Traffic_Incident_Management.pdf

Procedure New Lenox Fire Protection District 408 Procedures Manual Traffic Incident Management 408.1 PURPOSE The purpose of this guideline is to establish a Traffic Incident Management (TIM) program for the...

Procedure New Lenox Fire Protection District 408 Procedures Manual Traffic Incident Management 408.1 PURPOSE The purpose of this guideline is to establish a Traffic Incident Management (TIM) program for the New Lenox Fire Protection District responding to, and handling, roadway incidents. 408.2 GUIDELINE This guide will cover the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), vehicle placement, establishing a temporary traffic control zone, personnel responsibilities, emergency vehicle lighting, proper use of PPE and other items needed for the safety of our emergency responders while operating at roadway incidents. TIMA- Traffic Incident Management Area Advanced Warning Area- The area designated to inform drivers of the upcoming incident area Transitional Area- Drivers are redirected from their normal path. This usually involves tapering channeling devices, such as cones. Buffer Space- The area between the transitional space and the first blocking apparatus. Incident Space- Where actual incident is located. Activity Area- Includes both the incident space, the buffer space and the traffic space. Termination Area- Where the drivers return to normal path of traffic. Blocking- Positioning a fire apparatus on an angle to the lanes of traffic creating a physical barrier between upstream traffic and the work zone. Downstream- The direction that traffic is moving as it travels away from the incident Upstream- The direction that traffic is traveling from as the vehicles approach the incident scene. TCZ- Traffic Control Zone TTCZ- Temporary Traffic Control Zone Responders arriving at a traffic incident should estimate the magnitude of the traffic incident, expected time duration of the incident, and the expected vehicle queue length within 15 minutes. Then, set up the appropriate temporary traffic controls for these estimates. Traffic Incident Classes of Duration Major – Expected duration of more than 2 hours Intermediate – Expected duration of 30 minutes to 2 hours Minor – Expected duration under 30 minutes Major Traffic Incidents (more than 2 hours)- Major traffic incidents are typically traffic incidents involving hazardous materials, fatal traffic crashes, numerous vehicles and/ or other natural or Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/12/14, All Rights Reserved. Traffic Incident Management - 1 Published with permission by New Lenox Fire Protection District  New Lenox Fire Protection District Procedures Manual Traffic Incident Management man-made disasters. These traffic incidents typically involve closing all or part of a roadway for a period exceeding 2 hours. Attention should be paid to the end of the traffic queue such that warning is given to road users approaching the end of the queue. If manual traffic control is needed, it should be provided by qualified flaggers or uniformed law enforcement officers. When flares are used to initiate TCZ at traffic incidents, more permanent traffic control devices should replace them as soon as practical. Both the flare and its supporting device should then be removed from the roadway. On-scene responders should be trained in safe practices for accomplishing their tasks in and near traffic. Responders should always be aware of their visibility to oncoming traffic and take measures to move the traffic incident as far off the traveled roadway as possible or to provide for appropriate warning. Personnel will wear approved MUTCD vests (unless engaged in firefighting) immediately upon arriving on scene as well as blocking procedures by vehicles. Cones will be deployed as soon as possible but before 30 minutes and “Emergency Scene Ahead” warning signs will be displayed appropriately for all scenes greater than 30 minutes. Remember safety is the primary concern and safety procedures shall be deployed as early as possible. If flaggers are used to provide traffic control for an incident management situation, the flaggers may use appropriate traffic control devices that are readily available or that can be brought to the traffic incident scene on short notice. Intermediate Traffic Incidents ( 30 minutes to 2 hours)- Intermediate traffic incidents typically affect travel lanes for a time period of 30 minutes to 2 hours, and usually require traffic control on the scene to divert road users past the blockage. Full roadway closures might be needed for short periods during traffic incident clearance to allow traffic incident responders to accomplish their tasks. The establishment, maintenance, and prompt removal of lane diversions can be effectively managed by interagency planning that includes representatives of highway and public safety agencies. All traffic control devices needed to set up the TCZ at a traffic incident should be available so that they can be readily deployed for intermediate traffic incidents. The TCZ should include the proper traffic diversions, tapered lane closures, and upstream warning devices to alert approaching traffic of the end of a queue. Attention should be paid to the end of the traffic queue such that warning is given to road users approaching the end of the queue. If manual traffic control is needed, it should be provided by qualified flaggers or uniformed law enforcement officers. If flaggers are used to provide traffic control for an incident management situation, the flaggers may use appropriate traffic control devices that are readily available or that can be brought to the traffic incident scene on short notice. Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/12/14, All Rights Reserved. Traffic Incident Management - 2 Published with permission by New Lenox Fire Protection District  New Lenox Fire Protection District Procedures Manual Traffic Incident Management Minor Traffic Incidents (less than 30 minutes)- Minor traffic incidents are typically disabled vehicles and minor crashes that result in lane closures of less than 30 minutes. On-scene responders are typically law enforcement and towing companies and occasionally highway agency service patrol vehicles. Diversion of traffic into other lanes is often not needed or is needed only briefly. It is not generally possible or practical to set up a lane closure with traffic control devices for a minor traffic incident. Traffic control is the responsibility of on-scene responders. When a minor traffic incident blocks a travel lane, it should be removed from that lane to the shoulder as quickly as possible. On scene personnel may relocate patients to a near-by location to limit exposer on the roadway (i.e. refusals or property damage only incidents). Cone Deployment Traffic cones are used to channelize traffic, divide opposing traffic lanes, divide traffic lanes when two or more lanes are kept open in the same direction, and delineate short-duration maintenance and utility work. Steps should be taken to ensure that cones will not be blown over or displaced by wind or moving traffic. Cones can be doubled up to increase their weight. Traffic cones shall be deployed from the rear of the blocking apparatus toward approaching traffic to increase the advance warning provided for approaching motorists. Cones identify and only suggest the transition and tapering actions that are required of the approaching motorist. Personnel shall place cones and retrieve cones while facing oncoming traffic. Traffic cones should be strategically placed on any roadway where emergency operations are taking place. This is to allow adequate advance warning to drivers. Cones used for controlling traffic must be consistent in construction with the manual of uniform traffic control devices section 6F.01. When removing cones always face traffic (NEVER TURN YOUR BACK ON TRAFFIC) Channelizing devices should be constructed and ballasted to perform in a predictable manner when inadvertently struck by a vehicle. Channelizing devices should be crashworthy. Fragments or other debris from the device or the ballast should not pose a significant hazard to road users or workers. All devices should be MUTCD compliant. Single Lane Roadways Crews will place traffic cones in a straight and single line across both directions of traffic. At no time will crews set up a taper in either direction of travel because you will merge traffic, head-on, in both directions. Once traffic has stopped, crew members equipped with a stop/slow paddles, will divert traffic one direction at a time. Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/12/14, All Rights Reserved. Traffic Incident Management - 3 Published with permission by New Lenox Fire Protection District  New Lenox Fire Protection District Procedures Manual Traffic Incident Management If necessary, consider using a portable radio, on a fireground channel, to assist and/ or coordinate traffic. Multi-lane Roadways While operating on a multi-lane roadway, crews will set up a cone taper pattern to direct traffic away from the activity area. A proper taper will start with a minimum of 6 traffic cones and may be extended if needed. Cone Taper Placement The first traffic cone shall be place off the rear of the apparatus bumper, slightly over the white line. Crews then will take 10 steps (approx. 30’) upstream and one step inwards (away from traffic) then place the next cone. This will be repeated, as illustrated, in the diagram in this SOG. At no time shall a crew member stand at the rear of the blocking apparatus with a stop/ slow paddle. Instead, crew members will stand in the front of the blocking apparatus with the stop/slow paddle. Safety Always maintain safety by facing the oncoming traffic and staying in safe protected zones. All members shall work within the protected incident workspace at all times. Personal Protective Equipment Proper Personal Protective Equipment / Clothing is required for all traffic incidents as outlined Lexipol policy 914 on Personal Protective Equipment. Class II Vests All personnel shall wear class II high-visibility safety vests in addition to required personal protective equipment (PPE) whenever the emergency scene is located on or near a roadway where firefighters are subject to the hazards of moving traffic, construction vehicles or disaster recovery equipment as outlined in Lexipol policy 904 on High Visibility Safety Vests. Members who are working on roadways and are not directly exposed to fire, flame, excessive heat or hazardous materials are expected to wear a high-visibility vest. This includes pump operators, support personnel and command officers. When it is anticipated that the emergency scene will be located on a roadway, high-visibility safety vests should be donned along with other appropriate PPE at the time of dispatch. High-visibility vests should also be worn any time a member or a supervisor believes increased visibility would improve safety or efficiency. Warning Devices Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/12/14, All Rights Reserved. Traffic Incident Management - 4 Published with permission by New Lenox Fire Protection District  New Lenox Fire Protection District Procedures Manual Traffic Incident Management Safety Cones – All safety cones will be at least 18 inches high and have 6-inch retro reflective tape approximately 3-4” from the top of the cone. Safety Cones shall be deployed on all roadway incidents that require more than 5 minutes on scene. Warning Sign – Minimum sign size for high-speed highway use is 48” x 48” and shall be retro reflective with black lettering. The NLFD shall require the 48” x 48” sign on all traffic incidents that are in progress longer than 30 minutes and/or the traffic incident is in a location of poor visibility such as around a bend or up-hill. The sign shall be placed in the Advanced Warning Area and will be used in conjunction with the safety cones. Flares – Placing flares for night time operations greatly enhances scene safety. Be cautious on where flares are placed on the incident scene. Motorists are more likely to follow the flare pattern then to drive over the flares. Lighting Emergency vehicle lighting provides warning only and not effective in traffic control. It is often confusing to road users, especially at night. The use of emergency vehicle lighting can be reduced once a proper TCZ has been established. This is especially true for major traffic incidents that might involve a number of emergency vehicles. Scene Lighting – Night time operations at an incident requires lights. When lighting the scene of an incident be aware of the positioning of the lights. Keep the lights from obscuring traffic visibility. Emergency Vehicle Lighting – The use of emergency vehicle lighting is essential, especially in the initial stages of a traffic incident, for the safety of emergency responders and persons involved in the traffic incident, as well as road users approaching the traffic incident. The emergency vehicle at the beginning of the transition zone will have the rear emergency vehicle lights activated including the arrow stick. The other vehicles within the TTCZ will reduce their lighting to emergency flashers only. This will ensure optimum safety and vision for our personnel and the motoring public. Reduced lighting will help the “Spotter” view approaching traffic without being affected by all the emergency lighting. Arrow sticks will be utilized to direct traffic around the roadway incident. Rear mounted lighting will provide early warning to the motoring public that an incident is ahead. Rear mounted arrow sticks will only be used during roadway incidents. Apparatus operator should consider emergency lighting when angling the apparatus. The more the apparatus is angled the more emergency lighting is reduced Responsibility It’s the responsibility of each member that responds to roadway incidents to be properly trained in TIM, and for knowing the operating guide that covers TIM. All members shall be constantly aware of their surroundings while operating at any roadway incident. Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/12/14, All Rights Reserved. Traffic Incident Management - 5 Published with permission by New Lenox Fire Protection District  New Lenox Fire Protection District Procedures Manual Traffic Incident Management Disciplinary Action Failure to follow this SOG will result in progressive disciplinary action up to and including dismissal. Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/12/14, All Rights Reserved. Traffic Incident Management - 6 Published with permission by New Lenox Fire Protection District