Facilitating Incident Management Strategies on Freeways

Parham, Angelia H.; Wooldridge, Mark D.; Fenno, David W.; Fitzpatrick, Kay; Jasek, Debbie; Ranft, Stephen · 1999 · ROSA P / Texas Transportation Institute. Texas A&M University

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Summary

This 1999 report by the Texas Transportation Institute addresses the critical problem of traffic incidents on urban freeways, which cause significant delay, congestion, safety hazards, and air quality issues. The research was motivated by the need to reduce the duration and impact of incidents, particularly by minimizing emergency vehicle response times and optimizing remaining roadway capacity. The study specifically aimed to develop geometric design guidelines that facilitate incident management strategies, recognizing that physical infrastructure features directly influence the efficiency of detection, response, and clearance activities. The research methodology combined a comprehensive literature review with primary data collection. The team mailed surveys to 158 city and state transportation agencies and emergency response agencies across the United States, receiving 53 responses. These surveys identified techniques used by agencies and their perceived effectiveness. Follow-up phone interviews and on-site visits were conducted at locations in cities such as Washington D.C., Chicago, Los Angeles, and various Texas cities to observe implemented strategies firsthand. The study focused on six primary geometric techniques: emergency crossovers, refuge areas (accident investigation sites), temporary shoulder lanes, incident equipment storage sites, incident location aids, and tall concrete barriers with glare screens. Additional strategies like emergency ramps, contraflow lanes, and fire hydrants were also reviewed. The findings provide specific geometric design recommendations for each strategy. For emergency crossovers, the report details design variations such as gravel versus paved crossings and gate mechanisms, noting their role in allowing emergency vehicles to cross medians safely. Regarding refuge areas, the study outlines design layouts for accident investigation sites, including U-turn and side-street designs, to allow damaged vehicles to be moved off the main lanes. The report also provides guidelines for temporary shoulder lanes, emphasizing the need for clear signage and rumble strips to manage traffic flow. Incident location strategies were found to rely heavily on milepost markers, ramp reference signs, and updated 911 systems to improve the accuracy of incident reporting. Furthermore, the study examined the use of tall barriers and glare screens to reduce driver distraction and secondary accidents caused by rubbernecking. The significance of this work lies in its provision of actionable geometric design guidelines for transportation agencies. By integrating these physical features into freeway design, agencies can significantly reduce incident duration and improve safety for both motorists and emergency responders. The report concludes that while many strategies are effective, their success depends on proper design, public education, and coordination with emergency services. The findings offer a state-of-the-practice reference for designing freeways that are more resilient to nonrecurrent events, ultimately reducing the economic and safety costs associated with traffic incidents.

Key finding

The study developed geometric design guidelines for incident management strategies, including emergency crossovers, refuge areas, and accident investigation sites, based on survey results and on-site visits.

Methodology

mixed_methods

Sample size: 53

Provenance

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Summary generated by qwen3.6-27b-prismaquant on 2026-06-10; verification: verified.

Topics

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• emergency work zone conspicuity
• perceptual countermeasures