1 WELCOME From ODOT / OSP

2 Emergency Workzone Traffic Control For Emergency Responders

3 Topics of Discussion Mission and Statistics Work Zone and traffic control Arrival and parking/scene mgmt. Class Exercise/Discussion.

4 Mission The traffic control mission at emergency scenes is to: –1) Assure Personal Safety. –2) Provide efficient and safe work area for responders and potential victims. –3) Provide safety and clear direction for the traveling public.

5 ODOT Roles and Responsibilities Role includes Traffic control and ICS #1 Responder Safety! #2 Public safety #3 Traffic Operations and motorist info. #4 Clearance and Cleanup #5 Damage assessment and repair

6 Police Roles and Responsibilities Role includes Enforcement and ICS #1 Responder Safety! #2 Public safety #3 Traffic Operations #4 Investigation #5 Clearance

7 Fire Roles and Responsibilities Role includes Operations and ICS #1 Responder Safety! #2 Public safety –Medical –Fire –Hazmat #3 Traffic Operations

8 EMS Roles and Responsibilities #1 Responder Safety! #2 Public safety #3 Medical

9 Tow Roles and Responsibilities #1Responder Safety! #2Public Safety #3Vehicle Removal #4 Clean-up

10 Statistics The cost of delays is estimated at over 16 billion dollars nationwide. Closures lead to poor public image, road rage/aggressive driving, and secondary accidents. 20 percent of all freeway accidents are caused by previous accidents. 4 percent of Interstate fatals “Hit a vehicle on the shoulder”

11 More Statistics A one lane closure reduces capacity by greater than 50% on the freeway. 4 minutes of congestion results from every minute of the incident.

12 ODOT FATALITIES 1939 TO 1999 – 72 Total 12 Killed by Work Environment (Rocks, Collapse, Etc)12 Killed by Work Environment (Rocks, Collapse, Etc) 5 Killed in Fall or Slip.5 Killed in Fall or Slip. 9 Killed in Accidents involving Equipment9 Killed in Accidents involving Equipment 16 Killed in Vehicle Accidents.16 Killed in Vehicle Accidents. 30 Hit and Killed by Passing or Backing Vehicles in work zones!30 Hit and Killed by Passing or Backing Vehicles in work zones!

13 Emergency Vehicle Accidents Emergency Vehicles involved in 87 reported crashes in Oregon from Jan to Sept Emergency Vehicles involved in 87 reported crashes in Oregon from Jan to Sept Resulted in the deaths of 2 OSP Officers.Resulted in the deaths of 2 OSP Officers. 53 Injuries.53 Injuries. No estimate of property damage.No estimate of property damage. 53 vehicles out of service.53 vehicles out of service.

14 Work Zone and Traffic Control Common Sense Good Judgement Follow the standards Exposure to a busy highway or Interstate is more hazardous than entering burning buildings or treating patients with Hepatitis.

15 Definitions: see handout Authority * Buffer Space Flagger * MUTCD ODOT * Roadway Shoulder * Sight Distance Traffic control device Work Area

16 Traffic Control Zone Components Termination Area Emergency Work Area Buffer Space Transition Area –Cones and Flares Orange and Black Signs –Advance warning area

17 Advance Warning Area Devices –Flares, Signs (Wreck Ahead, Fire, Etc.), Roto Beams, Cones, Competent Person. Distance: --Freeway = 1/2 to 1 mile –--Open Highway = 1500’ (1/4 Mi.+) –-- Urban Area = 1 Block

18 Advance Warning Area (Cont.): Signs: Orange and Black, Minimum 36” for secondary and 48” for Freeway. Flags or cones must accompany signs. Visibility and motorist reactions are critical elements to keep in mind while placing advance warning devices. Do not rely solely on Emergency Flashers/Strobe lights to provide you protection!

19 Transition Area Moving vehicles out of normal travel lane (Flare patterns, cones, flaggers, barricades and detours.)

20 Buffer Zone Safety margin for emergency workers and the traveling public. –Freeway = 175’ to 225’ –Standard = 120 to 175’ –Urban = 100’ to 125’

21 Emergency Work Area Immediate area where responders and equipment are located. Assure there is room enough for personnel and equipment to move safely without putting either at risk. Think about Parking! The area could expand depending on conditions.

22 Termination Area This area advises motorists they can resume normal driving patterns and speeds. Cone Tapers, Flaggers, Signs and Barricades can be used.

23 Flares Flares are not recognized as a control device and should not be used in conjunction with signs, cones, etc. If needed, flares need to produce long even tapers at the designated speed limit in feet. (i.e. 50 MPH = 50 feet.) Each Flare is on a one foot offset. Do not use flares with chemical or fuel spills, or at other times when the flare may create problems.

24 Shoulder When the traffic lanes are clear, but the incident or equipment/ responders are using the shoulder, it should be closed off in the same manner as a lane closure.

25 Remember For your safety, motorists need these three things: –Visibility (Need to see you!) –Adequate warning time! –Adequate reaction time!

26 Tapers and cone spacing Simplified Taper Formula: –Carry 13 cones for optimum taper. –Place cones 1 foot apart in lane. i.e. 12 cones per 12’ lane –Distance between cones = speed in feet. (i.e. for 50 MPH = 50’ distance. Total taper length = 600’)

27 Use of a Flagger Flagging is used at work sites to stop traffic intermittently or to slow traffic past the work site to help protect work crews. The flagger must always be clearly visible to approaching traffic. The flagger needs enough site distance to permit proper driver response to flagging instructions prior to the work site.

28 Problems Typical to Flagging Flaggers are very vulnerable to traffic. Flagging is one of the most hazardous activities on the roadway. Flaggers are sometimes inadequately trained and motivated. Flagging procedures are sometimes employed where safer methods of traffic control could be used.

29 Functions of a Flagger Direct traffic though traffic control zones. Protect the lives and property of motorists and pedestrians Protect Workers/Rescuers. Ensure safe separation between traffic and work zone activities. Courteously and intelligently answer any motorist question.

30 Handout Class exercise Qualifications Positioning Hand signaling Summary

31 Parking Equipment On-scene Avoid Parking on the wrong side of the road or freeway whenever possible! Avoid Parking in the Passing Lane if at all possible (unless that is where the accident is located. If you need part of a lane, take the whole lane. Use only the shoulder when possible. Always set up traffic control behind you!

32 Parking Equipment (Cont.) Think ahead! Leave room for the ambulance and fire truck directly in front of or directly behind the accident. Park Together in a line. Minimize adverse effects on traffic. Clear un-needed responders/onlookers from the scene. Depart as soon as possible (Limit your time of exposure).

33 Overhead Strobe Light Bars Strobes tend to Confuse and Disorient drivers. ODOT recommends turning off unnecessary strobelights as soon as practical. “May serve as more of distraction than a benefit”. Keep flashing lights on when: Incident vehicles are on the freeway lanes; or incident vehicles are on the shoulder and traffic is passing by at a high rate of speed

34 Please Note: Parking of equipment and apparatus is the biggest hazard to life at accident scenes Especially those unattended vehicles on the inside lane obstructing that lane. ODOT is responsible for highway management. Good scene parking management improves responder and motorist safety.

35 Develop Traffic Control Plans Now Can be simple or complex depending on the following factors: –T–Traffic Volume -- Visibility –D–Designated Speed -- Weather. –T–Time of Day --Available resources. –L–Location of incident –L–Location of equipment and responders. –S–Surface conditions. –L–Length of time of incident.

36 Pre Planning Traffic Control Use your experience at incident scenes. Draw simple diagrams and indicate type and location of traffic control devices. Debrief and critique traffic control after incidents, Make improvements to plans. Once you start practicing safe traffic control you will be able to accomplish it at every scene, enhancing your safety and the safety of the public.

Example A What is wrong with this scene? Can you tell who Arrived first? Second? Etc.

Example B *Park on same side = Reduces driver confusion, better traffic movement, Avoids congestion delays for equipment, safer vehicle access for responders. Staging!!! Example A What is wrong with this scene? Can you tell who Arrived first? Second? Etc.

39 The End Thank you!