Maintenance of Traffic (MOT) Concepts MOT Training for Incident Responders in Florida Module 4 Highway Terminology Module 4 Highway Terminology Standardized names and terms to identify specific features of any street, road, or highway where an incident may occur. – Reduce confusion – Improve the safety of responders – Make operations at the scene more efficient Module 4 Shoulders • The pavement adjacent to travel lanes • Referenced by: – Inside or Outside Module 4 Median • The center of the roadway Module 4 Lane Referencing • Numbered from outside to inside – Should not be referenced as the “slow lane” or the “fast lane” • Acceleration and deceleration lanes at interchanges will not be numbered except in the case of lane drops or adds Module 4 Shoulder Shoulder Inside 33 22 1 Outside Median Outside 11 22 33 Inside Shoulder Module 4 6-lane divided highway Shoulder Shoulder Shoulder 3 2 1 4 3 2 Shoulder 1 Inside Inside Outside Lane Drop Module 4 Shoulder 3 2 1 3 2 1 Outside Deceleration Lane Upstream and Downstream • Upstream – Any area of a highway or any moving traffic that is approaching the actual incident or activity area • Downstream – Area that is past the incident scene Module 4 Downstream Incident Upstream Module 4 Incident Definition Module 4 Differences in Definition • Transportation provider definition vs. • Emergency responder definition Module 4 Source: FHWA, Incident Management Performance Measures Transportation Providers • Traffic Incident Management Handbook defines an “incident” as “any non-recurring event that causes a reduction of roadway capacity or an abnormal increase in demand” • The 2000 Highway Capacity Manual defines an “incident” as “any occurrence on a roadway that impedes normal traffic flow” Module 4 Emergency Responders • Most law enforcement agencies and emergency responders seem to define an “incident” as any event to which they are dispatched or requires a “response” or action by them. Module 4 Types of Incidents Module 4 Predictable • Maintenance Activities • Construction Activities • Special Events Module 4 Unpredictable • Accidents (crashes) • Stalled vehicles • Spilled loads • Weather • Roadway failures • Debris falling from trucks Module 4 Incidents • Create non-recurring traffic congestion – 60% of all congestion • Cause secondary crashes Module 4 Highway Standards • Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) • State Departments of Transportation • Local Municipal Governments Module 4 MUTCD • Chapter 6I of the 2003 MUTCD • “Control of Traffic Through Traffic Incident Management Areas” Module 4 Major Provisions • Classify incidents by expected duration • Recommend interagency pre-planning and management (“unified incident management”) • “Fluorescent coral” background/black letters permitted for signs in incident traffic control zones • Recommendations on use of Emergency Vehicle Lighting Module 4 Incident Classification • Level 1 – Minor –under 30 minutes • Level 2 – Intermediate –from 30 minutes to 2 hours • Level 3 – Major –over 2 hours Module 4 Source: TIM Handbook & MUTCD 2003 Chapter 6 Temporary Traffic Control Zones Module 4 Temporary Traffic Control Zones Divided into four areas: • Advance Warning Area • Transition Area • Activity Area • Termination Area Module 4 Termination Area Traffic Space Buffer Space Work Area Buffer Space Activity Area (Hot Zone) Transition Area Shoulder Taper Component Parts of a Temporary Traffic Control Zone Advance Warning Area Module 4 Source: MUTCD 2003 Chapter 6 Advance Warning Area • First section that informs drivers about the incident area they are approaching • Varies from a single sign or warning light on a vehicle to a series of warning signs – Examples: cones, flares, or emergency vehicles far in advance of the actual incident (crash or fire scene) Module 4 Transition Area • Section of highway where road users are redirected out of their normal path – Usually involve strategic use of tapers. Module 4 Taper • When emergency responders use signs, cones, flares, or blocking vehicles to direct approaching traffic from the normal traffic lanes into a fewer number of open lanes • Executed within the Transition Area of an incident scene Module 4 Taper Module 4 Picture: Safe Parking…While Operating In or Near Moving Traffic, Texas FD Activity Area • Section of the highway where the work activity takes place • Comprises the Work Area, the Traffic Space and the Buffer Space Module 4 Work Area • Section of highway closed to road users and set aside for responders (workers), equipment, and material • Usually delineated for road users by channelizing devices Module 4 Work Area Module 4 Picture: Danger on I-95 – South Florida Sun-Sentinel.com Traffic Space • Section of highway in which road users are routed through the activity area Module 4 Buffer Space • The area that separates road user flow from the work space or an unsafe area • Provides some recovery space for an errant vehicle Module 4 Incident Responders Responders arriving at a traffic incident within 15 minutes of arrival on-scene should: – Estimate the magnitude of the traffic incident – Predict time duration of the traffic incident – Estimate vehicle queue length – Set up the appropriate Temporary Traffic Control for these estimates Module 4 Highway Safety Principles Module 4 Stopping Sight Distance • The distance traveled from the time a driver first detects the need to stop until the vehicle actually stops Perception /Reaction Braking Total Stopping Sight Distance Module 4 Perception/Reaction Distance • Distance traveled by a vehicle from the instant the driver sees an object to the instant the brakes are applied Module 4 What is the typical driver’s perception/reaction time value? • 0.5 seconds • • • • 1.0 seconds 1.5 seconds 2.5 seconds 4.0 seconds • Be prepared for drivers who do not react . . . Module 4 Braking Distance • Distance traveled by a vehicle from the instant the brakes lock up until the vehicle stops Speed (mph) Distance (ft) 60 346 65 405 70 470 75 540 Module 4 Source: AASHTO Green Book 2001 Total Stopping Sight Distance (based on 2.5-sec Perception/Reaction Time) 60 Mph 65 Mph 70 Mph Note: Commercial vehicles require much longer distances. Module 4 Highway Safety Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Signaling Equipment Module 4 Personal Protective Equipment “PPE” • Section 6E.02 of the MUTCD – Requires that workers shall wear bright, highly visible clothing when working in or near moving traffic – Fire/rescue personnel, EMS crews, law enforcement officials, and even tow truck operators • PPE – General requirements Standard 29 CFR 1910.132 (OSHA) Module 4 ANSI/ISEA Public Safety Vest Requirements Background Material Minimum 450 in2 Retroreflective/CombinedPerformance Material Minimum Width 1.97 in Minimum Area 201 in2 Vest Class II The Vest shall have contiguous areas of retroreflective or combinedperformance material encircling the torso – placed in a manner to provide 3600 visibility ANSI 207-2006 Standard Module 4 Source: Emergency Responder Safety Institute Highway Safety Vests Vest Class III • All incident responders shall comply with this provision no later than November 24, 2008. Module 4 Source: Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 226 / Rules and Regulations Part 634 – Worker Visibility Sec. 634.4 Question? Visibility of Pedestrian at Night • At night – how far away can a driver see you? Low Beams and Dark Clothing Average Detection Distance Low Beams and White Clothing Low Beams and ANSI Vest II or III Module 4 Source: ANSI/ISEA 107-1999 MADE EASY. A Quick Reference to High-Visibility Safety Apparel Traffic Control Devices Module 4 Traffic Control Devices • To promote highway safety by providing for the orderly and predictable movement of all traffic and to provide guidance and warning as needed • Examples: – – – – Signs Channelizing devices Lighting devices Shadow vehicles Module 4 Warning Signs • Warning signs are used to give notice of an unexpected condition or a condition that may be potentially hazardous to traffic. Module 4 Picture: KTC, Emergency Traffic Control for Responders-Training Examples of TIM Area Signs Module 4 Source: MUTCD 2003 Chapter 6 Figure 6I-1 Warning Signs - Placement • Right- or left-hand side of roadway • As near to the edge of the road as possible, but no closer than 2 feet • Right angles, facing traffic • No obstructions • In advance of hills and curves Module 4 Incorrect Placement Module 4 Source: Emergency Traffic Accommodation – A Guide for First Responders Correct Placement Module 4 Source: Emergency Traffic Accommodation – A Guide for First Responders Incorrect Placement Correct Placement Module 4 Source: Emergency Traffic Accommodation – A Guide for First Responders Channelizing Devices • Their function is to warn road users of conditions created by work activities in or near the roadway and to guide road users • Channelizing devices include: – – – – – – cones tubular markers vertical panels drums barricades temporary raised islands Module 4 Traffic Control Devices • Florida Design Standard, Series 600 requirements: – FDOT approved number shall be engraved on the device – Traffic control devices must be on the Qualified Product List Module 4 Cones • Cones shall be predominantly orange • Shall be made of a material that can be struck without causing damage to the impacting vehicle Module 4 Cones • One solution to carrying 28-inch traffic cones within the limited storage space on most responders vehicles is the “collapsible” cones. • Four 28-inch tall Pop-UpR cones only occupy a 12inch-high stack when stored. Module 4 Picture: Safe Parking…While Operating In or Near Moving Traffic, Texas FD Flares • Work well at night to warn motorists of lane changes and merges due to the bright red light they emit as they burn • The visibility of traffic cones can be increased under night conditions by deploying flares and cones together Module 4 Flares When flares are placed near a traffic cone, the light given off by the flare not only warns upstream traffic but illuminates the cone as well Module 4 Flashlights Specially-designed orange cones that fit over the end of a flashlight to improve their usefulness for traffic control. Module 4 Emergency-Vehicle Light • Essential in the initial stages of a traffic incident • Provide safety to emergency responders and persons involved in the traffic incident, as well as road users approaching the traffic incident • Example: – high-intensity rotating, flashing, oscillating or strobe lights Module 4 Emergency-Vehicle Light • In multi-lane freeways – Recommended to “shed” or turn off all forwardfacing emergency lighting that affect traffic in the oncoming lanes – To reduce rubbernecking and prevents secondary crashes Module 4 Minimize Lights • Avoid glare to motorists • Turn off unnecessary lights – Emergency vehicle lighting: • Provides warning only and provides no effective traffic control • Can be confusing and distracting to drivers • Use amber instead of red Module 4 INCORRECT CORRECT Module 4 Picture: USFA, Traffic Incident Management System Arrow Panels • Provide additional warning and directional information to assist in merging and controlling road users through or around a Temporary Traffic Control zone Module 4 Arrow Panels • Nighttime use – When advance warning arrow panels are used, the intensity of the flasher shall be reduced • Location – For lane closures on multi-lane roadways, an arrow panel should be located on the shoulder at the beginning of the taper Module 4 Module 4 Pictures: FDOT Road Rangers Basic Training Module 4 Source: MUTCD 2003 Chapter 6 Figure 6I-1 Shadow Vehicles • Shadow Vehicles – Trucks or trailers that are used to protect workers or work equipment from errant vehicles • Heavy Vehicle – 33,000 GVWR or greater, loaded at least 20,000 pounds (tanker truck) Module 4 Shadow Vehicle • Once parked, it becomes a traffic control device (TCD) placed as an element of the TCZ using the MUTCD as a guide. It is: – spotted parallel with traffic 100 to 250 ft upstream from the work area depending upon the speed limit, with wheels cut toward the shoulder – not involved in incident mitigation efforts and not occupied by people!!! Module 4 Work Area (Incident Area) Shadow Vehicle If Available Module 4 END Question or Comments Module 4