CFD Emergency Traffic Management Flashcards
NFPA 1901 - emergency vehicles should have two modes
One mode to signal to drivers that the apparatus us responding to an emergency and is calling for the right of way
One mode to signal that the apparatus is stopped and is blocking the right of way
for night operations
the headlights should be turned off so they do not blind oncoming motorists
arrow boards and directional bars
are to be used any time CFD apparatus are blocking roadways
traffic cones - Low-speed roadways (60km/h or less posted speed)
Incidents that are anticipated to take 30 minutes or less to clear on low speed roadways, Arrow boards may be sufficient warning for oncoming motorists
For incidents anticipated to take longer than 30 minutes to clear will require cones to be placed behind apparatus
traffic cones - High-speed roadways (70km/h or greater posted speed)
For Incidents that are anticipated to take 30 minutes or less to clear, if officer determines and when traffic has slowed and it is safe to do so, crews can deploy cones
For incidents anticipated to take longer than 30 minutes, the officer may request additional resources (Can be accessed through dispatched as required)
on a high-speed road (greater than 70km/hr posted speed) a Safety Support Engine (SSE) will be automatically dispatched.
Establishing the traffic control zone Begins on approach to the scene, officer must consider factors including:
Approaching the incident
Staging the initial apparatus
Staging the secondary apparatus
Establishing command and scene size-up
Setting up the traffic control zone
Operation and monitoring of the traffic control zone
Takedown of the traffic control zone and resumption of regular traffic patterns
Approaching the incident
Approach the incident form the direction of travel in a safe and controlled manner and with emergency lights on
Staging the Initial Apparatus
buffer zone
lateral buffer
taper
tangent
buffer zone
The space between the incident site and the fire apparatus
lateral buffer
Space between the side/corner of the apparatus and civilian traffic
taper
Placement of a safety support engine or an arrangement of delineation devices in a diagonal line that marks the closure of one lane and movement to a second land
tangent
Is a row of delineation devices that are straight and parallel with the flow of traffic
Fend Off Position
Achieved by slowly pulling the apparatus as far to the right or left as possible within a lane of travel, then turning sharply back, to position the vehicle at 20-30 degrees to the roadway
Staying within the lane and remaining at least 0.5 meters form the adjacent lane
A traffic cone should be placed between the corner of the apparatus and the adjacent laneway (lateral buffer)
In-Line Position
Achieved by approaching the scene and maintaining the apparatus in line with the incident
Approach to the scene can be made from either direction
Crews should leave at least the minimum 0.5m lateral buffer
The in-line position allows for maximum visibility of the retroreflective striping as well as any arrow boards which may be incapable of rotating
staging Secondary Apparatus - when approaching the scene the officer should consider
vehicle location
vehicle staging
a lateral buffer
designating a FF to place cones
size up - roadway hazards
traffic hazards and debris
environmental hazards
fire or explosions
suspicious or terrorist activity
size up - incident factors
condition of involved vehicles
scene access and egress
environmental conditions
evidence and/or witnesses
risk to vehicle occupants
known or probable occupants
occupants survival assessment
Formulating the Incident Action Plan (IAP) - minor traffic incidents
incidents where it is expected that the duration will be 30 mins or less until all vehicles and debris are removed from the roadway
Formulating the Incident Action Plan (IAP) - intermediate traffic incidents
will have on-scene time durations ranging from 30mins to 2 hours
Temporary traffic control protocols will need to be established with advanced warning, approach and transitions areas usually needing to be set-up
Formulating the Incident Action Plan (IAP) - major traffic incidents
Incidents whose duration will exceed 2 hours
Full traffic control zones will need to be established. If the incident will exceed 24 hours, full work zone requirements will need to be implemented
Components of a Traffic control zone (five distinct component areas)
- Advance warning area
- Approach area
- Transition area
- Activity area
- Termination area
Activity area, includes:
Traffic space
Initial apparatus location
Buffer zone
Incident site
Additional apparatus
Staging area
advance warning area
should alert motorists that there is a traffic situation or difficulty ahead, which will require some action on their part
approach area
should identify the nature of the equipment or vehicle that the driver is about to encounter and allow the driver to analyze the situation
transition area
should tell the motorist what actions to take
this section should allow sufficient time for the driver to execute safe driving techniques before entering the activity area
activity area - traffic space
where traffic is allowed to pass through the activity area, next to the incident
activity area - buffer zone
4m / 10 km/h of posted speed
activity area - incident site
restricted area for authorized personnel
activity area - staging area
where emergency vehicles that are not performing traffic control may be directed
is downstream of the incident site
the location of the staging area should not create a traffic hazard or obstruction or impede other emergency vehicles
termination area
where traffic returns to its normal path
extends from the downstream end of the staging area to the point where traffic is able to resume normal driving
Tangent and Taper diagram
tangent length - straight flat roads
For every km of posted speed, the tangent length will be approx. 1m
tangent length - should be adjusted for conditions
Wet road conditions, multiply the posted speed by 1.5 for tangent length
Snow/ice conditions, multiply the posted speed by 2 for tangent length
Roadway speed affects the placement of warning devices due to the following factors:
The distance travelled while reacting to the perceived hazard is lengthened with increased speed. A vehicle travelling at 100 km/hr covers 28 metres of roadway per second
The distance required to stop the vehicle after the brakes have been applied is proportional to how fast the vehicle is travelling and the road conditions
To assist crews with estimating distances, the following comparisons may be helpful:
1 engine length is approximately 9m.
The light poles on Deerfoot Trail are approximately 100m apart.
One skip line (dash) = 3m and the space between lines (gap) = 6m (Alberta Transportation, 2003, p. 23)
Additional Conditions Affecting Placement of Warning Devices
view obstructions
reduced visibility
view obstructions
Horizontal view obstructions – curved roadway (trees or buildings on the inside for the curve)
Vertical view obstructions (elevation changes in the roadway)
