Metro Atlanta TrafficIncident Management

“Strategic Vision Update”

Presented byMarvin Woodward

TIME Quarterly Meeting January 23, 2007

Top Five Priority Initiatives

1. Open Roads Policy

2. Incentives for Heavy Duty Recovery

3. Towing Certification and Training for Tow Operators

4. Medical Examiner/Coroner MOUs*

5. TIM Teams

Priority Initiatives

Open Roads Policies (State and Local)

Critical statement of senior management in support of quick clearance

Signed and supported by state, local and regional leadership

Wide distribution and awareness training

Incentives for quick Clearance - TRIP

Assures prompt predictable response and 24/7 equipment availability

Contains detailed specification for modern powerful 50 ton recovery wreckers with full equipment sets

Requires support equipment like end loader, sweeper/skid steer and MUTCD traffic control devices

Incentives for Quick Clearance (cont)

Includes training and certification standards for operator competency including MUTCD traffic control

Cash incentives paid for “Quick Clearance” of travel lanes

Liquidated damages assessed for poor performance or delay in opening travel lanes

Training and Certification for Tow Operators

Formal training for tow operators including MUTCD traffic controls and quick clearance

Certification based on National Driver’s Certification Program (TRAA)

Working with Towing and Recovery Association of Georgia (TRAG)

Medical Examiner/Coroner MOU

Favorable support for authorizing movement of deceased to open roads

Meetings have already been held

Formalize agreement in Open Roads Policy

Traffic Incident Management Teams

Dramatically improve coordination and communications in the two existing Teams

Region needs 15-17 additional teams throughout the 13-County Region

Full-time support staff will be needed for implementation

Legislative and Administrative Initiatives

Liability exemption for quick clearance

Vehicle disposal for towing industry

Ensured payment for environmental cleanup

Axle weights limits for recovery vehicles

Towing and Recovery Incentive Program (TRIP)

Project Team: TRIP Working Group Georgia Regional Transportation Authority

– Marvin Woodward (PM)– Gena Wilder

GDOT– Gary Millsaps (HERO)– Erik Fischer (TMC)

Delcan, Consultant Team– Christine Macaulay (PM)– John O’Laughlin– Ted Smith

WorkingGroup

Steering Committee

Stakeholders

Project Team: Steering Committee

Atlanta Police Dept

Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC)

Coroner’s Association

FHWA

GDOT

Georgia Motor Trucking Assoc (GMTA)

Georgia State Firefighter's Association Inc.

Georgia State Patrol (GSP)

Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS)

Georgia Regional Transportation Agency (GRTA)

Towing and Recovery Association of Georgia (TRAG)

WorkingGroup

Steering Committee

Stakeholders

Project Team: Stakeholders

All Emergency Response Agencies effected by this program.

WorkingGroup

Steering Committee

Stakeholders

TRIP Project Overview

Component Of Strategic Vision

Pay Heavy-Duty Recovery Companies a Bonus For Clearing Commercial Vehicle Wrecks Quickly.

First Program On Non-Toll Facility

High Profile, Some Risk, Great Payoff

TRIP Project Objectives

Improve Traffic Incident Management in the Region

Facilitate Quick Clearance

Improve Towing Procedures

Ensure Safety

TRIP Program Development

Performance Measures– Reduction in Response Times– Improvement in Roadway Clearance

Times– Reduction in Travel Lane Blockage– Reduction in Secondary Incidents– Overall Reduction in Hours of Delay– Dollar Savings from Reduced Congestion

Project Boundaries– I-285 and all Interstates and Freeways

inside I-285

TRIP Program Development

Program Criteria– Truck Tractor Semi-Trailer Combo

(Class 8)– Trucks > 26,000 lbs (Class 7 or 8)– Large Motor Homes & Motor Coaches

(Class 5 or 6)– Busses ≥ 16 passengers (Class 6, 7,

or 8)– Aircrafts

TRIP Program Development

Atlanta-area Heavy Duty Wrecker Inventory– Tow Yards and Equipment– Training Records and Certifications– Quick Clearance Strategies– Payment of Services– Billing Systems– Level of Interest

TRIP Final Program

Truck and Equipment Specifications

Training and Certification Requirements

Incentive Rates and Penalties

Concept of Operations for GDOT– Activation authority, time tracking, etc.

Incentive approval and penalty procedures

Application Process and Form

TRIP Program Implementation

On-site Inspections– Equipment– Training

TRIP Training Program

Program Demo

TRIP Steering Committee Responsibilities

Stakeholder Workshop– Tentatively February 20, 2007– Location: TBD– Steering Committee Participation in

Presentations and/or Discussions

Agency Outreach – Help Spread the Word!– Put TRIP Program on your meeting

agendas (or other interested agencies)

TRIP Schedule

Project Schedule– February: Stakeholder Workshop– Late March: Draft Program Review– April: Steering Committee Quarterly

Meeting– May: Final Program Review– June-November: Towing inspections &

certifications, stakeholder outreach, training– July: Steering Committee Quarterly

Meeting– November: Program Demo & Kick-Off!

CONCLUSION

Implementation of these strategic initiatives will improve responder and motorist safety as well as increase traffic mobility

Your support is vital to the success of this program

Much work to do!!!!!

Thank you!

Comments or Questions