Develop a List of Critical Data for Traffic Incident Management and Request It from Connected Automated Vehicle Companies to Use During Implementation.
NCHRP Report Provided Lessons to Guide Emergency Responders in a Connected Automated Vehicle Ecosystem Based on Best Practice Reviews and Interviews.
Nationwide, United States
Integrating Traffic Incident Management and Connected, Automated Technology Communities: A Guide for Communicating and Connecting
Summary Information
The advent of Connected and Automated Vehicle (CAV) technologies is reshaping the roles and processes of emergency responders (ERs) to adapt to the evolving transportation landscape. This study developed a guide to prepare ERs for CAV deployment at local, regional, state, and national levels. The guide was created by synthesizing best practices and procedures currently used by emergency response organizations to manage CAV technologies, along with interviews with industry representatives and ERs. Given the multidisciplinary nature of ERs, including law enforcement, fire and rescue (including hazmat teams), Emergency Medical Services (EMS), towing and recovery specialists, and Traffic Management Center (TMC) operators, their collective strategy and activities are known as Traffic Incident Management (TIM).
- Develop a list of critical data for traffic incident management and request it from CAV companies to use during implementation. Standardizing data and technology is crucial for TIM and TMCs to effectively operate and monitor CAVs, necessitating a uniform SOP that integrates CAVs and relies on standardized vehicle design and data. This standardization, likely to occur at a national level, will be led by advocacy groups and national organizations to ensure responders can quickly identify and interact with these vehicles.
- Be proactive in the face of the development and deployment of CAV technologies. Interviewed TIM responders expressed concern about being reactive to CAV technology developments instead of guiding their safe introduction and preparing TIM procedures. They emphasize the need for proactive engagement with OEM and CAV communities, establishing communication channels, organizing demonstrations, and sharing safety data to adapt SOPs and ensure responders are equipped with necessary skills before new technologies are deployed.
- Build connections across TIM and CAV communities. This could strengthen connections between the TIM and CAV communities by partnering with existing advocacy, research, and industry groups. Building partnerships across private, government, TIM, and industry entities will facilitate knowledge sharing and communication through events like conferences and meetings, ensuring effective interaction and understanding of current and future developments.
- Align and coordinate TIM and ER practices with CAV manufacturer practices. This can result in a connection between departments (e.g., between developers and policy staff), which can ease the process of getting and addressing the feedback from communities.
Integrating Traffic Incident Management and Connected, Automated Technology Communities: A Guide for Communicating and Connecting
Communities: A Guide for Communicating and Connecting
