1. Towing & Recovery Incentive Program (TRIP)
Welcome to the Virginia department of Transportation Towing and Recovery Incentive Program awareness training
2019

2. What is TRIP?
TRIP is a quick clearance incentive program to pay heavy-duty recovery companies a monetary bonus for clearing Commercial Vehicle Crashes within 90 mins.
TRIP’s key objective is to standardize the towing response and facilitate the safe and quick clearance of commercial vehicle crashes on the Interstate system
The Towing and Recovery Incentive Program, commonly referred to as TRIP, is a specific towing and recovery effort that partners VDOT and the Virginia State Police with private sector towing firms.
TRIP is designed to facilitate safe, quick clearance of Commercial Vehicle Crashes on the interstates in the Richmond Region. One of the key elements of TRIP is to standardize the response from the towing community much like that of the Fire Service. This standardized response eliminates the uncertainty associated with the traditional rotational heavy duty tow procedure, and drastically reduces the amount of time spent on a crash scene for the towing and recovery effort.
This approach, coupled with specific mandated requirements for responding wrecker equipment and high levels of training for all TRIP towing operators serves to ensure that all first responders on the scene of a major commercial vehicle crash can expect the exact same response regardless of location, time of day, or crash severity.

3. Program benefits
TRIP will benefit emergency responders, traveling motorists, and anyone concerned about traffic incidents in the region by facilitating the safe, quick clearance of large commercial vehicle incidents, resulting in a reduction of congestion and secondary incidents.
Responders will benefit from increased safety with decreased time spent on the interstate during incident clearance.
The benefits for the traveling motorists will be interstate reliability, increased safety, saved time, saved costs from reduced congestion and most notably, a potential reduction in secondary incidents.
Towing and recovery companies will benefit on two fronts:
Increased safety resulting from proper training and partnering with other T.I.M. stakeholders
Monetary incentives given for overall performance, proper equipment and quick clearance of travel lanes
Commercial vehicle crashes are extremely disruptive to the safe and efficient operation of the interstate system. Travel delays and the resulting backups associated with lane reduction often result in secondary crashes.
There are numerous benefits to implementing a program such as TRIP
The motoring public sees improved reliability as crashes are cleared quickly and efficiently
On scene responders, who are exposed to the dangers of working in and around live traffic will benefit as their exposure decreases. Additionally, trust and confidence in the TRIP towing community will enhance the Incident Command process and bring all incident stakeholders to the same table and in pursuit of the same goals.
The towing community benefits on multiple fronts. The enhanced training that they have received as part of the TRIP program allows them to operate safely and efficiently, thus eliminating the guesswork and trial and error approach to recovering a commercial vehicle. Additionally, the TRIP towing community will be compensated for good performance.
A TRIP program benefits all of the stakeholders region-wide as traffic, freight and commerce continue to flow freely on the interstate system, with as little impact as possible.

4. Is a Primary Focus of this program
SAFE, QUICK CLEARANCE
Is a Primary Focus of this program
Safety of responders is #1 priority
Reduce the amount of time on major crash scenes
Move it? Or work it?
Drag to a safer area if practical
Think outside of the box
May require specialized training and/or discussion to increase awareness
Will require partnering with all responders to facilitate
Safety of the motoring public
Keep lanes open whenever possible
Facilitate traffic flow and minimize queue
Reduce likelihood of secondary crashes
Who’s safety is #1? Our safety…. First responders…
However, we have a responsibility to the motoring public as well. The reduction of secondary crashes is also a primary goal of TRIP. Efficiently clearing interstate commercial vehicle crashes is imperative to EVERYBODY’S safety.
As a first responder who may be interacting with the TRIP towing company, we need to consider a few factors. Can we move this crash, or should we work this crash right where it is? Can we relocate this 80,0000 lb semi to the right shoulder? To the next interchange? To a rest area parking lot? Oftentimes, the answer is YES WE CAN. Sometimes however, we have to work the crash right where it is.
The TRIP towing community has been trained in quick clearance techniques as well as recovery tactics. Those are the tactical decisions that must be made by the TRIP towing company and with Incident Command concurrence.
Many of the tactics employed under the TRIP program are new to the region’s responders. It is up to all of the stakeholders to follow the Incident Command process, as it is critical to the success of this program. All of the TRIP operators have been trained in the NIMS ICS process and have been directed to seek out the Incident Commander at each crash scene, and engage, discuss, cooperate communicate, coordinate
The ultimate goal is to restore live lanes of traffic as soon as possible and minimize impacts to the motoring public

5. PROGRAM OVERVIEW
TRIP will be activated for all lane blockage commercial vehicle crashes by VDOT, Virginia State Police or Safety Service Patrol Operators
TRIP will also recover any other vehicles involved in the
crash, eliminating multiple towing company response
Time keepers: VDOT Traffic
Operations Center through
State Police or Safety Service
Patrol
When a commercial vehicle crash occurs, AND is blocking lanes of travel on the interstate or a ramp lane entering or exiting the interstate, that crash is a candidate for TRIP activation.
TRIP activation will typically be handled by the Virginia State Police, or the VDOT Safety Service Patrol Supervisor. The two groups are the primary first responders and typically the first to arrive on the scene of a crash on the interstate system
If other non commercial vehicles are involved in the crash, the responding TRIP towing company will handle those vehicles as well. There is no need to call another towing service
Once activated, either the State Police or a VDOT representative will be responsible for all on scene timekeeping duties.
The VDOT Traffic Operations Center will dispatch all TRIP calls, and serve as the formal timekeeper and recording entity for the incident.

6. TRIP Requirements - Compliance
Response Times:
45 mins. (peak hrs.) for on-scene wrecker crew
60 mins. (off-peak hrs.) for on-scene wrecker crew
Safety Vests (ANSI Class III) – At all times for all personnel
Lane clearance within 90 minutes
Finish recovery from safer area if practical
Must participate in the Incident Command process
A key element of the TRIP program is program compliance. The TRIP towing community has the obligation to meet the program goals whenever possible.
Response with a TRIP team is expected within 45 minutes of being dispatched, Monday thru Friday between 5:30 am and 7 pm. This covers the peak travel hours of a normal work week.
The TRIP response team is expected to arrive on scene within 60 minutes during off hours and weekends.
All TRIP personnel and their agents must wear a Class 3 safety vest, 24/7 with no exceptions
Once the TRIP team is on scene, and all non towing activity is completed, they will communicate their clearance and recovery plan to the Incident Commander and receive their Notice to Proceed to start the process. That Notice to Proceed starts their 90 minute lane clearance clock.
The goal is to clear the live lanes of travel within that 90 minute window. The TRIP towing company will work with on scene command staff to determine the safest and most efficient way to handle the crash

7. TRIP Requirements Personnel & Equipment
30-ton and one 50-ton recovery wrecker (or 40-ton Rotator) with two TRIP qualified operators
Support truck including a full set of tools, traffic control & fluid spill mitigation capability with one TRIP qualified supervisor
A 3-man team response to every TRIP crash
Other specialized heavy equipment (low-boys, skid-steer, sand spreaders, etc.)
24/7 equipment availability
Participation in the TRIP program is voluntary. Not all towing companies have the assets required to participate. Those that are in the program meet the minimum requirements for wrecker specifications, equipment, training and response.
Once a crash receives TRIP activation, the TRIP company will respond with a minimum of one 30 ton wrecker and one 50 ton wrecker. In addition to the two wreckers that will respond to every TRIP crash a support vehicle or support trailer will also respond with additional tools and equipment.
This “3 man” team ensures a consistent response to every TRIP activation and affords the other first responders a high level of expectation. This standardized approach is similar to that of the Fire Service and eliminates the uncertainty of calling off of the rotational tow list, where we never quite know what assets are going to show up, or if the wrecker operator is sufficiently trained.

8. TRIP REQUIREMENTS - TRAINING
Operators and Supervisors with full certifications:
Advanced heavy recovery and highway clearance TRIP Level 1 and Level 2 training provided by WreckMaster instructors
TRIP Level 1- Operators
TRIP Level 2- Supervisor
Hazardous Material awareness
SHRP2 Responder Training
NIMS 100 & 700
Virginia Work Area Protection Manual
Every wrecker operator from every TRIP participating company has received a very high level of training in order to qualify for participation in TRIP.
We have partnered with WreckMaster, a nationally recognized Wrecker Training Company to provide two levels of heavy wrecker training. This training focused heavily on the quick clearance strategies mentioned earlier as well as recovery concepts and straight towing.
In addition, the TRIP program mandated Hazardous Materials Awareness training, SHRP2 Traffic Incident Management Training, NIMS Incident Command System 100 and 700, and all have attended the Virginia Work Area Protection Manual class.
The combination of all of these training classes has elevated the TRIP towing community to levels rarely seen in the Towing industry. This training has allowed for and sets the bar for a much higher level of performance as a wrecker operator, a higher level of performance as an incident scene stakeholder, and has provided for an overall improvement in stakeholder interaction.
The TRIP towing community is now regarded as true professionals, with an equal seat at the table along with other responders.

9. Recovery zones 11 TRIP towing companies WS Campbell Bishops
Central City Coastal
Dennis Capital Garage
Eagle Robinson
Glen Allen Bob Alley
Anytime
Each towing company has been assigned its own dedicated recovery zone
No rotations from Police Tow list
No owner request tows for a TRIP call
All TRIP Activations are handled by the Richmond Traffic Operations Center (not State or Local Police)
Currently, there are 11 TRIP towing companies providing this high level of response service to the Richmond/ Petersburg Region.
Each of the 11 TRIP towing companies has been assigned it’s own dedicated recovery zone. Each zone was developed and designed based on each company’s ability to respond to a crash within the 45 minute response requirement. Each TRIP company has their own recovery zone, and there is no rotation. They are responsible to respond 24/7
The TRIP program is activated and dispatched through the VDOT Richmond Traffic and Operations Center and not through the State Police Dispatch that currently handles the rotational tow list for non TRIP crashes. This dispatch function was purposely separated to avoid confusion when dispatching TRIP vs. the traditional heavy duty tow.
Another element of TRIP is that it does not allow for any type of owner request for towing services. If the commercial vehicle crash qualifies for TRIP activation, then the TRIP towing company assigned to that location will get the call. Once again, this ensures that the proper standardized response and proper resources arrive in a timely manner. This approach eliminates delays associated with insufficient resources arriving to your crash scene.

10. TRIP Performance Measures
The key to validating the improvements and benefits
Reduction in Response Times
Improvements in Roadway Clearance Times
Reduction in Travel-Lane Blockage
Reduction in Overall Incident Duration
Dollar Saving from Reduced Congestion
How do we know if we are doing a good job or not? We measure everything
We measure response to the crash,
we measure time spent on the crash,
we measure how long it takes to clear the lanes of travel,
we measure overall incident duration
We measure the length of backed up traffic
We measure secondary crash details
We measure everything
Knowing we can clear crashes quicker isn’t good enough, we need to be able to prove and illustrate the benefits of this type of approach.
This is why we have developed a program with very specific criteria and very specific goals. They are all objective, and they are all measurable.

11. INCIDENT TIMELINE Primary Focus: T2 – T6
The incident timeline is a chart that is familiar to anyone who has had Traffic Incident Management Training. It is simply the life of any incident.
The focus of TRIP is to compress T2 – T6. The first step is to arrive within the required response time limits. Once on scene, and once all non towing functions are complete such as fire, patient care, hazardous condition, or investigation, the towing and recovery portion of the crash will begin. Towing and recovery efforts potentially take much more time to complete than other elements, and if we can compress the amount of time it takes to remove the damaged commercial vehicles, then we can reduce the overall time it takes to return to normal traffic flow.
INCIDENT TIMELINE
Primary Focus: T2 – T6

12. TRIP Activation Criteria
Tractor Semi-Trailer Combinations (DOT Class 8)
Rollover blocking any of the travel lanes
Multiple truck crash
Jack-knifed and not drivable
Lost Load on or affecting the travel lanes
Load Shifted on or affecting a travel lane
Lost tandems or axle or buckled trailer on or affecting a travel lane
Truck fire with tires burned off or cargo spilled
Major impact with guard rail, bridge support or structure on top of a barrier wall
Trucks over 26,000 lbs. and ‘Bobtail’ Tractors (DOT Class 7 or 8)
Lost load on or affecting the travel lanes
Load shifted on or affecting travel lanes
Lost tandems or front axle
Major impact with a guard rail, bridge support or structure on top of a wall
Large Motor Homes (40ft plus) and Motor Coaches (DOT Class 5 and 6) 
Rollover on the travel lanes
Fire with tires burned off
Major impact with a guard rail, bridge support or structure on top of a barrier wall
Busses (16 passenger or more, DOT Class 6, 7 & 8) 
Rollover on or off travel lanes
Crash with multiple injuries Fire with tires burned off or burned luggage on the roadway
Trucks towing loaded equipment trailers or cargo trailers
Lost load/ equipment
TRIP is activated for Commercial Vehicle Crashes. It is not intended for passenger vehicles or multiple passenger vehicle crashes. Any commercial vehicle crash that impacts the lanes of travel qualify for TRIP activation.
It could be upright with heavy damage
It could be jackknifed with damage
It could be rolled over
It could be a lost or shifted load
It could be involved with passenger vehicles, at which point the entire crash will be a TRIP activation
TRIP includes large busses, both school and tour bus.
TRIP includes large motorhomes
TRIP may include large pickup trucks towing equipment trailers
TRIP includes ANY aircraft

13. Any rollover commercial vehicle blocking any or all lanes of traffic is an automatic TRIP activation. This can be determined through your initial windshield size up as you approach the crash.

14. Any jackknife semi-tractor trailer that has damage such as cab damage, pinched fuel tanks, or jackknifed so severely that it cannot be straightened out easily qualifies for TRIP activation

15. Any upright commercial vehicle with heavy damage to front or rear end, damage to any axles or tire that would not allow for a simple heavy duty tow, or any compromise of the load in or on the trailer.

16. Any fire that severely impacts the tractor or the trailer
Any fire that severely impacts the tractor or the trailer. Keep in mind that any fire may significantly impact the physical structure of the commercial vehicle.

17. Any lost or shifted load that impacts the lanes of travel can also qualify for TRIP activation. It is very important to described the lost load in detail as the type of materials lost will dictate the methods or the equipment needed to efficiently pick them up.
You will note in these two pictures that we have lost pipe and a shifted load of plywood. This is an important distinction, as the quality of your information given will directly affect the response and resources you receive.

18. On occasion, you will encounter a crash that does not cleanly fall into a definable category. Severe crashes that do not block lanes may not qualify for TRIP, but the impact to traffic due to the response effort may necessitate TRIP activation.
The goal of TRIP is to err on the side of caution. If you activate TRIP, you are guaranteed a pre-determined standardized response.

19. Teaming up with other first responders, and collectively working together is also a goal of the TRIP program. The photo on the left shows a car under a semi flatbed trailer. The Commercial Vehicle damage appears minor, and may not qualify as a TRIP call. However, there is clearly entrapment in the passenger vehicle. By activating TRIP for this crash, there is now an opportunity for the Fire Department to partner with the TRIP towing company in order to expedite the extrication of the patient.
In the second photo, we clearly have a fatal crash. Activating TRIP will also ensure that the appropriate towing assets will arrive and can aid in removing the victim from the truck after the investigation is complete and before the recovery process begins.

20. These photos illustrate those crashes that are not clearly defined
These photos illustrate those crashes that are not clearly defined. These are judgement calls, and are typically based on circumstance.
How many lanes blocked?
Time of day? Is it rush hour?
Weather Conditions? Is it raining or snowing
Low visibility
All of these factors can be considered when deciding to activate TRIP.

21. The chart you are looking at now is a decision flow chart to assist first responders determine TRIP activation. By using the criteria already established, we can determine rather quickly if TRIP activation is warranted. This chart is in every participating State Police, Safety Service Patrol and VDOT vehicle.

22. This chart is the reverse side of the previous chart
This chart is the reverse side of the previous chart. This two sided card provides a quick reference for all first responders who activate TRIP.
It lists all of the criteria that apply to TRIP activation, and further identifies the TRIP interstate boundaries in the Richmond/ Petersburg Region.
You will note that we have not identified the individual TRIP towing companies in this chart. The Richmond Traffic Operations Center has every TRIP responder identified based on recovery zone, eliminating confusion on the scene of an incident regarding which company should be called. Since each TRIP responder is already assigned a specific recovery response zone, and since ALL TRIP personnel have received the exact same level of training, the TRIP activating first responder is guaranteed the same response regardless of which TRIP towing company responds to the crash

23. TRIP determination First TRIP authorized responder:
Shall notify either Virginia State Police Dispatch or the VDOT Traffic Operations Center that the crash qualifies for TRIP activation
Can activate TRIP with visual confirmation while en-route
Provide as much specific detail to the Traffic Operations Center to ensure proper TRIP response
Coordinate with additional responders to prepare the crash scene
Applies to lane blockage on mainline lanes and ramp lanes
When the first TRIP authorized responder arrives, he or she should perform their typical windshield size up of the scene, as they would for any other crash.
If a State Police Officer is the first responder, and activates a TRIP response, that Trooper gives the information to the State Police Dispatch per standard procedures. Once the Trooper says Activate TRIP, the State Police Dispatch will then contact the Richmond Traffic Operations Center and provide all TRIP information. The Traffic Operations Center will then contact the appropriate TRIP company and begin the timekeeping process.
If a Safety Service Patrol Supervisor or any other VDOT staff member activates TRIP, then they will communicate directly with the Traffic Operations Center. In addition to contacting the appropriate TRIP company, the Traffic Operations center will also contact the State Police Dispatch to avoid a duplicate wrecker response.

24. TRIP notice to proceed Given by on scene command
Once all other non towing issues have been resolved
Once a clearance and recovery plan has been discussed
Begins the 90 minute clearance timeline
Time must be communicated to the VDOT TOC and logged on scene
90 minute clock for TRIP stops if on scene command stops the recovery process for any reason: e.g.
Safety reasons
Further investigation
90 minute clock restarts when the Incident Commander gives the Notice to Proceed to continue the recovery process
Once the TRIP company is dispatched to the scene, and arrives, the Incident Commander or on scene VDOT person will document the arrival time and communicate that time to the Traffic Operations Center.
Upon arrival, the TRIP company supervisor will immediately engage on scene command and participate in the Incident Command process. During this time, a detailed discussion will be held on how to best work the crash. The TRIP supervisor will make recommendations on a course of action and brief all stakeholders before being given a notice to proceed to start the recovery process.
Once all non-towing issues have been resolved, the TRIP team will be given their notice to proceed. This notice starts the 90 minute clock for lane clearance purposes. On scene command will continue to serve as formal timekeepers and communicate all time stamps back to the Traffic Operations Center.

25. Trip 90 minute LANE clearance
Applies to clearance of the travel lanes
Recovery and cleanup effort may continue beyond 90 minutes from the shoulder or other non-driving lane area deemed appropriate.
Lane clearance time must be communicated to the TOC for time stamping.
Critical to the recordkeeping necessary to pay out incentives for meeting the goals of the TRIP response and clearance of the roadway
Must be a collaborative effort between all crash scene stakeholders.
The 90 minute clearance time applies to the clearance of the live travel lanes. If the crash can be relocated to a shoulder or other safer area, and traffic can be restored to normal flow, AND if the TRIP company arrived within the timeframe, AND if all TRIP personnel are wearing the proper Class 3 safety vest, then the TRIP company qualifies for an incentive payment.
It is critical that the State Police, Safety Service Patrol, and/or VDOT capture all applicable timestamps and communicate back to the Traffic Operations Center
This process is a collaborative effort between all first responding stakeholders and is why the NIMS ICS process is stressed so strongly.
The recovery effort and cleanup effort may continue for as long as it takes on the shoulder or some other area deemed acceptable by on scene command.

26. After ACTION Reviews
Each month, an After Action Review meeting (A.A.R.) will be scheduled to review the previous months TRIP crashes
All towing companies will be required to attend each month. All on-scene stakeholders will also be invited to attend.
On scene TRIP manager (VDOT, SSP or VSP) will present a brief overview of their crash outlining the details and cite if TRIP performance measures were met and determine incentive payment
The TRIP towing company representative will also provide any issues or challenges
In order to track performance, share lessons learned, and approve and deny incentive payments, a meeting is scheduled each month to review the previous month’s TRIP activity. All TRIP towing companies are required to attend, and representatives from all other stakeholder groups are in attendance as well.
A brief overview of each crash is presented to the group, and feedback and discussion is solicited from the participating personnel.
Successes and challenges will be an integral part of the discussion. The goal of the monthly review meeting is to inform, share and educate the group. This exchange serves to bring the stakeholder group together, forge positive relationships, open lines of communication and provide lessons learned for future reference.
Once all elements of each TRIP crash have been reviewed and discussed, the TRIP incentive payment will be either approved or denied by the Program Managers in an open forum. The integrity of this program is reliant on clear and concise communication in an open forum, with all stakeholders present.

27. Strong relationships
TRIP staff must engage the Incident Commander upon their arrival
Acknowledge arrival time
Discuss quick clearance and recovery strategy
Sets the stage for mutual respect and understanding of roles
Streamlined handoff of command as incident evolves
Will either ensure safety and success
OR, potentially set up responders for failure
Requires ongoing effort and engagement
One of the positive byproducts to arise from a program such as this is that it enhances the relationships between the responders. A TRIP program requires significant outreach many months in advance, and bringing together responders is part of that formula.
The Towing community received NIMS training because they had little knowledge and understanding of the Incident Command structure. Now with TRIP, they actively engage the Incident Commander by default upon arrival and throughout the duration of the incident. Communication has improved, and the other responding stakeholders have a growing appreciation and confidence in the abilities of the TRIP towing community. This is leading to a partnering effort for training within the towing group and with other responding entities like the Fire Service.
This improvement in relationships is beginning to streamline the activities on the scene of a crash, and is helping shorten the duration. This in turn, is reducing the exposure of responders to live traffic.
This outreach effort will continue throughout the entire responding community, and not just TRIP Activating Personnel.

28. Questions? Mark Irving VDOT Regional Incident Management Coodrinator
If there are any questions regarding the TRIP program, please contact Scott Kapton, VDOT TRIP Project Manager. All contact information is listed here for your use.