GENERATION AND ASSESSMENT OF INCIDENT MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES. SUMMARY REPORT

This summary report describes a study of freeway incidents and incident management strategies in the Seattle area. The study statistically analyzed the frequency and duration of freeway incidents on sections of I-5 and SR 520 in Seattle. In addition, a traffic simulation model was operationalized to assess the traffic related impacts of incidents. The findings show that Seattle-area incident management currently responds well to inclement weather and special events (e.g., major sporting games) but has problems with severe accidents. The ongoing operationalization of accident investigation sites and incident equipment storage sites can be expected to improve severe accident management, but response personnel training and the addition of more dedicated tow truck service are also needed. Finally, the study shows that, from a traffic impact perspective, the section of I-5 in downtown Seattle is in need of the most incident management attention.

• Record URL:
  • http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/research/reports/fullreports/204.1.pdf
• 
• Supplemental Notes:
  • See also WA-RD 204.2, Volume I: Management, Surveillance, Control, and Evaluation of Freeway Incidents--A Review of Existing Literature; WA-RD 204.3, Volume II: Analysis of Freeway Incidents in the Seattle Area; WA-RD 204.4, Volume III: Seattle-Area Incident Impact Analysis--Microcomputer Traffic Simulation Results; and WA-RD 204.5, Volume IV: Seattle-Area Incident Management--Assessment and Recommendations.
• Corporate Authors:

  University of Washington, Seattle

  Seattle, WA  United States  98195

  Washington State Department of Transportation

  Transportation Building, 310 Maple Park Avenue SE, P.O. Box 47300
  Olympia, WA  United States  98504-7300

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Mannering, F
  • Jones, B
  • Garrison, D H
  • Sebranke, B
  • JANSSEN, L
• Publication Date: 1990-1

Media Info

• Features: Figures;
• Pagination: 25 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Crashes; Evaluation; Freeways; Frequency (Electromagnetism); Impact studies; Management; Special events; Statistical analysis; Time duration; Traffic incidents; Traffic simulation; Urban areas; Weather
• Uncontrolled Terms: Duration; Incidents
• Geographic Terms: Seattle (Washington)
• Old TRIS Terms: Urban freeways
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Data and Information Technology; Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Safety and Human Factors; Society; I73: Traffic Control;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00496604
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: WA-RD 204.1
• Contract Numbers: GC8286, Task 23
• Files: TRIS, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Aug 31 1990 12:00AM