Responders play a key roleResponders play a key role

SW Florida TIMSW Florida TIMTeamsTeams

ReducingReducing

SecondarySecondaryCrashesCrashes

By Arland (Ted) Smith

Nationwide 20% of interstate Nationwide 20% of interstate crashes are secondary incidentscrashes are secondary incidents

Consider Consider

That secondary incidents statistically That secondary incidents statistically are more severe than the initial eventare more severe than the initial event

All to often secondary crashes involve All to often secondary crashes involve incident respondersincident responders

There is a growing likelihood that There is a growing likelihood that response agencies will be included in response agencies will be included in law suits after a major secondarylaw suits after a major secondary

That TIM best practices are effective That TIM best practices are effective

Recent examplesRecent examples

Arbitration panel orders Arbitration panel orders MoDOTMoDOT to pay $1.3 to pay $1.3 million for failing to provide warning of a million for failing to provide warning of a previous crashprevious crash

Fatal crash on I-75 during ‘rolling road block’ Fatal crash on I-75 during ‘rolling road block’ with no warning highlighted recently in with no warning highlighted recently in NY NY TimesTimes. Ten injured two dead . Ten injured two dead

Seven die in Seven die in FL TurnpikeFL Turnpike secondary crash secondary crash involving Fire Rescue and Sheriff’s vehicleinvolving Fire Rescue and Sheriff’s vehicle

The original event was not even in the The original event was not even in the roadway, however responders parked in the roadway, however responders parked in the

right travel lane in a fog bankright travel lane in a fog bank

FortunatelyFortunately no responders injured or no responders injured or killedkilled

At a traffic incident, who is responsible At a traffic incident, who is responsible for Temporary Traffic Control which for Temporary Traffic Control which

includes advanced warning to includes advanced warning to unsuspecting highway users?unsuspecting highway users?

ANSWERANSWER

All responders to highway incidentsAll responders to highway incidents

Fire-RescueFire-Rescue Law enforcementLaw enforcement Asset management contractors or State DOT Asset management contractors or State DOT Traffic incident response patrolsTraffic incident response patrols Local Highway or street departments Local Highway or street departments Private contractors, Spill clean-up andPrivate contractors, Spill clean-up and Towing and recovery operationsTowing and recovery operations

Many Traffic Incident Responders are unaware that they are specifically charged with the responsibility of

“Protecting highway users by warning them and guiding them past the incident scene safely”

Per US DOTFederal Highway Administration

Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices MUTCD

High Liability Potential for High Liability Potential for RespondersResponders

Failure to WarnFailure to Warn

Failure to ActFailure to Act

Failure to ProtectFailure to Protect

Gross NegligenceGross Negligence

Deliberate IndifferenceDeliberate Indifference

Ask Yourself the Question:

“What would a reasonable person do to reduce the hazard?”

Fundamentals of Tort Fundamentals of Tort

LiabilityLiability The following four factors used to prove negligence:

A trial lawyer will methodically establish each…….

Was there? AA duty or standardduty or standard A breach of that dutyA breach of that duty An actual loss or harmAn actual loss or harm A connection between breachA connection between breach of duty and of duty and

resulting harmresulting harm

What practices contribute to What practices contribute to secondary crashes ?secondary crashes ?

Anything here that could lead to a Anything here that could lead to a secondary ?secondary ?

Witnesses allege this crash was Witnesses allege this crash was preceded by a fire truck responding in the preceded by a fire truck responding in the

opposite direction in poor visibilityopposite direction in poor visibility

Motorists can be confused or temporarily blindedMotorists can be confused or temporarily blinded

Secondary crashes can be avoidedSecondary crashes can be avoided

OKAYOKAY

What worksWhat works

‘‘15 Minute – Rule’15 Minute – Rule’Responders…”should within 15 minutes of their arrival, Responders…”should within 15 minutes of their arrival,

estimate”:estimate”:

1.1. The magnitude of the incident including lane blockageThe magnitude of the incident including lane blockage2.2. The expected duration (use levels)The expected duration (use levels)3.3. The expected ‘queue’ length (where advanced warning needs to be)The expected ‘queue’ length (where advanced warning needs to be)

They should provide, place or order the TTC for these estimates They should provide, place or order the TTC for these estimates

Use any devices readily on hand and order (request, procure) Use any devices readily on hand and order (request, procure) additional upgrades additional upgrades

Continue to monitor conditions at the scene Continue to monitor conditions at the scene (follow the 15 minute (follow the 15 minute rule)rule) look for opportunities to upgrade scene safety and control of look for opportunities to upgrade scene safety and control of traffictraffic

Remember simply repositioning emergency vehicles is an upgradeRemember simply repositioning emergency vehicles is an upgrade

Report changes in traffic flow (lane openings) to dispatch forReport changes in traffic flow (lane openings) to dispatch for dissemination to RTMC and motorists.dissemination to RTMC and motorists. Every 15 minutesEvery 15 minutes

Manually warning traffic before the Manually warning traffic before the queue, basic but very effectivequeue, basic but very effective

Advanced warningAdvanced warning Attention must be paid to the Attention must be paid to the

end of the queue, the location end of the queue, the location is dynamic, anticipate is dynamic, anticipate expansionexpansion

Warning must be given to Warning must be given to motorists approaching the motorists approaching the stopping trafficstopping traffic

The ‘second in’ responder The ‘second in’ responder could take this responsibilitycould take this responsibility

Request the RTMC to display Request the RTMC to display crash alert messages crash alert messages upstream on dynamic upstream on dynamic message signsmessage signs

Suggestion, start with these two signs:Suggestion, start with these two signs:If possible post on both sides of roadwayIf possible post on both sides of roadway

““Emergency scene ahead” Emergency scene ahead” andand ““Be prepared to stop”Be prepared to stop”

Placing signing upstream consider visibility, Placing signing upstream consider visibility, prevailing speed and sight distanceprevailing speed and sight distance

Is this the ideal location for this sign ?Is this the ideal location for this sign ?

Request TMC to post warnings on Request TMC to post warnings on Dynamic Message Signs (DMS)Dynamic Message Signs (DMS)

During the initial response, using apparatus to help protect the scene by

blocking one additional lane

is OKAYConsider now the value of quickly adding traffic

controls

Even basic cone placement enhances scene safety

ConesCones and flares and flares

Suggest 36” or 28” Traffic Cones, 4 per squad car Suggest 36” or 28” Traffic Cones, 4 per squad car and 10 per fire truck or tow truck*and 10 per fire truck or tow truck*

Carry some cones in every vehicle that responds Carry some cones in every vehicle that responds to highway incidents, number depends on space to highway incidents, number depends on space availableavailable

Flares can be used to set up initial lane closures Flares can be used to set up initial lane closures and for supplementing cones at nightand for supplementing cones at night

Remove flares completely from the roadwayRemove flares completely from the roadway

**MUTCD allows use of whatever is on handMUTCD allows use of whatever is on hand

Establish a well defined incident sceneEstablish a well defined incident sceneDeploy cones and follow good vehicle Deploy cones and follow good vehicle

placement fundamentalplacement fundamental

Vehicle PositioningVehicle Positioning

Many TIM Teams are developing SOG’s Many TIM Teams are developing SOG’s (Standard Operating Guidelines)(Standard Operating Guidelines)

Every incident is different, SOG is simply Every incident is different, SOG is simply that, ie. a guide. But it does provide basic that, ie. a guide. But it does provide basic or default plan for emergency vehicle or default plan for emergency vehicle parkingparking

Several examples to review, many TIM Several examples to review, many TIM teams putting these together teams putting these together

Vehicle PositionVehicle Position

DownstreamDownstream Tow VehicleTow Vehicle AmbulanceAmbulance

UpstreamUpstream Road Ranger/FDOTRoad Ranger/FDOT FHPFHP Fire TruckFire Truck

Note:Note: The upstream The upstream configuration can vary with configuration can vary with the resources on hand, the resources on hand, arrival order and the arrival order and the geometricsgeometrics

THINK! Before you park in the THINK! Before you park in the roadway with no advance warningroadway with no advance warning

Quick Clearance Best Practices can Quick Clearance Best Practices can limit exposure to secondary crasheslimit exposure to secondary crashes

Aggressive Relocation, Aggressive Relocation, of Truck Wrecksof Truck Wrecks

Multiple Agency QC Multiple Agency QC TrainingTraining

““Move-it” law mandateMove-it” law mandate

Investigations Investigations conducted using Time conducted using Time ManagementManagement

DOT/ Asset Mgt DOT/ Asset Mgt /Patroller Open Roads /Patroller Open Roads TrainingTraining

Unified Command Unified Command ProceduresProcedures

Positive Traffic ControlPositive Traffic Controlexpanded, critical role of a ‘flagger ’or traffic expanded, critical role of a ‘flagger ’or traffic

managermanager Always assign a person to this role upon arrivalAlways assign a person to this role upon arrival Train where to stand to be the most effectiveTrain where to stand to be the most effective Establish eye contact with driversEstablish eye contact with drivers

Three proven, positive or manual traffic Three proven, positive or manual traffic control benefits:control benefits:

1.1. Provides a dedicated team member watching and Provides a dedicated team member watching and facilitating traffic while being responsive to needs of facilitating traffic while being responsive to needs of on-scene personnelon-scene personnel

2.2. Can move significantly more traffic past the incident Can move significantly more traffic past the incident (limits rubbernecking) could be as much as 40%(limits rubbernecking) could be as much as 40%

3.3. Sends the right message individually to motorists Sends the right message individually to motorists caught in the queue, perception is now ‘they are doing caught in the queue, perception is now ‘they are doing the best they can to get me on my way”the best they can to get me on my way”

Emergency light useEmergency light use Evaluate current practicesEvaluate current practices Consider the confusion of approaching Consider the confusion of approaching

motoristsmotorists The moth to the flame theory, reality?The moth to the flame theory, reality? A flashing emergency light is not a traffic A flashing emergency light is not a traffic

control devicecontrol device The approaching traffic from the opposite The approaching traffic from the opposite

direction of travel, front facing flashers an direction of travel, front facing flashers an unwanted distractionunwanted distraction

Arrow boards recommended, fire apparatus, Arrow boards recommended, fire apparatus, highway agencies and tow trucks even highway agencies and tow trucks even squad cars. A great traffic control device!squad cars. A great traffic control device!

# 1 -- PICK

FOR RISK REDUCTION

Continue to look for opportunities to upgrade scene

traffic controls following the MUTCD Standards

USE THE “15 MINUTE RULE”

In reviewIn review

Limit exposure timeLimit exposure time Upgrade Traffic Upgrade Traffic

Controls earlyControls early Reposition Vehicles Reposition Vehicles

ASAPASAP Know the SOG’sKnow the SOG’s Combine resourcesCombine resources Preventing Preventing

Secondary Crashes Secondary Crashes a high priority for a high priority for everyone !everyone !

Common Sense Approach

Prior Warning Is Prevention

Thank YouThank You

Discussion welcomedDiscussion welcomed

Arland T. (Ted) SmithArland T. (Ted) Smith