NATIONAL UNIFIED GOAL (NUG)
TALKING POINTS
Why do we need a National Unified Goal for Traffic Incident Management?
Improved Traffic Incident Management—TIM—Programs are urgently needed to:
· Reduce Traffic Congestion
o Traffic incidents account for about one-quarter of all congestion on U.S. roadways.
o For every minute that a freeway travel lane is blocked during a peak travel period, four minutes of travel delay results after the incident is cleared.
o Safer, more efficient traffic incident management will reduce congestion by reducing incident duration and preventing secondary incidents.
· Increase Responder Safety
o One of the leading causes of death and injury for emergency responders is being struck by vehicles while working alongside the roadway.
o Improved incident management reduces responder risk by improving traffic control at incident scenes and reducing incident duration and risk exposure.
What is the National Unified Goal for Traffic Incident Management?
· The National Unified Goal (“The NUG”) is a GOAL that is being formally adopted by the national organizations that represent the many disciplines that respond to traffic incidents.
· The National Unified Goal is:
o Responder Safety;
o Safe, Quick Clearance; and
o Prompt, Reliable, Interoperable Communications.
How will the National Unified Goal be achieved?
· The three major objectives of the National Unified Goal by implementing 18 strategies. The National Traffic Incident Management Coalition (NTIMC) is providing national leadership for implementation.
· Some of the major strategies include:
o Recommended practices for multidisciplinary TIM operations and communications;
o Multidisciplinary TIM training;
o Goals for performance and progress;
o Promotion of beneficial technologies; and
o Partnerships to promote driver awareness.
Will the NUG be Mandatory?
· No. The NUG is a unified policy statement that recommends strategies and goals.
· TIM Partners at the State and local levels will determine for themselves how to implement strategies such as multidisciplinary procedures, joint training programs, and performance goals.
What is Traffic Incident Management?
· Traffic Incident Management – TIM – refers to the Procedures and Practices used to respond to traffic incidents.
Who is involved in Traffic Incident Management?
· The core disciplines involved in routine traffic incidents include:
o Emergency Communications (9-1-1)
o Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
o Fire & Rescue
o Law Enforcement
o Towing
o Transportation
· Major traffic incidents may involve additional types of emergency responders and partners. Examples include:
o Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT)
o Medical Examiners
o Military
o News Media
· Traffic Incident Management Programs (TIM Programs) bring stakeholders together to better coordinate their procedures and practices.
What are TIM Programs?
· TIM Programs are multidisciplinary partnerships dedicated to improved TIM Procedures and Practices. TIM Programs may be formed at the Multi-State, State, regional and local levels.
· Working together through TIM Programs, Traffic Incident Responders plan together, work together, train together, practice together, and work side-by-side every day to cooperatively manage traffic incidents.
· While they focus on management of routine traffic incidents, TIM Programs build strong cooperative working relationships that enhance preparedness for managing the transportation impacts of all types of emergencies.
For more Information
More information about the NTIMC's National Unified Goal for Traffic Incident Management is available on the NTIMC web site at http://www.timcoalition.org.
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