Integration of Maine Tow Operators into Maine Incident Management

Transcription

1 Integration of Maine Tow Operators into Maine Incident Management Friday, December 1, :30 AM 2:30 PM MTA Administration and Public Safety Building Portland, ME December 1, 2017 I-95 CC Workshop: Integration of Maine Tow Operators into Maine Incident Management 1

2 AGENDA Time Topic Speaker 9:30 am Welcome & Introductions 9:45 am -10:30 am Session 1: Best Practices in Heavy Towing Tom Reinauer, SMPDC Steve Landry, Maine DOT Ricky Via, Virginia DOT State Traffic Operations Manager 10:30 am - 10:45 am Break 10:45 am - 11:30 am Session 2: Towing Initiatives Lessons Learned Meredith McDiarmid, North Carolina DOT State ITS & Signal Engineer 11:30 am - 12:15 pm Lunch and Networking 12:15 pm - 2:25 pm Roundtable Discussion Facilitator: Denise Markow, Director TSMO, I-95 Corridor Coalition 2:25 pm - 2:30 pm Wrap-Up Denise Markow December 1, 2017 I-95 CC Workshop: Integration of Maine Tow Operators into Maine Incident Management 2

3 WELCOME & INTRODUCTIONS TOM REINAUER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SMPDC STEVE LANDRY, MAINEDOT STATE TRAFFIC ENGINEER December 1, 2017 I-95 CC Workshop: Integration of Maine Tow Operators into Maine Incident Management 3

4 SESSION 1: BEST PRACTICES IN HEAVY TOWING RICKY VIA, PE VIRGINIA DOT STATE TRAFFIC OPERATIONS MANAGER December 1, 2017 I-95 CC Workshop: Integration of Maine Tow Operators into Maine Incident Management 4

5 OPERATION CLEAR ROADS Dean H. Gustafson, P.E., PTOE State Operations Engineer Ricky A. Via State Traffic Operations Manager

6 What is Operation Clear Roads? Secure Towing and Recovery operations to clear the roadway quickly and safely of disabled or damaged vehicles and their cargos restoring the roadway to it full capacity. Secure timely dispatch of appropriate towing and recovery assets to an incident scene. Provide multiple tools/options for field personnel to solve unique operational issues. 6

7 Operation Clear Roads Goals Reduce Roadway Clearance Time Reduce Congestion from Incidents Vehicle Hours of Delay Reduce economic productivity loss to road users Road User Cost Improve Reliability of Travel Reduce secondary and rear-end crashes Increase responder safety 7

8 Tractor Trailer Crash Incidents on Interstates FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 # Lane-Impacting Incidents ,023 1,026 Median Roadway Clearance Time # Incidents 1,548 1,940 2,219 2,264 Median Incident Clearance Time Disabled Vehicle Incidents on Interstates FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 # Incidents (lane-impacting) 4,673 4,802 4,252 4,403 Median Roadway Clearance Time # Incidents (all) 53,023 73,745 73,257 59,365 Median Incident Clearance Time Vehicle Crash Incidents on Interstates FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 # Incidents (lane-impacting) 8,454 8,686 9,638 10,137 Median Roadway Clearance Time # Incidents (all) 20,075 22,145 24,323 23,995 Median Incident Clearance Time

9 Cost of congestion due to incidents Region Cost of non-recurring congestion FY17 Portion due to incidents I-81 Corridor $35M $16M Richmond (all interstates except I-85) Hampton Roads (all interstates except I-95) $55M $25M $130M $60M Northern Virginia $300M $135M Totals $520M $235M Costs of delay were $17.91 per hour for passenger vehicles, and $ per hour for commercial vehicles, per the Texas Transportation Institutes 2017 cost-of-delay estimates. Source of Data INRIX travel time data and VDOT Historical Volume Data compiled in UMD CATT Lab s RITIS It was assumed that 45% of all non-recurring congestion was due to incidents, based on guidance from FHWA. Non-recurring congestion is defined as the difference between observed travel time and the travel time that is 10 mph below historical travel time for a given segment 9

10 Challenges A lack of qualified/experienced heavy duty towing/ recovery services in many parts of Virginia. Outside of Safety Service Patrol routes, VDOT does not respond to incidents involving disabled vehicles and only involved in larger crashes. During its 2012 Session, the Virginia General Assembly passed legislation eliminating the Board of Towing and Recovery Operators (BTRO) and the towing regulations managed by BTRO. DCJS is responsible for licensing of tow drivers only. Tow operators and companies do not want to be licensed or regulated by any state government entity and limit any rights to work. 10

11 Challenges, con t Towing and recovery services are generally requested through law enforcement agencies that have rotational agreements with limited professional requirements. Incidents involving larger vehicles carrying a wide variety of freight types have the potential for closing roadways for extended periods of time. 11

12 Existing Operations Clear Roads Strategies TRIP CRO (Richmond Pilot program). Phase I (Outreach/Enrollment) began May 1 st. Phase 2 (Delivery/Performance Analysis) begins December 15 th. VSP Tow lists Statewide except where counties have existing tow boards - Regular Tow and Heavy Duty lists Emergency Contract Tow (Weather) All VDOT Districts during significant weather events expected to impact Interstate System Contracted locally by District/Residency as standby resource to relocate tractor trailers from the Interstate Estimated Cost = $1.8M per year Major Crash Incident Response Working Group Instant Tow NoVA (Woodrow Wilson Bridge, Fairfax and Prince William Counties) Estimated Cost = $24,000 per year 12

13 Existing Operations Clear Roads Strategies Instant Tow SWRO (Pilot program for Salem) Instant Tow NWRO (Outreach & Planning Stages) Tunnel Quick Tow - Emergency Relocation Program - A limited temporary towing program was implemented at HRBT in the summer 2015 The Program contained VHD growth to 0% while VHD for greater Hampton Roads increased by 16%. County Tow Board Lists Arlington, City of Richmond, Stafford 13

14 1. INCENTIVE HEAVY DUTY TOWING Concept: Towing and Recovery Incentive Program (TRIP) is a Quick Clearance incentive program to pay heavy-duty recovery companies a monetary bonus for clearing commercial vehicle wrecks within 90 minutes. Richmond Pilot Phase I began on May 1, 2017; Phase II begins December 15,

15 TRIP OVERVIEW Activated for major lane blockage commercial vehicle crashes by VDOT, VSP or SSP minute response time 90 minute clearance Timekeepers through VDOT TOC by VSP or SSP 15

16 TRIP BENEFITS Benefits to first responders, VSP, and the traveling public by facilitating the safe, quick clearance of large commercial vehicle incidents which help to reduce secondary accidents and congestion. First responders will benefit from a reduced time spent on the interstate responding to an incident. Towing companies benefits Increased safety due to proper training and partnering Monetary incentives for overall performance, proper equipment and quick clearance of travel lanes 16

17 Incentive Towing Requirements 24/7 Equipment Availability 30-ton and one 50-ton recovery wrecker (or 40-ton Rotator) Support Truck including a full set of tools, traffic control & fluid spill mitigation capability 3 man team response to every TRIP call Other specialized heavy equipment (low-boys, bobcats, etc) Training Operators and Supervisors with full certification in advanced heavy towing and recovery, MUTCD traffic control, Hazardous Material awareness, TIM Quick Clearance strategies and NIMS Continuing Education Annually (8 hours) 17

18 Incentive Towing Requirements, cont. Inspections On-site yard and equipment inspections Periodic unannounced inspections Response Times 30 min (peak hours) for on-scene Supervisor 45 min (peak hours) for on-scene Equipment Safety Vests 24/7 availability Open Enrollment/Application Process 18

19 Use Incentive Towing for non-hazmat cargo tractor trailer crashes Vehicle Types: Truck Tractor Semi-Trailer Combo (US DOT 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) Aircraft Major Transportation Emergency / Discretionary Incident Types: Rollover blocking any travel lanes Multiple truck crash Jack-knifed and not drivable Lost Load on or affecting travel lane(s) Load Shifted on or affecting travel lane(s) Lost tandems / axle or buckled trailer affecting travel lane(s) Fire with tires burned off or cargo spilled Major impact with guard rail, bridge support or structure on top of barrier wall Bus crash with multiple injuries 19

20 2. VSP HEAVY DUTY RECOVERY LIST Concept: Improve the existing heavy duty recovery and relocation list by requiring certification to get/remain on list: Operators would be required to have TRAA Level 3 Heavy Recovery Specialist certifications Immediate dispatch using TRAA Vehicle Identification Guide and encourage description of incident, rather than equipment needs. Establish communications between tower and first responders Establish Next on Deck notification process for tow companies Require tow companies within reasonable time/distance of incident before dispatching At Incidents involving uninsured parties VDOT would guarantee Towers a fixed recovery fee to mitigate conditions, as merited pursue civilly and/or via contract collections. 20

21 3. CONTRACTED EMERGENCY RELOCATION Concept: Establish contracts either by a Locality or VDOT for relocation and recovery services only on the Interstate System. Specific contract requirements to address equipment, response time, capabilities, training, and cost Establish performance standards Establish protocols to expedite scene access Establish outreach requirements to partner with first responders 21

22 3. CONTRACT RELOCATION AND RECOVERY Instant Tow Light/Medium Duty Wrecker Segment Based High-Volume Periods or High- Incident Areas where incidents will congest regional transportation network quickly Regulated Deployment Must meet Inter-Agency Specifications Recommendation Assigned Segments Light/Medium/Heavy Recovery Wrecker Segment Based High-Volume, High-Incident, or Long Duration corridors Regulated Deployment Must meet Inter-Agency Specifications 22

23 4. MAJOR CRASH INCIDENT RESPONSE WORKING GROUP Overcoming Obstacles Commonwealth agencies lead the Major Crash Incident Response Working Group to encourage towing and recovery companies to work in partnership to develop the skills needed to support Operation Clear Roads. Amended existing Quick Clearance legislation which authorizes the removal of driver-attended disabled or wrecked vehicles from travel lanes providing no injury or death, to include the authority to tow or relocate out of the roadway any vehicles and cargo that have blocked a highway due to an incident. 23

24 4. MAJOR CRASH INCIDENT RESPONSE WORKING GROUP Overcoming Obstacles - Continued Action Item Highlights: Develop best practices and recommended procedures for towing and recovery operations, quick clearance of commercial vehicles, and procedures for class 7 & 8 vehicle investigations. Develop and use clearance-timed incentives when contracting with heavy-duty tower service providers. 24

25 Major Crash Incident Response Working Group Stakeholders - Commonwealth Agencies (VDOT, VSP, VDEM, AG s Office) Towing and Recovery Industry Insurance Industry Trucking Industry Working Group is a subcommittee of the Statewide TIMS Committee 25

26 Program Statistics Current Situation Statewide Incidents FY 2017 Statewide Incidents FY 2017 # of Incidents Average Roadway Clearance Time Median Roadway Clearance Time All Lane Impacting Incidents 15, Tractor Trailer Crashes 1, Disable Vehicles 4, Vehicle Crashes 10,

27 Questions? Dean H. Gustafson, P.E., PTOE State Operations Engineer Phone: (804) Ricky A. Via State Traffic Operations Manager Phone: (804)

28 BREAK (15 min) December 1, 2017 I-95 CC Workshop: Integration of Maine Tow Operators into Maine Incident Management 28

29 SESSION 2: TOWING INITIATIVES... LESSONS LEARNED MEREDITH MCDIARMID, PE NORTH CAROLINA DOT STATE ITS AND SIGNAL ENGINEER December 1, 2017 I-95 CC Workshop: Integration of Maine Tow Operators into Maine Incident Management 29

30 Towing Initiatives Lessons Learned Meredith McDiarmid, PE, CPM North Carolina DOT December 1, 2017

31 North Carolina Basics December 1,

32 Heavy Towing Volunteer basis Equipment requirements Training requirements Statewide with designated zones Performance based Big crashes only <5% of total crashes December 1,

33 Activation of MOVE Program Arrival on scene within 60 minutes NTP Notice to proceed is given 120 Minute Roadway Clearance goal December 1,

34 December 1,

35 Heavy Towing Lessons Learned Started too big Ahead of our time Towing & recovery association not representative of majority of towing companies Some towing companies liked it, some didn t Whenever you think you ve got everything covered you DON T December 1,

36 Work Zone Towing December 1,

37 Work Zone Towing All towing needs Contract requirement Designated area No parking ordinance 30 minute response times Replaced rotation December 1,

38 Work Zone Towing Lessons Learned Law enforcement HAS to be on board NCDOT took lead to call towing company Camera coverage is critical Constant communication is KEY December 1,

39 1.2-mile section of Business 40 through downtown Winston-Salem Approximate 2 year closure December 1,

40 Network Towing Contract between NCDOT and towing company(s) All towing needs Equipment requirements Training requirements Designated areas No parking ordinances Performance measures Replaces rotation Bus 40 I-40 US 52 December 1,

41 Network Towing Lessons Learned Already started communications with towing companies and law enforcement NCDOT forces will play vital role How much will it cost?? December 1,

42 Towing Initiatives Lessons Learned Meredith McDiarmid, PE, CPM December 1, 2017

43 LUNCH December 1, 2017 I-95 CC Workshop: Integration of Maine Tow Operators into Maine Incident Management 43

44 ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION How to Better Integrate Maine Tow Operations into Maine Incident Management? HOW DO WE GET MORE OF THE TOWING INDUSTRY TRAINED IN TIM? WHY IS THERE A NEED TO BE TRAINED AND MEET MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS? WHAT ARE SOME OF THE ISSUES ON THE TOWING/ RECOVERY SIDE OF TIM? HOW CAN THESE BE ADDRESSED? HOW DO WE BETTER MESSAGE THAT TOWING IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE INCIDENT MANAGEMENT PROCESS ACROSS THE RESPONDER COMMUNITY? ARE THERE PROTOCOLS IN PLACE FOR STAGE TOWING? IF NOT, ARE THEY NEEDED? SHOULD WE CONTINUE DISCUSSIONS IN FUTURE MEETINGS AND IF SO HOW DO WE BEST ENGAGE THE TOWING COMMUNITY IN PLANNING DISCUSSIONS? December 1, 2017 I-95 CC Workshop: Integration of Maine Tow Operators into Maine Incident Management 44