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ITE Traffic Incident
Management E-mail Discussion Group Digest #12
July 12 to July 22, 1999
This digest contains the following messages:
#11. TIM:
I*Using ITS to Improve Incident Management - from
Corbin, John
#14. TIM: A*PORTABLE CCTV - from
Corbin, John
#16. TIM: I*TOC LEADERSHIP ISSUES WEBCAST: 7/22 TODAY!
- from Wilks, Tobasha
#17. ITE TIM Conference Calls - from
Wilks, Tobasha
Disclaimer: Topics
that do not pertain to Traffic Incident Management have been omitted from
the discussion group digests to save the reader time when reviewing
messages, and to save space on the web server. See
Discussion Group Etiquette for examples of
other reasons a message may have been omitted from a digest.
-------------------- 11 --------------------
#11. TIM: I*Using ITS to Improve Incident Management
- from Corbin, John
Top
Date: Mon, 12 Jul 1999 13:46:11 -0500
From: "Corbin, John" <john.corbin@dot.state.wi.us>
Subject: TIM: I*Using ITS to Improve Incident Management
-----Original Message-----
From: I95BERNIEW@aol.com [mailto:I95BERNIEW@aol.com]
Sent: Thursday, July 08, 1999 4:48 pm
To: transport-communications@egroups.com
Subject: [transport-communications] Using ITS to Improve Incident
Management
The following comes from the ITS America Web site. It discusses how
four states are using ITS to improve incident management. Several of
the techniques mentioned involve the use of communications technologies to
improve the ability to detect incidents, respond to them, and coordinate
among agencies, as well as devices to communicate the information to the
public.
Georgia:
Georgia's statewide ITS, NAVIGATOR, has a profound impact on Incident
Management in Georgia. A recent benefits analysis reveals the value the
system provides to transportation officials, emergency response agencies
and the traveling public. The study, which analyzes the most integrated
elements of NAVIGATOR, including the Highway Emergency Response Operator
(HERO) unit, reveals a benefit to cost ratio of 2.3 to 1, and demonstrates
an average 23-minute reduction in the duration of an incident.
Combining video monitoring and detection, data management and
telecommunications technologies, NAVIGATOR is able to detect, verify and
quickly respond to highway incidents such as crashes, stalls or debris.
These abilities allow Georgia DOT and other area transportation officials
to almost instantaneously initiate a response plan and make crucial
decisions based on accurate, real-time information.
An essential part of the Incident Management program in Georgia is the
Department's Motor Vehicle Emergency Response (MoVER) team. Comprised of
senior Georgia DOT management officials, MoVER team members are advised of
incident locations and attributes. Once on scene, they assist other
officials in assessing the situation, establishing communications and
initiating incident clearance. MoVER members can dispatch departmental
maintenance and construction crews as needed according to the generated
response plan and the informed decisions made by officials.
The Georgia DOT HERO unit, fire, police and EMS agencies also benefit
from the system's real-time information. Operators monitoring roadway
incidents in the Georgia DOT's Transportation Management Center relay
timely and reliable information to patrolling HERO units, advising them of
incident locations and attributes. Equipped to handle anything from a flat
tire or stall to a hazardous material spill or serious crash, HEROs
assisted more than 33,000 motorists in 1998, with an average response time
of less than 10 minutes. HERO personnel also managed to help deliver two
babies on area interstates last year.
NAVIGATOR's ability to see what has happened, where it has happened,
almost when it has happened, ensures an efficient and effective response.
No longer are police, fire and EMS units dispatched to a motorist who
simply needs towing. Emergency response agencies are notified only as
necessary. This attribute, along with the HEROs' capabilities, contributed
to the average 23-minute reduction in the duration of an incident.
The traveling public also plays a part in the demonstrated reduction in
traffic congestion. Once NAVIGATOR detects, verifies and generates a
response plan, the information is immediately transmitted to the traveling
public via the system's 45 Changeable Message Signs (CMS), a Webster, a
cable television broadcast, statewide traveler information kiosks and a
free cellular telephone service. This flow of information gives travelers
timely information they need for making informed decisions to avoid
roadway congestion and delay. An example of the success of the system is
the Georgia-Navigator.com Web site, which recently received more than
330,000 page hits in one day.
Providing transportation officials, emergency response agencies, and the
traveling public with accurate, reliable real-time information, NAVIGATOR
was able to save the state more than $44.6 million in 1997. Based on
extremely conservative estimations, these savings are calculated for time
alone. The benefits analysis does not consider the benefits or savings in
fuel, maintenance or air quality however a more comprehensive study is
currently being planned.
New York:
NYSDOT has a HELP incident management patrol program. We estimate that the
benefit/cost ratio for the program exceeds 20:1. The program has produced
a tremendous favorable reaction from the public, who are pleased that
their tax dollars are being used to support a program that provides such
direct assistance to them in a time of real need.
Maryland:
The most recent huge success that we had with ITS was a pedestrian bridge
collapse which occurred on June 8, 1999, along I 695 (the Baltimore
Beltway) between exits 11 and 12 during the evening rush hour at
approximately 5pm, closing both loops of the beltway.
A truck hauling an over-height backhoe hits the pedestrian bridge over
the beltway bringing the section of the bridge over the inner loop down
onto oncoming traffic. The operators at the statewide operations center
see the bridge collapse on the Wilkins Ave. camera and immediately begin
notifying response personnel, and the media. Simultaneously they are
programming several Highway Advisory radio stations and Dynamic Messages
signs located in the Baltimore and Washington areas. Montgomery County
Traffic is alerted and they begin to broadcast the information on their
cable TV channel, and send their airplane to the scene to use the airborne
video capability to monitor the scene, diversion routes, and delays.
Transcom is also alerted and word of what has happened and diversion
routes are transmitted along the East Coast. The Maryland State Police
responded with their total station equipment almost immediately and began
to survey the site in record time. Portable Dynamic Message signs along
with static florescent yellow green sign are placed along the diversion
route to assist motorists in getting around the incident scene.
The resulting efforts leave us with virtually no delays on the
interstate system even where there are normally delays when nothing is
going on at this time of day. The only delays we did have were minor
delays along the diversion route on the local street network, allowing the
team to focus all their attention on the bridge collapse and the ensuing
cleanup. As a result the entire bridge is removed and cleaned up in 11.5
hours from start to finish, probably a new record and the roadway is back
to operating condition long before the morning rush hour.
This is a great example of the ITS technology working hand in hand
assisting the responders from all the agencies involved.
Washington:
ITS has played a big part in developing the Incident Management program in
the State of Washington. From the fixed Variable message signs, (VMS), to
the new partnering we have developed, ITS has assisted. The new technology
available has streamlined our operations. The Incident Response Teams, use
the different types of technology daily. From documentation with computer
software, to digital pictures, information is becoming more and more
readily available for evaluation.
Management of incident scenes is easier when the drivers of vehicles
understand what is happening. With the cooperation of the WSDOT and the
WSP, incident investigations have decreased while safety at the scene has
increased. With both agencies working together incident duration has been
reduced by 40%. ITS has opened lines of communication both audio and
visual with all types of agencies. As ITS grows so do the possibilities
for Incident Management.
Top
-------------------- 14 --------------------
#14. TIM: A*PORTABLE CCTV - from
Corbin, John
Top
Date: Tue, 13 Jul 1999 19:40:05 -0500
From: "Corbin, John" <john.corbin@dot.state.wi.us>
Subject: TIM: A*PORTABLE CCTV
-----Original Message-----
From: Forbis, Mike [mailto:ForbisM@wsdot.wa.gov]
Sent: Tuesday, July 13, 1999 10:45 am
To: 'john.corbin@dot.state.wi.us'
Cc: 'T. M. Kurihara'
Subject: RE: TIM: A*PORTABLE CCTV
We mounted a PTZ camera on two of our Incident Response Team trucks.
The cameras were JVC that were mounted on Molynx Pan-Tilt-Zoom units.
These units were driven by Active Imaging MV-1000 video capture units.
The communication is via Analog Cellular phone using Sierra Wireless
modems. That is the problem so far, the wireless links seem to quit
responding after several minutes. We connect via Windows NT RAS to
the units and use a Java based web browser for control. Active
Imaging is based in the UK. Our next move is to either fix the
cellular connection of switch to CDPC.
Michael Forbis, P.E.
WSDOT, NW Region HQ
P.O. Box 330310
15700 Dayton Avenue North
Seattle, WA 98133-9710
Phone: 206-440-4475
Fax: 206-440-4805
>----------
>From: T. M. Kurihara[SMTP:tkstds@mindspring.com]
>Sent: Tuesday, June 29, 1999 5:33 pm
>To: Forbis, Mike
>Cc: john.corbin@dot.state.wi.us
>Subject: Fwd: TIM: A*PORTABLE CCTV
>
>Mike: Can you provide some information for Jim Mona and John
Corbin?
>Thanks, \\tomK//
>
>>Date: Tue, 29 Jun 1999 17:29:16 -0700
>>From: ITE Traffic Incident Management <ITETIM@earthlink.net>
>>To: ITE Traffic Incident Management <ITETIM@earthlink.net>
>>Reply-To: ITE Traffic Incident Management <ITETIM@earthlink.net>
>>Subject: TIM: A*PORTABLE CCTV
>>X-Mailer: Internet Mail Service (5.5.2448.0)
>>
>>ITE Traffic Incident Management Discussion List Server
>>Web site: <www.trafficincident.org>
>>
>>Date: Tue, 29 Jun 1999 19:01:45 -0500
>>From: "Corbin, John" <john.corbin@dot.state.wi.us>
>>Subject: A*PORTABLE CCTV
>>
>>I was wondering if there is any information I can get regarding portable
>>cameras. It appears the feds have
>>shown some interest in operation center usage with portable
cameras to view
>>construction or incident areas. If there is anyone on the ITE committee
who
>>could comment and maybe share some thoughts good or bad I would really
>>appreciate it. Thanks
>>
>>Jim Mona
>>Connecticut DOT
>>I95JMona@aol.com
>>
>>(posted to reflector by John Corbin)
>>
>
Top
-------------------- 16 --------------------
#16. TIM: I*TOC LEADERSHIP ISSUES WEBCAST: 7/22
TODAY! - from
Wilks, Tobasha
Top
Date: Thu, 22 Jul 1999 08:54:47 -0500
From: "Wilks, Tobasha" <tobasha.wilks@dot.state.wi.us>
Subject: TIM: I*TOC LEADERSHIP ISSUES WEBCAST: 7/22
TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Webcast accessible through: http://ite-tim.mu.edu/
(ALL SCHEDULED TIMES ARE CENTRAL TIME)
Traffic Operations Center (TOC) Leadership Conference
Marquette University
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Thursday, July 22, 1999
OBJECTIVE: Peer Networking Sharing Knowledge and Experience
Includes: National Leaders in Freeway Traffic Management
SPONSORS: Wisconsin Department of Transportation, Federal Highway
Administration, Marquette University, Institute of Transportation
Engineers (ITE) - Traffic Incident Management User Group and ITE TOC/TMC
Users Group
SESSIONS: Format: Overview Presentation
Comments by Panel
Discussion & Comments by participants
Panel Members:
Joe McDermott, McDermott & Associates
Susan Groth, Minnesota DOT
Stephen Young, Wisconsin DOT
Ken Jonak, Illinois DOT
Duana Love, Illinois DOT
9:00 am Welcome & Introductions: Wisconsin DOT
9:20 am Operations & Maintenance (O&M) Issues - Planning, Staffing &
Budget Overview: Walter Kraft, PB Farradyne, Inc
Panel Discussion
10:30 am Break
10:45 am Interagency Coordination; Cross agency boundaries, Information
Sharing, Integrating Operations, Incident Management
Overview: J. McDermott, McDermott & Assoc.
Panel Discussion
11:45 LUNCH (on your own)
12:45 pm Privatization; TOC Operations, Maintenance, Project
Participation
Overview: Walter Kraft, PB Farradyne, Inc
Panel Discussion:
2:00 pm Break
2:15 pm TOC & TMC - ITE Users Group
User Group Needs; Chat Group, List Server, Weekly Topical, Discussions,
Database of: contact names, roles, activities, examples of operational
policies & guidelines (VMS, etc.).
Overview: Jay Obenberger, WisDOT, District ITS Engineer
Discussion: Participants
3:00 pm Wrap Up Discussion -- Need for Future Conferences
Reply to:
Wilks, Tobasha
Top
-------------------- 17
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#17. ITE TIM Conference Calls - from
Wilks, Tobasha
Top
Date: Tue, 27 Jul 1999 08:53:00 -0500
From: "Wilks, Tobasha" <tobasha.wilks@dot.state.wi.us>
Subject: ITE TIM Conference Calls
ITE Traffic Incident Management (TIM) Committee
Meetings - Las Vegas
Teleconferencing Information
If you can not attend the ITE TIM Meetings at the ITE Annual Meeting in
Las Vegas in person, you may participate via teleconference.
The telephone number to call-in is: (630) 395-0420.
When prompted, enter the passcode: 28816
Please use the same telephone number and passcode to teleconference with
each of the following ITE meetings:
1. "Organizing and Sustaining Incident Management Programs to Meet
Tomorrow's Needs", Monday, August 2nd, 8am to 9am (Pacific Time), Las
Vegas Hilton Conference Room 5.
2. ITE TIM Committee Meeting, Monday, August 2nd, 2:30pm to 5:30pm
(Pacific Time), Las Vegas Hilton Pavilion 2 Conference Room.
Reply to:
Wilks, Tobasha
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