HIMT ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Improving Safety For Incident Responders

Illinois Department of Transportation Update: June 2010

MODULE 5 INCIDENT CLASSIFICATION

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Objectives

• Incident Classification Methods• MUTCD• LMIGA

• Incident Examples

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MUTCD Incident Types

A. Minor—expected duration under 30 minutes

B. Intermediate—expected duration of 30 minutes

to 2 hours

C. Major—expected duration of more than 2 hours

D. Catastrophic Incident over 12 hours

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Minor Incidents

Safe Positioning Vehicles:• Establish Initial Block• Establish a TTC Zone• Redirect Traffic• Quick Clearance

Advanced Warning:• Establish Advanced Warning• Set up Transition Zones

Minor Incident Scenario

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• Safe Positioning Vehicles• Carry a Minimum of 6 Traffic Cones

• Establish a 250 Feet Approach to Incident:50 feet Minimum Buffer Space100 Feet Taper50 Feet Upstream Warning Sign

Minor Incident on Shoulder

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5-7

Intermediate Incidents

More Advanced Warning:• Follow Minor Incident Requirements• Establish Greater Buffer and Transition Zones• Advanced Warning Further Upstream• Qualified Flaggers

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Major Incidents

Advanced Warning:• Follow Minor and Intermediate Incident Requirements• Establish More Permanent TTC Devices• Position Advanced Warning Signs Further Upstream• DOT Provides Signs and Channeling Devices

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Six Incident Impact Level

Lake Michigan Interstate Gateway Alliance (LMIGA) “Standard Operating Procedure and Training” Guidance Policy

Six Level based on:• Number of lanes blocked• Time period

www.travelmidwest.com

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Level 1Incident Ranking Level 1

ConditionOne lane blocked in one direction -

off peak traffic period; Or, Incident blocking either shoulder or median lanes

DMS DMS- 5 miles

 

MUTCD Ranking Minor/Intermediate

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Level 11. One lane blocked in one direction 2. Off peak traffic period

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Level 1

Notifications:• Local law enforcement

• Appropriate incident responders

• Media

• Trucking companies via email

• DMS at 5 miles

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Level 2Incident Ranking Level 2

ConditionOne lane blocked in one direction -

peak traffic period;Or, incident blocking one lane

and/or service ramp

DMS

DMS- 5 miles if duration is <30 minutes

DMS 10 miles if duration is > 30 minutes

MUTCD Ranking Minor/Intermediate

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Level 21. One lane blocked in one direction 2. During peak traffic period

Picture courtesy of Illinois DOT District 8 Emergency Traffic Patrol, digitized 2010

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Level 2

Notifications:• Local law enforcement

• Appropriate incident responders

• Media

• Trucking companies via email

• DMS at 5 miles < 30 minutes

• DMS at 10 miles > 30 minutes

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Level 3Incident Ranking Level 3

Condition Half of all available lanes are blocked and/or system ramp

DMS

DMS - 7 miles if duration is <30 minutes

DMS 15 miles if duration is >30 minutes

MUTCD Ranking Intermediate/Major

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Level 31. Half of all available lanes are blocked and/or system ramp

Picture Courtesy of Illinois Tollway Authority, 2010

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Level 3

Notifications:• Local law enforcement

• Appropriate incident responders

• Media

• Trucking companies via email

• DMS at 7 miles < 30 minutes

• DMS at 15 miles > 30 minutes

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Level 4

Incident Ranking Level 4

Condition All available lanes blocked in one direction

DMS

DMS 15 miles if duration will be <30 minutes

DMS 30 miles if duration will be >30 minutes

MUTCD Ranking Intermediate or Major

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LMIGA Level 4All available lanes blocked in one direction

Picture Courtesy of the Florida DOT, 2006

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LMIGA Level 4

Notifications:• Local law enforcement

• Appropriate incident responders

• Media

• Trucking companies

• DMS at 15 miles < 30 minutes

• DMS at 30 miles > 30 minutes

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LMIGA Level 5

Incident Ranking Level 5

Condition Full freeway closure

DMS

DMS 10 miles each direction if duration will be <30 minutes

DMS 20 miles each direction if duration will be >30 minutes

MUTCD Ranking Major

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Level 5Full freeway closure

Picture Courtesy of KSDK Channel 5 News, 2010

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Level 5

Notifications:• Local law enforcement

• Appropriate incident responders

• Media

• Trucking companies

• DMS at 10 miles each direction < 30 minutes

• DMS at 20 miles each direction > 30 minutes

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Level 6

Incident Ranking Level 6

Condition Full freeway closure lasting 12 hours or longer

DMS

DMS 50 miles each direction (or at most logical point or re-direction)

Wide Area Plan

MUTCD Ranking Catastrophic

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Level 6Full freeway closure lasting 12 hours or longer

Picture Courtesy of the Missouri DOT, 2008

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Level 6

Notifications:• Local law enforcement

• Appropriate incident responders

• Media

• Trucking companies

• DMS at 50 miles each direction

5-28Picture Courtesy of R. Moore, McKinney FD, TX ca. 2005

Determine Type

5-29Picture courtesy of the Illinois Tollway Authority, 2010

Determine Type

5-30Picture courtesy of R. Moore, McKinney FD, TX, 2007

Determine Type

5-31Picture courtesy of R. Moore, McKinney FD, TX 2005

Determine Type

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Determine Type

Picture courtesy of Illinois Department of Transportation

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Determine Type

Picture courtesy of R. Moore, McKinney FD, TX 2005

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Summary

MODULE 5 INCIDENT CLASSIFICATION