WSP/WSDOTMITProgram

2012 MIT Refresher Training

Major Incident Towing (MIT)Major Incident Towing (MIT)

The The MITMIT Program doubles the minimum heavy tow response Program doubles the minimum heavy tow response to blocking truck collisions in congested areas and provides to blocking truck collisions in congested areas and provides monetary incentives to authorized heavy tows operators who monetary incentives to authorized heavy tows operators who complete the recovery process within 90 minutes of being complete the recovery process within 90 minutes of being given a Notice to Proceed (NTP) by the WSP Primary Trooper given a Notice to Proceed (NTP) by the WSP Primary Trooper on-sceneon-scene

Doubling the minimum tow response to heavy truck involved Doubling the minimum tow response to heavy truck involved collisions has proven an effective tool in reducing congestion collisions has proven an effective tool in reducing congestion and the number of secondary collisionsand the number of secondary collisions

MIT Program History & MIT Program History & FundingFunding

The MIT pilot project was implemented in July 2007 in King, The MIT pilot project was implemented in July 2007 in King, Pierce, and Snohomish CountiesPierce, and Snohomish Counties

In 2009 the program was expanded to include the rest of the In 2009 the program was expanded to include the rest of the I-5 corridor from Oregon to British Columbia, CanadaI-5 corridor from Oregon to British Columbia, Canada

The WA Legislature provided $145,000 for the MIT program The WA Legislature provided $145,000 for the MIT program for the 2011-13 biennium or until the funds are expendedfor the 2011-13 biennium or until the funds are expended

MIT ExplainedMIT Explained WSP authorizes special MIT contracts with qualifying tow WSP authorizes special MIT contracts with qualifying tow

companies which require them to be en-route to major companies which require them to be en-route to major collisions involving CMV’s (>26K), Buses, etc. within collisions involving CMV’s (>26K), Buses, etc. within 1515 minutes during business hours or minutes during business hours or 3030 minutes after hours minutes after hours

The WSP Primary on-scene should ensure the tow company The WSP Primary on-scene should ensure the tow company is provided with the best route to the scene and is provided with the best route to the scene and AllAll alternatives should be considered to ensure prompt arrival of alternatives should be considered to ensure prompt arrival of the towsthe tows

Share pertinent recovery information – status of scene, type Share pertinent recovery information – status of scene, type of vehicle & cargo, contact number for WSP Primary, etc.of vehicle & cargo, contact number for WSP Primary, etc.

When to use MITWhen to use MIT

MIT should be used when more than one heavy tow trucks MIT should be used when more than one heavy tow trucks and/or additional equipment is needed to expedite clearing a and/or additional equipment is needed to expedite clearing a blockedblocked ramp or travel lane of a roadway ramp or travel lane of a roadway

MIT is intended to focus primarily on the I-5 corridor, MIT is intended to focus primarily on the I-5 corridor, however, MIT may be used on however, MIT may be used on anyany state or interstate highway state or interstate highway in those corridors where a blocking heavy truck involved in those corridors where a blocking heavy truck involved collision will cause, or is likely to cause, significant traffic collision will cause, or is likely to cause, significant traffic congestioncongestion

MIT Response RequirementsMIT Response Requirements

MIT Contractors are required to be en-route with:MIT Contractors are required to be en-route with:– (2) Class C trucks, (2) Class C trucks, oror – (1) Class C and (1) Class S1 rotator, or (1) Class C and (1) Class S1 rotator, or – combination thereof combination thereof – within 15 minutes of notification during business hours orwithin 15 minutes of notification during business hours or– within 30 minutes if notified after business hourswithin 30 minutes if notified after business hours

– Tow companies are required to call Communications when Tow companies are required to call Communications when they are en route.they are en route.

Tow companies with only one qualifying tow may partner with Tow companies with only one qualifying tow may partner with other contracted and authorized MIT tow companiesother contracted and authorized MIT tow companies

Activating a MITActivating a MIT

A WSP District Tow Inspector, Sergeant or TIC with A WSP District Tow Inspector, Sergeant or TIC with knowledge of the incident, can request Communications to knowledge of the incident, can request Communications to activate a MIT. activate a MIT.

A MIT may also be activated on other routes with approval A MIT may also be activated on other routes with approval of a District Duty Lieutenant, the District Commander or of a District Duty Lieutenant, the District Commander or their designee. their designee.

MIT Activation Guide CardsMIT Activation Guide Cards

Incidents/collisions for MITIncidents/collisions for MIT

The following incidents/situations may qualify for a MIT The following incidents/situations may qualify for a MIT Activation:Activation:

Tractor/Trailer CombinationsTractor/Trailer Combinations– Rollover or other collisions blocking a ramp or one or Rollover or other collisions blocking a ramp or one or

more travel lanesmore travel lanes– Multiple truck collisions blocking a ramp or one or Multiple truck collisions blocking a ramp or one or

more travel lanesmore travel lanes– Lost tandems or split trailer on or affecting a ramp or Lost tandems or split trailer on or affecting a ramp or

multiple travel lanesmultiple travel lanes– Major impact with or on top of a median barrier wall, Major impact with or on top of a median barrier wall,

guard rail, or bridge support, etc.guard rail, or bridge support, etc.

Incidents/collisions for MIT Incidents/collisions for MIT (continued)(continued)

Trucks over 40,000 lbs.Trucks over 40,000 lbs. (i.e., lumber, sod, moving vans, etc.)(i.e., lumber, sod, moving vans, etc.)

– Rollover collisions blocking ramp or one or more travel lanesRollover collisions blocking ramp or one or more travel lanes– Loss of load blocking ramp or one or more travel lanesLoss of load blocking ramp or one or more travel lanes– Major impact with or on top of a median barrier wall, guard Major impact with or on top of a median barrier wall, guard

rail, or bridge supportrail, or bridge support BussesBusses (commercial/motor coach/motor homes)(commercial/motor coach/motor homes)

– Rollover blocking ramp or one or more travel lanesRollover blocking ramp or one or more travel lanes– Major impact with or on top of a median barrier wall, guard Major impact with or on top of a median barrier wall, guard

rail or bridge abutmentrail or bridge abutment OtherOther

– Any other collision or incident deemed by the WSP/WSDOT Any other collision or incident deemed by the WSP/WSDOT as requiring the deployment of two or more heavy tow trucksas requiring the deployment of two or more heavy tow trucks

WSP ResponsibilitiesWSP Responsibilities

The CAD log is the “Official” record/timekeeper for MIT The CAD log is the “Official” record/timekeeper for MIT activationsactivations

Once a MIT has been activated, WSP Communications will Once a MIT has been activated, WSP Communications will notify their district WSDOT Traffic Management Center notify their district WSDOT Traffic Management Center (TMC)to dispatch two Incident Response trucks to the scene (TMC)to dispatch two Incident Response trucks to the scene (24/7)(24/7)

WSP ResponsibilitiesWSP Responsibilities(continued)(continued)

The WSP Primary on scene shall ensure that Communications is The WSP Primary on scene shall ensure that Communications is advised of the tow arrival on scene, all MIT clearance start and advised of the tow arrival on scene, all MIT clearance start and stop times and when all travel lanes are openstop times and when all travel lanes are open

• MIT Start TimeMIT Start Time = Time on-scene WSP Primary Trooper gives Notice to = Time on-scene WSP Primary Trooper gives Notice to Proceed (NTP) authorizing the tow to begin recoveryProceed (NTP) authorizing the tow to begin recovery

(It is the responsibility of the WSP Primary Trooper to advise Communications of the MIT Start (It is the responsibility of the WSP Primary Trooper to advise Communications of the MIT Start Time)Time)

• MIT Stop timeMIT Stop time = Time all traveled lanes are cleared of all wreckage/debris = Time all traveled lanes are cleared of all wreckage/debris and are re-opened to traffic and are re-opened to traffic

(WSP Primary Trooper advises communications)(WSP Primary Trooper advises communications)

The 90 minute clock may be interrupted (The 90 minute clock may be interrupted (stopped and re-startedstopped and re-started) due to ) due to investigation, HAZMAT, or other reasons not related to the recovery of the investigation, HAZMAT, or other reasons not related to the recovery of the vehicle(s)vehicle(s)

• The on scene WSP Primary Trooper will advise Communications to start & The on scene WSP Primary Trooper will advise Communications to start & stop the MIT Timer to ensure the tow company is not improperly stop the MIT Timer to ensure the tow company is not improperly penalizedpenalized

Tower ResponsibilitiesTower Responsibilities Assign a lead operator to coordinate recovery operations Assign a lead operator to coordinate recovery operations

with WSP Primary Trooper on-scene & WSDOT Incident with WSP Primary Trooper on-scene & WSDOT Incident Response LeadResponse Lead

Complete MIT Activation Form for each MIT activationComplete MIT Activation Form for each MIT activation Document the scene with minimum of 5 digital photographs Document the scene with minimum of 5 digital photographs

before & during recovery operationsbefore & during recovery operations Send original invoice, activation form, and digital Send original invoice, activation form, and digital

photographs to WSDOT when eligible for incentive payment photographs to WSDOT when eligible for incentive payment within 5 business days. within 5 business days.

Follow instruction in MIT Program HandoutFollow instruction in MIT Program Handout

WSDOT ResponsibilitiesWSDOT Responsibilities

Send two IR trucks to all MIT ActivationsSend two IR trucks to all MIT Activations Assist WSP with MIT program training, tracking and Assist WSP with MIT program training, tracking and

developmentdevelopment Assist WSP with on-scene traffic control and other Assist WSP with on-scene traffic control and other

resources /equipment as neededresources /equipment as needed Verify MIT start and stop time in the CAD log to confirm Verify MIT start and stop time in the CAD log to confirm

payment eligibility (audit trail)payment eligibility (audit trail) Review, process, and authorize incentive payments to Review, process, and authorize incentive payments to

qualifying tow companiesqualifying tow companies

MIT Activation 8-21-07WB 512 to SB I-5

Cargo: 38,000 lbs. Empty Wine BottlesBill’s and Gene’s Towing (Partnership)

(Structural integrity of trailer compromised, load had to be unloaded by hand)

Start of incident to all lanes open = 2 hrs., 13 min Recovery time (all lanes open): 37 minutes

Unload trailer: 4 ½ hoursTotal incident time: 7 hrs., 9 min

Estimated Lane Blockage time saved: 4.5 to 5 hours

MIT Activation SummaryMIT Activation Summary May be used for any Major Truck collision that significantly May be used for any Major Truck collision that significantly

does or could impact traffic flow on a SR or Interstatedoes or could impact traffic flow on a SR or Interstate Requires (2) heavy tow trucks to be rolling within 15/30 Requires (2) heavy tow trucks to be rolling within 15/30

minutes depending on the time of the activationminutes depending on the time of the activation Once given the Notice to Proceed, tow operators must have Once given the Notice to Proceed, tow operators must have

all lanes cleared within 90 minutes to receive incentive all lanes cleared within 90 minutes to receive incentive payment.payment.

WSP Primary Trooper or designee keeps Comm advised of WSP Primary Trooper or designee keeps Comm advised of MIT times of the recovery. Can start/stop MIT clock as MIT times of the recovery. Can start/stop MIT clock as needed.needed.

Tow company must provide WSDOT with a completed MIT Tow company must provide WSDOT with a completed MIT Activation report for EVERY MIT activation, whether Activation report for EVERY MIT activation, whether successful or not successful. successful or not successful. – Original invoice and digital photos are required for successful Original invoice and digital photos are required for successful

activations.activations.

MIT Program SummaryMIT Program Summary

• MIT Activations since Jul 2007 – Dec 2011 = 90MIT Activations since Jul 2007 – Dec 2011 = 90

• Met 90 Minute Clearance GoalMet 90 Minute Clearance Goal

73 Successful activations (S)73 Successful activations (S)

12 Unsuccessful activations (U)12 Unsuccessful activations (U)

5 Cancelled activations5 Cancelled activations

• Average Clearance Time (S/U) = 69.8 minutesAverage Clearance Time (S/U) = 69.8 minutes

• Amount expended = $189,994Amount expended = $189,994