Fall has arrived! Take a look at what's been happening around TIME in Q3

2023 3rd Quarter Newsletter

Welcome to the latest edition of the TIME Q3 Newsletter!

I am Jason Josey, Co-Chair of the Traffic Incident Management Enhancement (TIME) Task Force, and it's my privilege to extend a warm welcome to all our dedicated readers. As you delve into the articles within this newsletter, I want to emphasize and reinforce our unwavering commitment to enhancing incident management on the bustling interstates and roadways of our great state.

Back in 2002, the Georgia Department of Transportation took a momentous step forward by establishing the TIME Task Force. From its inception, our mission has remained steadfast: to promote and champion the adoption of best practices in incident management. Our core principles are centered around achieving rapid clearance of incidents, nurturing inter-agency collaboration, and, above all, ensuring the safety of our invaluable first responders who serve on the frontlines.

The TIME Task Force recognizes that knowledge and training are our greatest assets. By prioritizing responder education and networking, we are working diligently to improve roadway clearance times and reduce the occurrence of secondary incidents. Our aim is to create safer roads, not only for the emergency personnel who protect and serve but also for the motoring public who rely on our commitment to safety.

As you read the content in this newsletter, we hope you'll gain valuable insights into our ongoing efforts and initiatives, and the incredible work being done by our dedicated TIME Task Force members. Each article you read is a testament to our collective determination to make our roadways safer, more efficient, and more secure.

Thank you for being part of our TIME Task Force community. Together, we can continue making a positive impact on the world of incident management—one article, one initiative, and one shared commitment at a time.

Wishing you an informative and inspiring read!

Warm regards,

Jason Josey, Co-Chair, TIME Task Force

Macon TRIP Go-Live

Georgia’s Towing and Recovery Incentive Program (TRIP) has expanded south beyond Metro Atlanta! On August 1, 2023, the new expansion area opened with three zones serving the city of Macon and surrounding Bibb County. The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), along with assistance from analysts and subject-matter experts, determined that the region was well suited for TRIP expansion and began the process of working closely with local emergency response agencies to garner support for program expansion. This new team agreed that the program should expand and preparation began.

Every qualified heavy towing and recovery provider in the area was notified of the expansion and afforded the opportunity to register for a TRIP recovery zone. All agencies and the selected towing companies were provided training on the program and what their individual roles would be before, during, and following every TRIP event.

TRIP in Bibb County will be a collaborative and fully cooperative effort between the Georgia Department of Public Safety, GDOT, the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office, Macon-Bibb County Fire Department, and the Coordinated Highway Assistance and Maintenance Program (CHAMP) as well as Bibb County E-911 and Bibb County Emergency Management Agency.

Three towing companies that registered for the program were selected based on their qualifications, equipment, and other factors. The following towers cover the Macon area:

Zone 21: Kitchens Garage

Zone 22: Ackerman Wrecker Service

Zone 23: Mike Adams Towing & Air Cushion Recovery

The selected towers met with stakeholders within GDOT and TRIP leadership in July to become oriented with the program, and the zones officially went live on August 1, 2023. TRIP in Bibb County will provide an enhanced level of safety to emergency responders and the motoring public who travel through and around the area.

To view the official TRIP Recovery Zones and for more details, visit this page.

2023 Executive Briefing Breakfast Welcomes Guests from All Over Georgia

Thank you to everyone who was took part in the 2023 Georgia Traffic Incident Management Enhancement (TIME) Task Force Executive Briefing Breakfast on August 16. The invite-only event welcomed dozens of first responders, and other TIM stakeholders to discuss challenges, improvements, and the future of TIM in Georgia. Georgia Department of Transportation Commissioner Russell McMurry was the keynote speaker, and invitees also heard from Greg Morris, Federal Highway Administration Safety, ITS & Traffic Management Engineer. We look forward to our next Executive Briefing Breakfast in 2025!

We thank our esteemed sponsors for their ongoing support.

Interested in sponsoring our next Executive Briefing Breakfast or annual conference? Contact us for information at info@timetaskforce.com.

Q3 Meeting Recap

After a successful in-person meeting in June, the TIME Task Force returned to meeting virtually on September 21 for the Third Quarterly Meeting of 2023. The Q3 Meeting featured a great line up of speakers who presented on a variety of interesting and impactful topics, from upcoming state and national traffic safety campaigns to CSX Police and Railroad Safety. Thank you to all who attended (more than 40 people). Some highlights from the meeting include:

Jeff Cotter, Area 3 TIM Analyst, AtkinsRéalis, presented on TIM Teams, TRIP expansion and highlights, and Strategic Highway Research Program 2 training updates across the state of Georgia.

Ivan Lichtenstein, Communications Committee Chair, AECOM, spoke about upcoming state and national campaigns being supported by the TIME Task Force.

Jim Kelly, Program Manager for the 55+ Driver Safety Program, Georgia Department of Public Health, presented on 55+ Driver Safety and Georgia's Yellow Dot Program, which is funded by the Governor's Office of Highway Safety.

Thomas McDaniel, Senior Special Agent, Police Department for CSX Transportation, talked about the railroad police department and their role in protecting rail infrastructure and freight by working with other agencies along with opportunities for railroad safety training for law enforcement, first responders, and others.

Missed the meeting? View a recording of it on the website (posted with the newsletter on the Media page - stay tuned!)

The next quarterly meeting is Thursday, November 2, 2023, and it will be held in-person! Visit the event on our calendar for more details. We look forward to seeing you there!

Get Notifications: Are you a member who needs to be added to our email distribution list so that you receive our meeting invitations and training notices? Email us at info@timetaskforce.com.

TIME Task Force Conference:

One year away (save the date)!

Upcoming Q4 in-person meeting

Join us on Thursday, November 2, 2023, at 11 a.m. for the 4th Quarter in-person meeting at the Taliaferro County Senior Center. Seating is limited, so register today via the event link here.

Questions? Email info@timetaskforce.com.

Want to become a TIME Task Force member?

Does your agency have interest in joining the Traffic Incident Management Enhancement (TIME) Task Force? Being part of the TIME Task Force is easy and free! Agencies, departments, and businesses can join by signing the Georgia Open Roads Policy thereby making the commitment to support quick clearance and scene safety/management that helps keep travelers moving and responders safe. Once you are a member, you can join in on quarterly meetings and attend our annual conference. Please visit this link to download the Open Roads Policy, read more information, and join us today. We would love to have you!

We would like to send a HUGE THANK YOU to our newest

TIME Task Force members for Q2 and Q3!

Holiday Traffic Incident Management Safety

It is no surprise to traffic incident management (TIM) professionals that roadway crashes on holidays are at extremely high levels. The combination of traveling long distances together with celebrations that accompany a holiday creates a deadly time on our roadways. Unfortunately, this rise in vehicle crashes, resulting in serious injury and death, means that those tasked with the responsibility of responding to these crashes are also in danger.

With that in mind, it is important to remember these basic responder safety protocols, including:

Pre-incident planning
Vehicle positioning considering the safety of those at the scene
High visibility safety apparel, seatbelt use, avoiding loose clothing, etc.
Quick clearance concepts
Traffic control and scene safety
Scene lighting
Advanced warning and queue protection

When discussing TIM during the holidays, it would also be helpful to know the estimated fatality numbers for major holidays. Here are the injury and fatalities estimates for the 2023–2024 holiday periods according to the National Safety Council.

New Year’s Day – 408
Memorial Day – 469
Independence Day – 619
Labor Day – 455
Thanksgiving – 518
Christmas Day – 346

In September, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced its early estimates of traffic fatalities for the first half of 2023, estimating that traffic fatalities declined for the fifth straight quarter. An estimated 19,515 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes, representing a decrease of about 3.3 percent as compared to 20,190 fatalities in the first half of 2022. Although encouraging data, TIM professionals know through experience that they are responding to far too many roadway incidents where loved ones are not returning home to their families. This is especially true on holiday weekends where there is a significant increase in fatal vehicle crashes. Responders should always have safety at the top of their minds, but please be especially vigilant on a holiday weekend.

TIME at the GOHS Conference

The TIME Task Force attended the biennial Governor's Office of Highway Safety Conference in Savannah in August. We made connections with vendors and other attendees and have some great collaborations lined up in the future. We look forward to attending again in 2025!

Highlighting State and National Campaigns

This quarter has been full of campaigns, ranging from summertime safe driving tips to National Stop on Red Week, that have focused on bringing awareness to traffic and roadway safety. There are two blog posts on the website about speeding enforcement and summer safety along with tips for safe driving (which are applicable during any season). Some of the national campaigns found on the TIME Task Force’s social media pages include Fourth of July and Labor Day Impaired Driving Awareness (the major holidays during the quarter), Child Passenger Safety Week, National Seat Check Saturday, National Vehicle Theft Prevention Month, and National Tire Safety Week.

Check out our social media channels and website for more details and to view this content. We regularly share content to help inform the public about traffic safety, various laws impacting motorists and first responders, and how to protect fellow motorists and citizens.

Upcoming National Campaigns (in Q4)

Along with Pedestrian Safety Month, there are several upcoming national campaigns. In October, National Teen Driver Safety Week (Oct. 15-21), National School Bus Safety Week (Oct. 16-20), and Halloween impaired driving round out the month. In November, the Thanksgiving holiday is the main campaign with a few key messaging periods, including Blackout Wednesday, Thanksgiving Holiday Travel, and the Pre-Holiday Season impaired driving campaign. Finally, December is focused on the Winter Holiday Season and Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving through the New Year’s Holiday.

Stay tuned and follow us on social media for updates and to watch for these campaigns and more!

Upcoming Events and TIM Team Meetings

Get involved in Georgia’s Traffic Incident Management (TIM) community by exploring our upcoming events for responders or TIM-related stakeholders at timetaskforce.com/events. In some cases, you can receive POST credit and continuing education units. Here's a sneak peek of what's in store:

TIM Team Meetings: Responders and TIM-related stakeholders meet to analyze local TIM trends, tackle challenges, and explore solutions. Dive into TIM best practices with presentations from responders, transportation experts, and our TIM network to enhance responder safety skills.
Strategic Highway Research Program 2 (SHRP2) Training: Elevate your TIM skills with this SHRP2 hands-on training, including simulated crashes and spills. Collaborate with your colleagues to sharpen your response strategies in the field.
Responder Training: Boost your expertise in incident zone safety, quick clearance strategies, livestock crash management, and effective communication. Equip yourself with essential knowledge to navigate high-pressure situations.

Don't miss out on these valuable opportunities to advance your skills and contribute to safer roads. Check our calendar to stay updated and engaged with the TIME Task Force community!

Find a TIM Team Near You!

Did you know the TIME Task Force has about 51 active TIM teams across Georgia in 2022? This impressive number makes Georgia the state with the most teams nationwide recognized by the Federal Highway Administration!

There are currently four TIM areas and 15 regional TIM teams throughout those areas. Please email TIMteams@dot.ga.gov if you are interested in joining one of our TIM teams, hosting a meeting, or being a TIM champion in your area.