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Traffic incident management enhancement (TIME) program

Crashes, spilled loads and stalled vehicles are all examples of traffic incidents. Here in Wisconsin and throughout the nation, these situations and the traffic congestion caused by them account for approximately one-third of all delays on our highway system. Traffic incidents also significantly impact the safety of both motorists and emergency responders.

Traffic Incident Management, or TIM, is a process by which public safety and transportation agencies collaborate to apply human, technological and other resources to reduce the duration and impacts of traffic incidents. TIM promotes institutional relationships through formal and informal processes that integrate multi-partner, on-scene operations and communications.

Wisconsin recognizes the importance of TIM in maintaining the operational safety and efficiency of the state’s roadways. The TIME program is a comprehensive multi-agency, multi-discipline program, led by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT), dedicated to coordinating and enhancing traffic incident management in Wisconsin. Originally initiated in 1995 in the SE Region of the state, the TIME program was expanded statewide in 2006 in an effort to coordinate traffic incident management activities that were occurring at various levels across the state. Below is an overview of recent TIME Program activities and initiatives.

WisDOT Emergency Traffic Control and Scene Management Guidelines

The WisDOT Emergency Traffic Control and Scene Management Guidelines were established to provide incident responders within the state of Wisconsin a uniform approach to emergency traffic control and scene management. Having a uniform approach will help provide the safest possible work environment for all Wisconsin incident responders, while minimizing the risk for secondary crashes. The guidelines are intended to be dynamic and the application of methods presented may vary slightly based on the type of incident being responded to.

Key points to remember when reviewing the guidelines are:

The document serves as a guideline for incident responders and is not a procedure. The guidelines were developed with input from a multi-discipline group and are intended for use by all incident responders. The majority of the information contained in the guidelines is applicable to any traffic incident that occurs on any highway. The guidelines are flexible and can be adapted based on the type of incident being responded to. As no two traffic incidents are the same, experience and judgment should be applied in each emergency situation. The guidelines use the Incident Command System (ICS) as a foundation and support that the use of ICS at every incident scene is absolutely necessary.

WisDOT Emergency Traffic Control and Scene Management Guidelines (3.3 MB)

Due to the dynamic nature of traffic incident management and corresponding guidelines, it is recognized and expected that periodic revisions to the guidelines will be required. Emergency responders are encouraged to submit suggestions and/or recommended changes as the guidelines are applied in the field. Also, any errors or omissions that responders may encounter when using the guidelines should be promptly brought to the attention of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s State Traffic Incident Management Engineer.

Error/Omission Notification and Revision Request Form

In addition to the Emergency Traffic Control and Scene Management Guidelines document, supplemental materials have been developed to assist with both training and outreach efforts. Quick Reference Visor Card – This 8.5” x 5.5” laminated visor card highlights key points of the guidelines and is intended to provide responders an easy to use quick reference if needed while on-scene at a traffic incident. Informational Overview Presentation – This PowerPoint presentation, complete with video clips, highlights the impacts of traffic incidents and provides an overview of the need, purpose and content of the Emergency Traffic Control and Scene Management Guidelines. Training Presentation – This comprehensive PowerPoint presentation covers all the material found in the guidelines and may be used for training purposes. An instructor manual is included with the presentation.

All of these materials, including the guidelines, are being offered free of charge from WisDOT and can be obtained using the Materials Order Form.

Materials Order Form

Move Over Law Public Outreach Campaign

One of the most dangerous places for emergency responders and maintenance personnel is along the side of the road. Each year hundreds of these hard working men and women are injured or killed by passing motorists while working along the nation’s highways. In 2001, Wisconsin passed a law designed to protect law enforcement officers, emergency responders, tow operators and highway maintenance personnel who are conducting business on Wisconsin’s roadways.

It is called the Move Over Law and the concept is simple. If a motorist sees a vehicle on the side of the road with its emergency lights flashing, the motorist is required to move out of the lane closest to the vehicle if possible. If a safe lane change is not possible, or the motorist is traveling on a two-lane roadway, they are required to slow their vehicle, maintaining a safe speed for traffic conditions, and drive at a reduced speed until completely past the vehicle.

Motorists caught violating the Move Over Law will be assessed three demerit points on their license and receive a $249 fine. In addition, if a motorist fails to obey the Move Over Law and is involved in a crash, their driver’s license will be suspended, and they may face up to seven years in prison if someone is hurt or killed.

Over the past couple of years, a priority of the TIME Program has been to increase the public’s awareness of the Move Over Law. Multiple outreach materials have been developed including an outreach brochure, a poster and Move Over Law bumper stickers.

• Move Over Law Brochure  (557 KB)
• Move Over Law Poster  (1.3 MB)
• Move Over Law Materials Order Form (345 KB)

TIME Partners

TIME Contacts

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You will need the Adobe Reader (provided free of charge) to view PDF files. For more information about getting your free copy of the Adobe Reader, visit WisDOT's Software information page.

You will need Microsoft Word to view Word files. If you do not have a copy of Microsoft Word installed on your computer, you can use the Microsoft Word Viewer (provided free of charge) to view Word files. For more information about getting your free copy of Microsoft Word Viewer, visit WisDOT's Software information page.

Questions about the content of this page:
Traffic Operations Center, statewide.toc@dot.state.wi.us
Last modified: June 26, 2008