Responders play a key role Responders play a key role SW Florida TIM TeamsReducingSecondaryCrashes By Arland (Ted) Smith

Nationwide 20% of interstate crashes are secondary incidents

Consider That secondary incidents statistically are more severe than the initial event That secondary incidents statistically are more severe than the initial event All to often secondary crashes involve incident responders All to often secondary crashes involve incident responders There is a growing likelihood that response agencies will be included in law suits after a major secondary There is a growing likelihood that response agencies will be included in law suits after a major secondary That TIM best practices are effective That TIM best practices are effective

Recent examples Arbitration panel orders MoDOT to pay $1.3 million for failing to provide warning of a previous crash Arbitration panel orders MoDOT to pay $1.3 million for failing to provide warning of a previous crash Fatal crash on I-75 during ‘rolling road block’ with no warning highlighted recently in NY Times. Ten injured two dead Fatal crash on I-75 during ‘rolling road block’ with no warning highlighted recently in NY Times. Ten injured two dead Seven die in FL Turnpike secondary crash involving Fire Rescue and Sheriff’s vehicle Seven die in FL Turnpike secondary crash involving Fire Rescue and Sheriff’s vehicle

The original event was not even in the roadway, however responders parked in the right travel lane in a fog bank

Fortunately no responders injured or killed

At a traffic incident, who is responsible for Temporary Traffic Control which includes advanced warning to unsuspecting highway users? At a traffic incident, who is responsible for Temporary Traffic Control which includes advanced warning to unsuspecting highway users?

ANSWER All responders to highway incidents Fire-Rescue Fire-Rescue Law enforcement Law enforcement Asset management contractors or State DOT Asset management contractors or State DOT Traffic incident response patrols Traffic incident response patrols Local Highway or street departments Local Highway or street departments Private contractors, Spill clean-up and Private contractors, Spill clean-up and Towing and recovery operations Towing and recovery operations

Many Traffic Incident Responders are unaware that they are specifically charged with the responsibility of “Protecting highway users by warning them and guiding them past the incident scene safely” Per US DOT Federal Highway Administration Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices MUTCD

High Liability Potential for Responders Failure to Warn Failure to Act Failure to Protect Gross Negligence Deliberate Indifference Ask Yourself the Question: “What would a reasonable person do to reduce the hazard?”

Fundamentals of Tort Liability The following four factors used to prove negligence: A trial lawyer will methodically establish each……. Was there? A duty or standard A duty or standard A breach of that duty A breach of that duty An actual loss or harm An actual loss or harm A connection between breach of duty and resulting harm A connection between breach of duty and resulting harm

What practices contribute to secondary crashes ?

Anything here that could lead to a secondary ?

Witnesses allege this crash was preceded by a fire truck responding in the opposite direction in poor visibility

Motorists can be confused or temporarily blinded

Secondary crashes can be avoided

OKAY What works

‘15 Minute – Rule’ Responders…”should within 15 minutes of their arrival, estimate”: 1. The magnitude of the incident including lane blockage 2. The expected duration (use levels) 3. The expected ‘queue’ length (where advanced warning needs to be) They should provide, place or order the TTC for these estimates Use any devices readily on hand and order (request, procure) additional upgrades Use any devices readily on hand and order (request, procure) additional upgrades Continue to monitor conditions at the scene (follow the 15 minute rule) look for opportunities to upgrade scene safety and control of traffic Continue to monitor conditions at the scene (follow the 15 minute rule) look for opportunities to upgrade scene safety and control of traffic Remember simply repositioning emergency vehicles is an upgrade Remember simply repositioning emergency vehicles is an upgrade Report changes in traffic flow (lane openings) to dispatch for Report changes in traffic flow (lane openings) to dispatch for dissemination to RTMC and motorists. Every 15 minutes dissemination to RTMC and motorists. Every 15 minutes

Manually warning traffic before the queue, basic but very effective

Advanced warning Attention must be paid to the end of the queue, the location is dynamic, anticipate expansion Attention must be paid to the end of the queue, the location is dynamic, anticipate expansion Warning must be given to motorists approaching the stopping traffic Warning must be given to motorists approaching the stopping traffic The ‘second in’ responder could take this responsibility The ‘second in’ responder could take this responsibility Request the RTMC to display crash alert messages upstream on dynamic message signs Request the RTMC to display crash alert messages upstream on dynamic message signs Suggestion, start with these two signs: If possible post on both sides of roadway “Emergency scene ahead” and “Emergency scene ahead” and “Be prepared to stop”

Placing signing upstream consider visibility, prevailing speed and sight distance Is this the ideal location for this sign ?

Request TMC to post warnings on Dynamic Message Signs (DMS)

During the initial response, using apparatus to help protect the scene by blocking one additional lane is OKAY Consider now the value of quickly adding traffic controls

Even basic cone placement enhances scene safety

Cones and flares Suggest 36” or 28” Traffic Cones, 4 per squad car and 10 per fire truck or tow truck* Suggest 36” or 28” Traffic Cones, 4 per squad car and 10 per fire truck or tow truck* Carry some cones in every vehicle that responds to highway incidents, number depends on space available Carry some cones in every vehicle that responds to highway incidents, number depends on space available Flares can be used to set up initial lane closures and for supplementing cones at night Flares can be used to set up initial lane closures and for supplementing cones at night Remove flares completely from the roadway Remove flares completely from the roadway * MUTCD allows use of whatever is on hand

Establish a well defined incident scene Deploy cones and follow good vehicle placement fundamental

Vehicle Positioning Many TIM Teams are developing SOG’s (Standard Operating Guidelines) Many TIM Teams are developing SOG’s (Standard Operating Guidelines) Every incident is different, SOG is simply that, ie. a guide. But it does provide basic or default plan for emergency vehicle parking Every incident is different, SOG is simply that, ie. a guide. But it does provide basic or default plan for emergency vehicle parking Several examples to review, many TIM teams putting these together Several examples to review, many TIM teams putting these together

Vehicle Position Downstream Downstream Tow Vehicle Tow Vehicle Ambulance Ambulance Upstream Upstream Road Ranger/FDOT Road Ranger/FDOT FHP FHP Fire Truck Fire Truck Note: The upstream configuration can vary with the resources on hand, arrival order and the geometrics

THINK! Before you park in the roadway with no advance warning

Quick Clearance Best Practices can limit exposure to secondary crashes Aggressive Relocation, of Truck Wrecks Aggressive Relocation, of Truck Wrecks Multiple Agency QC Training Multiple Agency QC Training “Move-it” law mandate “Move-it” law mandate Investigations conducted using Time Management Investigations conducted using Time Management DOT/ Asset Mgt /Patroller Open Roads Training DOT/ Asset Mgt /Patroller Open Roads Training Unified Command Procedures Unified Command Procedures

Positive Traffic Control expanded, critical role of a ‘flagger ’or traffic manager Always assign a person to this role upon arrival Always assign a person to this role upon arrival Train where to stand to be the most effective Train where to stand to be the most effective Establish eye contact with drivers Establish eye contact with drivers Three proven, positive or manual traffic control benefits: 1. Provides a dedicated team member watching and facilitating traffic while being responsive to needs of on-scene personnel 2. Can move significantly more traffic past the incident (limits rubbernecking) could be as much as 40% 3. Sends the right message individually to motorists caught in the queue, perception is now ‘they are doing the best they can to get me on my way”

Emergency light use Evaluate current practices Evaluate current practices Consider the confusion of approaching motorists Consider the confusion of approaching motorists The moth to the flame theory, reality? The moth to the flame theory, reality? A flashing emergency light is not a traffic control device A flashing emergency light is not a traffic control device The approaching traffic from the opposite direction of travel, front facing flashers an unwanted distraction The approaching traffic from the opposite direction of travel, front facing flashers an unwanted distraction Arrow boards recommended, fire apparatus, highway agencies and tow trucks even squad cars. A great traffic control device!

# 1 -- PICK FOR RISK REDUCTION Continue to look for opportunities to upgrade scene traffic controls following the MUTCD Standards USE THE “15 MINUTE RULE”

In review Limit exposure time Limit exposure time Upgrade Traffic Controls early Upgrade Traffic Controls early Reposition Vehicles ASAP Reposition Vehicles ASAP Know the SOG’s Know the SOG’s Combine resources Combine resources Preventing Secondary Crashes a high priority for everyone ! Preventing Secondary Crashes a high priority for everyone !

Thank You Discussion welcomed Arland T. (Ted) Smith