Traffic Control for Emergency Responders

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study is to develop a training course to guide emergency responders while controlling traffic during a roadway crash and subsequent clearance. BACKGROUND: Emergency responders, with the exception of law enforcement, are provided limited or no training in traffic control but yet by nature of their job often have to perform such duties. The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices contains guidelines for control of traffic through incident management areas that should be followed for the safety of responders and motorists. Chapter 61 addresses emergency road occurrences, natural disasters, or other unplanned events that disrupts traffic flow and identifies a specific color (black legend on fluorescent pink) for warning and guide signs used for temporary traffic control. Unfortunately, many responders are unaware of these guidelines. By developing this training, the safety of those responders working on-scene, as well as the traveling motorists near the scene, will be improved. A secondary benefit of providing training for incident responders will be the potential for improved traffic flow and decreased delay resulting from highway crashes and other incidents. FY 2006 ACCOMPLISHMENTS: A literature search was performed and reference materials related to temporary or incident traffic control was reviewed. Selected sources of incident traffic control materials were obtained and incorporated into a presentation for a pilot training workshop and handbook. Specific efforts were made to insure that the guidelines for traffic control are consistent with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. Deliverables from the study efforts included a pilot workshop presented to the Study Advisory Committee, and a draft handbook titled "Guidelines for Emergency Traffic Control". FY 2007 PROPOSED WORK: Input from the Study Advisory Committee will be incorporated into the workshop training materials and delivered in a form suitable for the target audience. Efforts will be made to insure that the workshop materials and presentation are appropriate for use in training a wide range of incident responders. Supplemental materials will be developed in a train-the-trainer form. The handbook will be finalized and printed. A report will be prepared to document the workshop materials and handbook contents. PROJECTED COST THROUGH FY 2006: PROGRAMMED COST FY 2007: TOTAL ESTIMATED COST: $80,000 $10,000 $90,000