Traffic Incident Management Legislation

1. Traffic Incident Management Legislation VML Transportation Policy Committee Meeting July 18, 2019

2. Proposed Policy Position Support legislation that seeks to improve congestion by allowing traffic incident management vehicles owned, operated, or contracted by VDOT to have flashing lights and audible sirens necessary to assist first responders in traffic accidents.

3. Background • The Washington Metropolitan Council of Governments released a report in November 2018 that provided seven priority recommendations to improve the quick and safe resolution of traffic incidents region wide. • Recommendation: Review and update legislation and policies that would designate transportation incident responders as emergency responders region wide

4. Background • Goals of TIM legislation: • Shorten VDOT response times • Allow faster scene clearance, saving commuters time and money • Improve public safety This issue can benefit the whole Commonwealth Other states such as Maryland, Illinois, Georgia, Tennessee, and Florida have implemented legislation

5. VDOT TIM Vehicles VDOT Safety Service Patrol Vehicles Serve as TIM Vehicles Vehicles are dispatched along major VA corridors by the Virginia Transportation Operations Center or Virginia State Police VDOT TIM vehicles currently use amber lighting

6. VDOT Safety Service Patrol Routes

7. What will the legislation do? • Adds vehicles to the list for which operators of a motor vehicle must move over or proceed with caution. • Bill would require a TIM operator to complete initial emergency vehicle operators course and recertify as emergency vehicle operator every 5 years • Authorize traffic incident management vehicles as defined to be: • Equipped with flashing red or red and white warning lights; • Exempt from certain traffic regulations in particular situations • Equipped with siren, exhaust whistle, or air horn.

8. Strategy on Legislation • Build coalition of support, at minimum to include local governments and local government organizations • Request administration initiate and support legislation • Discuss with public safety organizations • Build support with House and Senate Transportation Committees

9. Proposed Policy Position Support legislation that seeks to improve congestion by allowing traffic incident management vehicles owned, operated, or contracted by VDOT to have flashing lights and audible sirens necessary to assist first responders in traffic accidents.