Guide to Integrating Business Processes to Improve Travel Time Reliability (2011) / Chapter Skim
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Pages 28-39
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From page 28... ...
; and • I-80 Winter Operations, which details the actions and strategies that are initiated as a result of a closure or a restriction on I-80 at the Nevada/California state line during hazardous winter storm conditions. WSDOT INSTANT TOW Introduction and Background The State of Washington has a comprehensive and effective incident response program.
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When a disabled vehicle was reported or spotted by WSDOT Traffic Operations Center operators using the WSDOT CCTV cameras, a WSP trooper was dispatched and, on arriving at the scene, would verify that a tow was needed; only then would a tow operator on the WSP list be contacted. Under the Instant Tow Dispatch Program, as soon as an incident is verified on the CCTV cameras, a tow truck can be dispatched without prior verification of need from a WSP trooper.
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When a disabled vehicle that is blocking at least one lane of traffic is identified by WSDOT CCTV cameras in an area with the Instant Tow Dispatch Program, WSP will dispatch a WSP trooper and an Instant Tow Dispatch Program tow operator at the same time. WSDOT Incident Response monitors the dispatch of the WSP and will deploy a WSDOT Incident Response unit to the incident as well.
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Detailed business process diagram of WSDOT incident response.
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In Washington, the Instant Tow Dispatch Program initially began as a program on the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. Although it was successful in reducing clearance times, it was not sustainable because tow operators were not reimbursed for dry runs, which occurred when they were dispatched to tow a vehicle and the vehicle had been removed from the lanes before the tow operator arrived.
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The University of Washington Transportation Research Center was also asked to study the initial pilot program. The study found that without the Instant Tow Dispatch Program it would take an average of 18 min to dispatch a tow truck after an incident was detected and verified.
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The Instant Tow Dispatch Program demonstrates the importance of support from all levels within an agency for a business process to be integrated and successfully contribute to improved reliability.
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This section describes the seven steps of business process development and integration and how they relate to the I-80 winter operations and management activities. Figure 4.2.
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The resulting lengthy truck queues create obvious safety hazards because they inhibit winter maintenance activities and limit the ability of emergency responders to navigate through the congested corridor. Step 2: Reliability Goals NDOT currently has limited quantitative goals related to reducing truck queues and idling near the state line as a result of a closure or restriction.
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and automated activities in response to rapidly changing winter weather conditions. Step 4: Develop/Change and Implement Process Although there are good working relationships among the state and local agencies that are routinely involved in winter operations and management on the I-80 corridor, agencies have recognized that they could do more to mitigate the impacts of closures or restrictions at the state line.
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From page 38... ...
The need to provide more comprehensive and timely information to freight traffic has also inspired some key enhancements to NDOT's 511 and web traveler information system. It is the ongoing collaboration throughout the prewinter strategies that allows agencies in both states to continually review and refine these processes and procedures.
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From page 39... ...
There is also a need to minimize (or eliminate) the number of trucks parking on I-80 because these trucks affect other traffic, pose a hazard to emergency access, and impede NDOT's winter maintenance activities.
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