. Cost: Free To Access This Resource: Access the website address http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/program_areas/conf1204/index.htm. | |
| IMS Model Procedures Guide for Highway Incidents (Item# 36612) (2004) |
| Developed by the National Fire Service (NFS) Incident Management Service Consortium, this model procedures guide applies the more general principles of incident management systems (IMS) to highway traffic incidents. The IMS principles were developed by the NFS to deal with a wide range of incidents, including structure fires or collapses, emergency medical services incidents, wildland fires, and hazardous material spills. The purpose of the guide is to help the types of organizations involved in highway incidents – including law enforcement, fire and rescue, emergency medical services, hazardous material response, traffic management, repair and maintenance, utilities, towing and recovery, public works, and motorist assistance – work together in a well-coordinated and unified fashion. This model procedures guide can serve as the initial design document from which organizations in a given region may build joint operating procedures. The document emphasizes using IMS principles for all types of highway incidents, from small routine incidents to large complicated unexpected disasters. Cost: $25 To Access This Resource: To order a hardcopy, contact the International Fire Service Training Association's (IFSTA's) Fire Protection Publications division, part of Okalahoma State University, (800) 654-4055, http://www.ifsta.org. | |
| Incident Management (IM) ITS Standards Advisory (2004) |
| This flier is one of a series of documents that provide state and local transportation agencies with background and guidance on development issues and other key activities related to ITS standards. This flier describes the family of standards developed by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) that facilitates incident management. The IEEE 1512 family allows traffic management systems and public safety management systems to exchange incident-related information immediately for real-time command and control of resources. The flier profiles each of the four standards in the family (the base standard and standards for traffic incident management, public safety, and hazardous materials), and provides an update on their standards development status. The flier contains case studies on the use of IEEE 1512 standards in New York, Washington, D.C., Utah, and Washington State; and a list of available resources for technical assistance. Cost: Free To Access This Resource: Access the following website addresses:
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| Watching It All Come Together: Case Studies Report on Special Event Planning and Management (FHWA-HOP-04-029) (2004) |
| This report profiles seven examples of traffic management for planned special events: Texas State Fair in Dallas, Texas; 2000 Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles, California; severe weather in Monroe County, New York; New Year's Eve in Times Square in New York City, New York; After the Independence Day fireworks in Northern Virginia; sporting events at Bank One Ballpark in Phoenix, Arizona; and sporting events at Compaq Center in San Jose, California. The report highlights helpful strategies used by the agencies to get transportation, law enforcement, emergency management, and other stakeholders to work together effectively. Cost: Free for members if ordered through the Public Technology Institute (PTI); $15 for non-members; free if ordered through FHWA. To Access This Resource:
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| Managing Travel for Planned Special Events (2003) |
| This series of documents presents a wide range of information on planning for and managing transportation for planned special events. A handbook presents a recommended set of policies, regulations, processes, impact mitigation strategies, equipment and personnel resources and technology applications used in planned special events traffic management. A frequently asked questions (FAQ) sheet summarizes the information in the handbook into a list of 33 questions with answers. A two-page fact sheet encapsulates the essential information even further and lists available resources including training opportunities. A presentation guides readers through the special events traffic management planning process. Finally, a tri-fold brochure contains an overview of planned special events traffic management, as well as quotes from transportation operators who have used these techniques with success. Development of these materials was sponsored by the Transportation Management Center Pooled-Fund Study (TMC PFS). Cost: Free To Access This Resource: Access the following website addresses:
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| Quick Clearance and "Move It" Best Practices: Executive Summary (2003) |
| This document summarizes the findings of a survey, conducted by the I-95 Corridor Coalition's Coordinated Incident Management program track, of quick clearance policies and procedures among its member states and organizations. The report covers both the clearance of major incidents as well as minor crashes and stalled vehicles. This study builds upon the NCHRP Synthesis# 318 Safe and Quick Clearance of Traffic Incidents. Other documents related to the I-95 Corridor Coalition's Quick Clearance and "Move It" Best Practices project can be found at http://66.167.232.132/pm/ViewProject.asp?pid=128. Cost: Free To Access This Resource: Access the website address http://66.167.232.132/pm/projectmanagement/Upfiles/reports/summary325.pdf. | |
| Safe and Quick Clearance of Traffic Incidents (NCHRP Synthesis# 318) (2003) |
| This report documents the findings of a survey among all 50 states of laws, policies, and procedures that have been used successfully to facilitate the clearance of highway traffic incidents, primarily those blocking travel lanes and attended to by the vehicle operator. The report discusses quick clearance legislation ("Move-It" and "Steer It, Clear It" laws), hold harmless laws, and policies governing the removal of accident victims. Also discussed are the duties of private tow truck drivers, policies governing the rapid clearance of semi-tractor trailers, appropriate actions to take when there is an accompanying fuel spill, and technologies to provide uninterrupted information flow between agencies participating in incident clearance. Cost: $19 for the hardcopy version; the online version is free. To Access This Resource: To order the hardcopy version, contact the Transportation Research Board (TRB) Bookstore at http://www.trb.org/bookstore and search for "SYH318," (202) 334-3213, fax: (202) 334-2519. For the online version, access the website address http://gulliver.trb.org/publications/nchrp/nchrp_syn_318.pdf. | |
| Traffic Incident Management Tow Operators Workplan (TIMTOW) Guide (2003) |
| Developed by the Towing & Recovery Association of America (TRAA) with a grant from FHWA, this guide presents a framework for traffic incident management (TIM), outlining five main issues in TIM site operations: responder safety, secondary crash prevention, traffic control, site management, and quick clearance. Interest by the towing industry in participation as full professional partners in TIM activities has grown considerably in recent years, and one of the purposes of the guide is to show tow operators how they can become more involved. The guide presents an example of successful teamwork among the many actors that can be involved in TIM, as well as establishes a standard of care and level of competency for TIM tow operations. Cost: Free To Access This Resource: To order a hardcopy, contact David Helman, FHWA Office of Transportation Operations, (202) 366-8042, David.Helman@dot.gov. | |
| Transportation Planning and Management for Special Events (NCHRP Synthesis# 309) (2003) |
| This report presents the state-of-the-practice in planning and managing transportation during special events. The report addresses how agencies plan for special events, coordinate services, and manage the overall transportation system. The report will be of interest to any organization with a stake in special event planning, including transportation agencies, law enforcement, fire departments, media, event organizers, political organizations, and the military. Appendices present special event traffic operations plans from Florida, Maryland and New Hampshire. Cost: $16 for the hardcopy version; the online version is free. To Access This Resource: To order the hardcopy report, contact the Transportation Research Board (TRB) Bookstore at http://www.trb.org/bookstore and search for "SYH309," (202) 334-3213, Fax: (202) 334-2519. For the online version, access the following website addresses:.
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| Regional Traffic Incident Management Programs: Implementation Guide (FHWA-OP-01-002/FTA-TRI-11-00-03) (2001) |
| This report is one in a series designed to provide public sector project managers with practical "how to" advice on the implementation of selected ITS technologies. This report presents a framework for developing what is missing in almost every urban area in the U.S. – a formal, multi-agency traffic incident management program with endorsement by, participation from, and coordination by senior agency management, and which includes all the participating agencies. The report discusses each of the steps needed to formalize the incident management effort. The intended audience for this report is project-level managers from organizations typically involved in traffic incident management, such as transportation agencies, law enforcement agencies, fire and rescue agencies, hazardous material (HazMat) cleanup services, towing and recovery companies, and public and private traveler information providers. Cost: Free To Access This Resource: Access the website address http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/jpodocs/redirect/repts_te/13149.pdf, EDL# 13149. To order a hardcopy, contact the Operations/ITS HelpLine, (866) 367-7487 or itspubs@dot.gov. | |
| Incident Management Successful Practices: A Cross-Cutting Study (FHWA-JPO-99-018/FTA-TRI-11-99-09) (2000) |
| This report, one in a series designed to educate public sector managers about particular ITS technologies, examines how several locations across the country are using ITS technology to overcome agency and jurisdictional barriers to implement effective traffic incident management programs. The report walks through each stage of the traffic incident management timeline (detection, verification, response, site management, traffic management, clearance, and recovery), showing the different choices made by each location profiled. Cost: Free To Access This Resource: Access the website address http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/jpodocs/redirect/repts_te/11484.pdf, EDL# 11484. To order a hardcopy, contact the Operations/ ITS HelpLine, (866) 367-7487 or itspubs@dot.gov. | |
| Traffic Incident Management Handbook (2000) |
| This handbook is an update of the Freeway Incident Management Handbook published in 1991. The handbook provides details on key elements of successful traffic incident management programs, as well as field operations. The handbook includes new and advanced traffic incident management topics. It focuses on the safety benefits achievable through effective traffic incident management, as experienced by crash victims, the motoring public, and response agency field personnel. Cost: Free To Access This Resource: Access the website address http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/jpodocs/redirect/rept_mis/13286.pdf, EDL# 13286. To order a hardcopy, contact David Helman, FHWA Office of Transportation Operations, (202) 366-8042, David.Helman@dot.gov. | |
| What Have We Learned about Intelligent Transportation Systems? Chapter 2: What Have We Learned about Freeway, Incident, and Emergency Management and Electronic Toll Collection? (2000) |
| This document is an excerpt from a compendium report that looks back on the 10 years of the National ITS Program to examine which ITS technology applications have been successful, which have not been successful, and what are the underlying factors that determine success versus failure. This section examines freeway, incident, and emergency management and electronic toll collection systems. Cost: Free To Access This Resource: Access the website address http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/jpodocs/redirect/repts_te/13318.pdf, EDL# 13318. | |
| Faster Response Time, Effective Use of Resources – Integrating Transportation and Emergency Management Systems (FHWA-JPO-99-004) (1999) |
| This brochure, one in a series designed to encourage decision-makers to invest their own budget resources in ITS, examines the safety and efficiency benefits of integrating traffic incident management (typically led by transportation departments) with emergency response (typically run by law enforcement). The brochure quotes leaders in transportation and law enforcement about the benefits they have experienced from co-locating critical functions, sharing communications media, and automating notification to responding agencies. Cost: Free To Access This Resource: Access the website address http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/jpodocs/redirect/brochure/6874.pdf, EDL# 6874. To order a hardcopy, contact the Operations/ITS HelpLine, (866) 367-7487 or itspubs@dot.gov. | |
| Improving Mobility, Saving Lives – Safety Service Patrols (FHWA-JPO-99-005) (1999) |
| This brochure, one in a series designed to encourage decision-makers to invest their own budget resources in ITS, examines the mobility and safety benefits of safety service patrols. Operated typically by state departments of transportation, these fleets of trucks assist stranded motorists and help manage the flow of traffic during incidents. The brochure quotes chiefs of transportation from around the country about benefits they have experienced from implementing safety service patrol programs. The brochure also contains excerpts from letters from motorists praising the patrols for the assistance they provided. Cost: Free To Access This Resource: Access the website address http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/jpodocs/redirect/brochure/6872.pdf, EDL# 6872. To order a hardcopy, contact the Operations/ITS HelpLine, (866) 367-7487 or itspubs@dot.gov. | |
| Safer Travel, Improved Economic Productivity – Incident Management Systems (FHWA-JPO-99-006) (1999) |
| This brochure, one in a series designed to encourage decision-makers to invest their own budget resources in ITS, examines the safety and economic benefits of traffic incident management from the perspective of a state department of transportation commissioner. The brochure quotes transportation officials from around the country about the benefits they have experienced from participating in regional traffic incident management programs. Cost: Free To Access This Resource: Access the website address http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/jpodocs/redirect/brochure/6868.pdf, EDL# 6868. To order a hardcopy, contact the Operations/ITS HelpLine, (866) 367-7487 or itspubs@dot.gov. | |
| Sharing Resources, Coordinating Response – Deploying and Operating Incident Management Systems (FHWA-JPO-99-007) (1999) |
| This brochure, one in a series designed to encourage decision-makers to invest their own budget resources in ITS, examines the benefits of traffic incident management from a public safety perspective. The brochure quotes public safety officials from around the country about the benefits they have experienced from participating in traffic incident management programs. Cost: Free To Access This Resource: Access the website address http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/jpodocs/redirect/brochure/6869.pdf, EDL# 6869. To order a hardcopy, contact the Operations/ITS HelpLine, (866) 367-7487 or itspubs@dot.gov. | |
| Intelligent Transportation Systems Field Operational Test Cross-Cutting Study: Hazardous Material Incident Response (FHWA-JPO-99-035) (1998) |
| This report summarizes and interprets the results of three field operational tests (FOTs) that tested the use of new technologies for improving the accuracy and availability of hazardous material (HazMat) information provided to emergency response personnel. Topics covered include impacts, user response, technical lessons learned, institutional challenges and resolutions, and implementation costs. Cost: Free To Access This Resource: Access the website address http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/jpodocs/redirect/repts_te/6327.pdf, EDL# 6327. To order a hardcopy, contact the Operations/ ITS HelpLine, (866) 367-7487 or itspubs@dot.gov. | |
| Intelligent Transportation Systems Field Operational Test Cross-Cutting Study: Incident Management: Detection, Verification, and Traffic Management (FHWA-JPO-99-034) (1998) |
| This report summarizes and interprets the results of several field operational tests (FOTs) that tested the use of new technologies for improving traffic incident management. Topics covered include impacts, user response, technical lessons learned, institutional challenges and resolutions, and implementation costs. Cost: Free To Access This Resource: Access the website address http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/jpodocs/redirect/repts_te/6328.pdf, EDL# 6328. To order a hardcopy, contact the Operations/ITS HelpLine, (866) 367-7487 or itspubs@dot.gov. | |
 | Managing Traffic Incident and Roadway Emergencies (NHI Course# 133048 or 133048A) |
| This course addresses the concepts and techniques of traffic incident management. The course focuses on the safety and operational efficiency of responding agencies and the institutional and administrative barriers that hinder interagency cooperation. Course modules cover the main groupings of topics: on-scene traffic incident management operations, multi-agency communications, and program management. Skill Level: Core learning. Target Audience: This course is designed for a multi-agency, multidisciplinary audience of mid- and upper-level managers from transportation, law enforcement, fire and rescue, emergency medical, emergency communications, and other agencies that respond to traffic incidents. In addition, the target audience also includes private sector responders from towing and recovery companies, hazardous materials contractors, and traffic reporting media. Course Length: One or two days. Cost: $4,500 or $6900 per session (between $128 and $345 per participant depending on the number of participants and course length). To Access This Resource: Contact the NHI Training Team, (703) 235-0534, nhitraining@fhwa.dot.gov or access the website addresses:
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| Managing Travel for Planned Special Events (NHI Course# 133099 or 133099A) |
| This course provides participants with the ability to identify and discuss the key phases, institutional issues, challenges, techniques, and other issues to consider in coordinating, planning, managing, and controlling traffic for planned special events. The following key topics are covered in the course: planned special events overview, pre-event planning and coordination, traffic management plan and travel demand management initiatives, implementation activities, day-of-event activities, and post-event activities. Participants will be able to apply the recommended concepts and techniques with all five key phases involved with managing travel for a planned special event: (1) program planning, (2) event operations planning, (3) implementation activities, (4) day-of-event activities, and (5) post-event activities. The course will refer to FHWA's Managing Travel for Planned Special Events Handbook. The course will guide participants on how to apply key concepts contained in the handbook. Target Audience: The target audience includes transportation managers, service providers, public safety officials, public works directors, and business sector members of chambers of commerce. Operators and planners from states, cities, counties and metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) would also benefit from this course. Course Length: One or two days. The two-day version includes scenario-based exercises in a workshop format. Cost: $200 per participant for the one-day course; $270 per participant for the two-day course. To Access This Resource: Access the following website addresses:
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