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INFORMATION SHARING FOR TRAFFIC INCIDENT MANAGEMENT

Training and Debriefings

Training and debriefing sessions allow responders to share knowledge on practices and techniques and are, therefore, important aspects of developing and implementing TIM plans. Transportation and law enforcement agencies can partner with other incident responders to develop field exercises that allow responders to become familiar with various types of traffic incidents. TIM team meetings are an effective forum for such discussions as continuous improvement is a recurring theme at these meetings. TIM team members can gauge current TIM performance and then establish strategies for on scene operations, inter- and intra- agency protocols, communications, and outreach and training that meet and exceed performance expectations. As they learn from prior responses and one another, incident responders build relationships and trust that facilitate the refinement of incident response practices.

Improving Information Dissemination to the Public

Improving incident dissemination to the public helps to reduce the impact of incidents. Better information dissemination can facilitate this coordination and collaboration. Table 7, adapted from the Safe, Quick Clearance TIM in Construction and Maintenance Work Zones Primer, 17 provides several strategies and techniques that have been used to assist with information dissemination about incident response policies, procedures, and guidelines to the public.

Table 7. Strategies and Techniques for Information Dissemination to the Public 17


Strategies and Techniques

Description

Pros

Cons

Dynamic Message Signs

This strategy involves using permanent or movable dynamic message signs to provide motorists with information in advance of, or at, the scene of an incident.
  • Information provided directly to motorists affected by incident
  • Many locations will have devices as part of Transportation Management Plan (TMP)
  • Motorist familiar/expect to receive information from these devices
  • Message content restricted to a relatively few characters
  • Does not reach travelers outside immediate vicinity of sign
  • Cannot display complex messages

Highway Advisory Radio

This strategy involves using a low-powered AM or FM radio system to provide travelers in the immediate vicinity with information about incidents.
  • Allows operators to provide more detailed messages
  • Reaches a broader range of travelers in corridor
  • Drivers must tune to radio station to receive message
  • Requires signing to alert motorists that a message is available

Broadcast Radio and Television Media

This strategy involves developing agreements with broadcast radio and television stations to provide incident information in a pre-established format for a specified period of time.
  • Has potential to reach travelers before they enter corridor or begin trip
  • Can impact mode choice, routing, and departure time decisions
  • Accuracy of information being disseminated difficult to control
  • Media agreement to information format may be difficult to obtain

Traffic Reporting Service

This strategy involves utilizing traffic reporting services to disseminate traffic and travel information for incorporation in in-vehicle displays

  • Information can be tailored by traffic reporting service for specific users
  • Information can be integrated with in-vehicle travel information displays
  • Agency does not control/influence diversion route of traveler
  • Agency does not control accuracy of information being disseminated

Email /Fax Alerts or Mobile Web Site

This strategy involves deploying a system whereby incident alerts are automatically distributed through electronic means, such as emails, faxes, pages, etc.
  • Has potential to reach a wide distribution of travelers
  • Technology relatively easy to deploy
  • Users would need to subscribe to service
  • Many urban areas have systems already in place
  • Requires staff to manage system

Web Sites/ Kiosks

This strategy involves using Web sites and information kiosks in public areas to disseminate information about incidents
  • Has potential to reach travelers prior to initiating trip
  • Can impact mode choice, routing, and departure time decisions
  • Does not reach motorist already in area of incident
  • Requires integration with other systems

Dedicated Information Phone Number / 511 System

This strategy involves disseminating incident information through either a dedicated telephone call-in number or an existing 511 service.
  • 511 services available in many metropolitan areas
  • Has potential to reach travelers prior to initiating trip as well as drivers who have already started trip
  • Dedicated telephone number requires operator to staff
  • Requires driver to initiate call to obtain information