Office of Operations
21st Century Operations Using 21st Century Technologies

TRAFFIC INCIDENT MANAGEMENT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

4.0 COMMON TIM RESOURCES, FUNCTIONS, AND COSTS

To transition from these hypothetical examples of potential traffic incident management (TIM) resource management improvements (achieved through the use of appropriate personnel, equipment, and technology) to practical, measurable evidence of cost savings, a clear understanding of the common TIM resources, and their respective functions and costs, is required.

Information regarding common TIM resources, functions, and costs was gathered in two distinct stages. First, a comprehensive list (i.e., inventory) of common TIM personnel, equipment/technology, and supplies/materials resources and their functions was assimilated based on information:

  1. Contained in existing incident and emergency management databases,
  2. Published in formal TIM documents, and
  3. Provided by the National Incident Management System (NIMS), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and others.

Second, estimated costs for select TIM personnel, equipment/technology, and supplies/materials resources were gathered as part of a broader Incident Scenario Survey (described in more detail in Chapter 5. Potential Efficiency Improvements and Associated Cost Savings). Cost information was limited to those TIM resources utilized in response to an intermediate level incident occurring on a limited-access, high-speed roadway; involving three vehicles blocking two lanes; with a minor gasoline leak and entrapped driver. Various law enforcement, fire and rescue, emergency medical services, and transportation personnel from eight different highly developed and developing TIM program jurisdictions provided the cost information.

Personnel

Personnel resources generally comprise operations and supervisory personnel, with various noted specializations. Table 2 summarizes common TIM personnel resources, their functions, and select costs.

Table 2. Common TIM Personnel Resources, Costs, and Functions

Supplies/Materials

Estimated Cost

Scene Protection

Traffic Control

Medical Care

Firefighting/ Extrication

Response Mobilization

Fuel Leak Mitigation

Crash Investigation

VMS/HAR Messages

Traffic Signal Control

Public/Media Information

Vehicle Removal

Cleanup

Documentation

Range

Mean

Law Enforcement

First Aid Supplies

$8

$8

No Value No Value

X

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

Emergency Blanket

No Value No Value No Value No Value

X

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

Fire Extinguisher

$50

$50

No Value No Value No Value

X

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

Flare/Fusee

$20-40

$30

X

X

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

Spray Paint

$3-5

$4

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

X

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

X

Film

$6

$6

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

X

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

X

Fire and Rescue

First Aid Supplies

$9-100

$54.50

No Value No Value

X

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

Emergency Blanket

No Value No Value No Value No Value

X

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

Fire Extinguisher

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

X

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

Flare/Fusee

No Value No Value

X

X

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

Absorbent Material/Pad

$40-50

$47.50

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

X

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

X

No Value

Plugs/Plug Material

$25-80

$52.50

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

X

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

X

No Value

Containment Boom

$66

$66

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

X

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

X

No Value

Emergency Medical

First Aid Supplies

$40-250

$145

No Value No Value

X

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

Emergency Blanket

No Value No Value No Value No Value

X

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

Transportation

First Aid Supplies

No Value No Value No Value No Value

X

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

Emergency Blanket

No Value No Value No Value No Value

X

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

Fire Extinguisher

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

X

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

Flare/Fusee

No Value No Value

X

X

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

Absorbent Material/Pad

$2-20

$11

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

X

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

X

No Value

Plugs/Plug Material

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

X

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

X

No Value

Containment Boom

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

X

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

X

No Value

Spray Paint

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

X

L = Limited capacity, support role F = Full capacity, lead role

Resources by Agency

Public safety agencies—including law enforcement, fire and rescue, and emergency medical services—provide a structured rank of personnel ranging from the operations to supervisory levels with generally increasing monetary compensation increments. This structured rank suggests a breadth in training and capabilities across all personnel levels (i.e., supervisory rank personnel are trained in and capable of performing operational level duties). Transportation personnel ranks are less evident; with several observed specialized positions (i.e., traffic signal operator, TMC operator) whose personnel may or may not be able to perform duties outside of their area of expertise.

Monetary compensation is generally higher for law enforcement, fire and rescue, and emergency medical services personnel. Based on the information received from the Incident Scenario Survey, law enforcement operations personnel earn from $26.75 per hour at the trooper/officer level to $27.50 per hour at the sergeant level, on average. Fire and rescue operations personnel earn from $27.50 per hour at the driver/engineer level to $31.69 per hour at the firefighter level, on average. Emergency medical services (EMS) operations personnel earn from $30.00 per hour at the emergency medical technician (EMT)-basic level to $39.63 per hour at the EMT-paramedic level, on average. Supervisory positions in each of these agencies have higher monetary compensations; up to $29.75 per hour for a law enforcement lieutenant, up to $42.00 per hour for a fire and rescue battalion chief, and up to $53.54 per hour for an EMS captain, on average. Transportation operations personnel that respond on-scene typically earn from $18.00 per hour at the lead worker/technician level to $24.50 per hour at the service patrol operator level, on average. Specialized transportation operations personnel were reported to earn higher monetary compensations; up to $30.00 per hour for a TMC operator.

Law enforcement and transportation personnel have the greatest breadth of duties across common TIM functional areas. Law enforcement personnel often lead efforts to protect the scene, close lanes and provide temporary traffic control, mobilize additional response (i.e., towing and recovery), investigate the crash, remove the vehicle and clean up any remaining debris, and document the incident. Law enforcement personnel are also capable of providing initial medical care to injured persons, putting out small fires, modifying vicinity traffic signal timings to better accommodate rerouted traffic, and providing traveler information via messages posted on variable message signs (VMS) or through media contacts. Transportation personnel have a similar breadth in duties, acting in the same or different capacities as law enforcement (i.e., leading the effort or providing a support role). Fire and rescue and EMS personnel are more focused in the duties that they perform. Fire and rescue personnel often lead efforts to protect the scene, fight fires and extricate entrapped victims, and respond to hazardous and non-hazardous material spills while EMS personnel focus almost exclusively on providing medical care to injured persons.

Resources by Function

As noted previously, commonalities in responder competencies, identified by the National Traffic Incident Management Coalition and observed in practice, suggests that responders from multiple disciplines are trained, to some extent, to perform a particular function. Table 2 summarizes this phenomenon. With the exception of crash investigation, each of the common TIM functional areas can be performed by personnel from multiple agencies, with varying degrees of efficiency and effectiveness. Personnel from each agency are capable of providing scene protection, initial medical care, and documentation. With the exception of EMS personnel, personnel from each agency are capable of providing temporary traffic control, limited firefighting, and cleanup. Transportation and law enforcement personnel are each capable of mobilizing extra response, providing traveler information via VMS or through media contacts, modifying traffic signal timings, and removing the vehicle from the roadway. Fire and rescue and transportation personnel are each capable of mitigating minor vehicle fluid leaks.

Equipment and Technology

Equipment and technology resources generally comprise vehicles, appurtenances, and stand-alone devices that support TIM functions. Table 3 summarizes common TIM equipment and technology resources, their functions, and select costs.

Table 3. Common TIM Equipment and Technology Resources, Costs, and Functions

Equipment/Technology

Estimated Cost

Service Life

Scene Protection

Traffic Control

Medical Care

Firefighting/Extrication

Response Mobilization

Fuel Leak Mitigation

Crash Investigation

VMS/HAR Messages

Traffic Signal Control

Public/Media Information

Vehicle Removal

Cleanup

Documentation

Range

Mean

Range

Mean

Law Enforcement

Motorcycle

$25,000

$25,000

4

4

No Value

X

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

Cruiser with Light Bar/Push Bumper

$30-48,000

$41,400

3-7

4.2

X

X

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

X

No Value No Value

Light-Duty Pickup/SUV

No Value No Value No Value No Value

X

X

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

X

No Value No Value

Portable Laser Warning System

No Value No Value No Value No Value

X

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

Physical Incident Screen

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

X

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

VMS/HAR

No Value No Value No Value No Value

X

X

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

X

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

Traffic Cones/Signs

$100

$100

20

20

X

X

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

Laptop Computer

$1,500

$1,500

3

3

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

X

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

X

Total Station Surveying Equipment

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

X

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

X

Perspective Grid Investigation System

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

X

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

X

Other Crash Investigation System

$3,000

$3,000

5

5

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

X

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

X

Tape Measure

$80

$80

10

10

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

X

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

X

Camera/Video

$5,000

$5,000

10

10

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

X

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

X

Broom/Blower

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

X

No Value

Fire and Rescue

Light-Duty Pickup/SUV

$50,000

$50,000

5-8

6.5

X

X

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

Truck

$400-600,000

$500,000

7-10

8.5

X

X

No Value

X

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

Engine

$350-500,000

$450,000

7-20

14.5

X

X

No Value

X

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

Tanker

No Value No Value No Value No Value

X

X

No Value

X

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

Rescue Vehicle

$350-800,000

$550,000

7-20

16.2

X

X

X

X

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

HAZMAT Vehicle

$650,000

$650,000

15

15

X

X

No Value

X

No Value

X

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

X

No Value

Quintuple Pumper

$650,000

$650,000

10

10

X

X

No Value

X

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

EMS Kit

$10,000

$10,000

NA

NA

No Value No Value

X

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

Hydraulic Tools

$18,000

$18,000

NA

NA

No Value No Value No Value

X

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

Hand Tools

$250

$250

NA

NA

No Value

No Value

No Value

No Value

No Value

X

No Value

No Value

No Value

No Value

No Value

X

No Value

Traffic Cones/Signs

No Value

No Value No Value No Value

X

X

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

Emergency Medical

Non-transporting Vehicle

$50-75,000

$56,250

5

5

X

No Value

X

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

Type I Ambulance (Pickup Chassis)

$200-300,000

$237,500

7-10

9

No Value No Value

X

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

Type II Ambulance (Vanbulance)

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

X

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

Type III Ambulance (Van Chassis)

$140,000

$140,000

8

8

No Value No Value

X

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

Medevac

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

X

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

Transportation

Pickup with Arrow Board/Push Bumper

$20-50,000

$35,240

3-10

5.2

X

X

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

X

No Value No Value

Fully-equipped Service Patrol Vehicle

$75,000

$75,000

4

4

X

X

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

X

No Value No Value

Tow Truck

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

X

No Value No Value

Backhoe/Front End Loader

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

X

No Value

Dump Truck

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

X

No Value

Empty Box/Livestock Trailer

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

X

No Value

Empty Tanker Truck

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

X

No Value

Sweeper/Blower

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

X

No Value

Physical Incident Screen

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

X

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

VMS/HAR

No Value No Value No Value No Value

X

X

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

X

No Value

X

No Value No Value No Value

Traffic Cones/Signs

No Value No Value No Value No Value

X

X

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

Broom/Blower

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

X

No Value

Responsive Traffic Signal Systems

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

X

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

X

No Value No Value No Value No Value

TMC

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

X

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

X

X

X

No Value No Value

X

Resources by Agency

Law enforcement vehicles used for TIM most commonly include cruisers equipped with a light bar and push bumper, although motorcycles may also be used to enhance access to the scene when traffic is queued. These vehicles generally provide scene protection and support traffic control. Accompanying equipment, carried in the cruisers or an alternate vehicle, generally supports temporary traffic control (i.e., traffic cones/signs, VMS), crash investigation and documentation (i.e., crash investigation systems, tape measure, camera/video), and removal of debris (i.e., broom/blower).

Fire and rescue agencies typically operate heavy-duty, specially designed vehicles (i.e., fire trucks, engines, tankers, rescue vehicles, hazardous material response vehicles, etc.) that support unique firefighting/extrication and hazardous material spill response duties. Depending on their particular function, these vehicles may be equipped with EMS kits to support advanced medical care to injured persons or hydraulic extrication tools. Most vehicles carry traffic cones/signs and hand tools (i.e., shovels, picks) to support initial traffic control and spill mitigation through diking/berming, respectively. EMS agencies also operate specially-designed and fully-equipped vehicles (i.e., ambulances) that support initial and advanced medical care and transport for injured persons.

Transportation agencies most commonly operate commercially available medium or heavy duty pickup trucks that are retrofitted with additional features, including push bumpers and arrow boards, and equipped with traffic cones/signs and hand tools (i.e., broom, shovel) to support debris removal. If dedicated to provide motorist assistance, these vehicles may carry mechanics tools, gasoline, water, etc. Transportation agencies also have access to a variety of heavy-duty equipment used to support maintenance and construction activities, including backhoes and front end loaders, dump and tanker trucks, box trailers, sweepers, etc. This equipment can be used to support large-scale debris cleanup efforts. Off-site, responsive traffic signal systems or a TMC may support efforts to facilitate traffic flow around the incident scene.

Resources by Function

Fewer commonalities in equipment function are observed between the various TIM response agencies. Certain fire and rescue vehicles are equipped to provide advanced medical care, similar to EMS vehicles. Both law enforcement and transportation vehicles are often equipped with push bumpers for quickly removing vehicles from the travel lanes or shoulder. Additionally, law enforcement, fire and rescue, and transportation agencies commonly carry various hand tools in their vehicles to support debris removal and cleanup. The most pronounced commonality is the use of each agency’s vehicles for scene protection. Varying levels of cost may be incurred if these response vehicles (used for scene protection) are struck by an approaching vehicle. In generally decreasing order, average replacement costs for: fire and rescue vehicles range from $50,000 to $650,000 (average service life of 6.5 to 16.2 years); EMS vehicles are $50,000 (average service life of 5 years); law enforcement vehicles are $41,400 (average service life of 4.2 years); and transportation vehicles range from $35,240 to $75,000 (average service life of 4 to 5.2 years).

Supplies and Materials

Expendable TIM supplies and materials resources, their functions, and select costs are summarized in Table 4.

Table 4. Common TIM Supplies and Materials Resources, Costs, and Functions

Supplies/Materials

Estimated Cost

Scene Protection

Traffic Control

Medical Care

Firefighting/ Extrication

Response Mobilization

Fuel Leak Mitigation

Crash Investigation

VMS/HAR Messages

Traffic Signal Control

Public/Media Information

Vehicle Removal

Cleanup

Documentation

Range

Mean

Law Enforcement

First Aid Supplies

$8

$8

No Value No Value

X

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

Emergency Blanket

No Value No Value No Value No Value

X

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

Fire Extinguisher

$50

$50

No Value No Value No Value

X

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

Flare/Fusee

$20-40

$30

X

X

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

Spray Paint

$3-5

$4

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

X

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

X

Film

$6

$6

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

X

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

X

Fire and Rescue

First Aid Supplies

$9-100

$54.50

No Value No Value

X

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

Emergency Blanket

No Value No Value No Value No Value

X

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

Fire Extinguisher

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

X

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

Flare/Fusee

No Value No Value

X

X

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

Absorbent Material/Pad

$40-50

$47.50

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

X

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

X

No Value

Plugs/Plug Material

$25-80

$52.50

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

X

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

X

No Value

Containment Boom

$66

$66

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

X

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

X

No Value

Emergency Medical

First Aid Supplies

$40-250

$145

No Value No Value

X

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

Emergency Blanket

No Value No Value No Value No Value

X

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

Transportation

First Aid Supplies

No Value No Value No Value No Value

X

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

Emergency Blanket

No Value No Value No Value No Value

X

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

Fire Extinguisher

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

X

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

Flare/Fusee

No Value No Value

X

X

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

Absorbent Material/Pad

$2-20

$11

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

X

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

X

No Value

Plugs/Plug Material

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

X

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

X

No Value

Containment Boom

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

X

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

X

No Value

Spray Paint

No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value No Value

X

Resources by Agency

The expendable supplies and materials utilized by each agency mimic their TIM functional duties. Law enforcement personnel commonly carry first aid supplies to support initial medical care, fire extinguishers to support minor fire control, and flares/fusees to support temporary traffic control. Additionally, law enforcement personnel carry spray paint and film to support crash investigation and documentation. Fire and rescue personnel also carry first aid supplies, fire extinguishers, and flares/fusees, but also carry absorbent material/pad, plugs/plug material, and containment booms to support efforts to mitigate small vehicle fluid spills. Based on their singular focus on providing medical care, emergency medical services carry a greater selection and quantity of first aid supplies. Similar to fire and rescue personnel, transportation personnel carry first aid supplies, fire extinguishers, and flares/fusees, but also carry absorbent material/pad, plugs/plug material, and containment booms to support mitigation of small vehicle fluid spills.

Resources by Function

Similar to the commonalities observed for agency personnel and equipment across various TIM functional areas, some duplication exists in the expendable supplies and materials utilized. Law enforcement, fire and rescue, and transportation personnel each carry first aid supplies to support initial medical care; fire extinguishers to support minor fire control; and flares/fusees to support temporary traffic control. Emergency medical agencies also carry first aid supplies. Fire and rescue and transportation personnel each carry absorbent material/pad, plugs/plug material, and containment booms to support efforts to mitigate small vehicle fluid spills. Law enforcement and transportation personnel each carry spray paint to support documentation efforts.