Performance Analysis and ReportingįDOT calculates TIM performance measures for all incidents during a specified time period, which is a good starting point for understanding regional TIM performance at the highest level. FDOT notes that while the TMCs are quicker to identify incidents within their coverage areas than via WAZE, the use of WAZE has allowed FDOT to more quickly identify incidents outside of the coverage areas than without the data. Crowd-sourced information from Waze helps to identify incidents outside of TMC coverage areas, as well as to provide information on incident details and impacts (e.g., delays, queue lengths). Traffic Incident Management Performance Data Elements on Florida Highway Patrol Electronic Crash FormįDOT also has an agreement with WAZE to share incident information. The data elements circled in blue are some of those that are desired for conducting more disaggregate analyses of TIM performance (e.g., crash severity, vehicle information, roadway information).įigure 1. Data elements circled in red are those that are required to calculate the three national TIM performance measures, RCT, ICT, and secondary crashes. įigure 1 shows the performance data elements as seen in the FHP crash form. In addition, FHP had a champion within the agency who was able to gain buy-in, which helped support the effort. As such, there was little push-back from law enforcement on collecting the data. The addition of secondary crashes was contemporaneous with the new statewide crash report, which contained over 100 data elements. In 2013, a directive was released to verify that the check box was being used. Secondary crashes are recorded via a check box on the crash report, and management provided training and direction for its use. Like most law enforcement agencies in Florida, the FHP uses a mobile crash reporting application in the field to capture incident information electronically. Crashes reported by FHP account for approximately one-third of the crash reports statewide. In addition to the national performance measures, FDOT collects the necessary data elements and tracks a few additional performance measures, including response time and incident duration. This data includes the time stamps for calculating roadway clearance time (RCT) and incident clearance time (ICT), as well as whether a crash is a secondary crash. Since 2011, the FHP has led the collection of the data necessary for TIM performance measures through the Florida state crash report. In order to receive the RISC incentives, companies must meet certain equipment and training standards that are meant to help with the safe and quick clearance of incidents. RISC is an incentive-based heavy-duty towing and recovery program with the goal of clearing all major incidents in 90 minutes or less. Īnother important aspect of FDOT’s TIM program is the Rapid Incident Scene Clearance (RISC) program, which supports Florida’s Open Roads Policy to improve safety and mobility on Florida roads. The Road Ranger program is one of the most effective elements of Florida’s TIM Program. Road Rangers provide a direct service to motorists by quickly clearing minor incidents from travel lanes in close coordination with the FHP and other law enforcement agencies.

The Road Rangers program was initiated in 1983 to manage incidents in major construction zones however, the program has been expanded over the years to cover all types of incidents. Another integral part of the TIM team is the Florida Road Ranger service patrol. The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) is dedicated to supporting FDOT’s efforts through the practice of sound TIM principles and the collection of data to support performance measurement. In addition to other activities, the TIM teams review past response actions and explore ways that incident management can be improved on the highways they serve.įDOT has 13 regional traffic management centers (TMC), which are a key component of the TIM program operations and for the collection and reporting of TIM performance data. These teams consist of representatives from responder agencies, towing companies, and other contract service providers. There are active TIM teams in all seven of the FDOT districts, as well as the statewide turnpike enterprise. It is run by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and is organized by FDOT’s seven districts. The statewide TIM program in Florida was formalized in 2000.

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