What is Next-Generation Traffic Incident Management (NextGen TIM): Technology for Saving Lives?

Next-Generation Traffic Incident Management technologies aim to increase traveler and responder safety, transforming response operations from routine to extraordinary. More than 6 million reportable crashes occur each year in the United States, resulting in 2 million injuries and more than 30,000 fatalities. Additionally, there are over 32 million disabled vehicles and countless incidents of roadway debris. Each of these events places responders and motorists at risk of secondary crashes. A planned and coordinated approach to handling these incidents is the essence of TIM. FHWA’s national TIM responder training program has successfully trained more than 600,000 responders to clear incidents collaboratively, safely, and quickly. In practice, TIM on all types of roadways has been shown to save lives, time, and money.

Technology for More Effective TIM

Today’s technology has the potential to leverage TIM responder training and enable incident responders to become more effective and efficient in their response duties. Clearing roadway incidents more quickly reduces exposure for incident responders and restores traffic for commerce, productivity, and quality of life for roadway users.

Technology such as smart emergency vehicle lighting can better inform roadway users about incidents, helping them avoid those locations or navigate around them more safely. Similarly, digital alerts can help responders at the scene of incidents be more aware and protected from the dangers of working near moving traffic. Use of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) is reducing the amount of time responders spend mapping crash scenes. New debris removal tools will enhance the safe removal of dangerous roadway objects.

BENEFITS

Increased Safety. NextGen TIM feeds a larger TIM role in the Safe Systems approach, and more specifically post-crash care, by creating a safe working environment for vital first responders and preventing secondary crashes through robust TIM practices.

Improved Operations. Integrating new and emerging technology, tools, and training can mitigate incident impacts from detection to roadway clearance.

Better Situational Awareness. Technology delivers timely and critical information to on-scene responders, remote support functions like transportation management centers, and roadway users who are approaching traffic incidents.

Learn more about this EDC-7 Innovation.

NextGen TIM for Saving Lives in New Jersey

Teams are currently being formed and work is underway to establish baseline assessments.

NextGen TIM Technology for Saving Lives: NEW AND NOTEWORTHY

NJ at the 2023 FHWA Virtual Summit

NJ at the 2023 FHWA Virtual Summit

The FHWA EDC-7 Virtual Summit, held February 14-16, 2023, featured several New Jersey initiatives.
NJDOT Wins 2022 America’s Transportation Award for Best Use of Technology and Innovation

NJDOT Wins 2022 America’s Transportation Award for Best Use of Technology and Innovation

New Jersey Department of Transportation has been recognized with a 2022 America’s Transportation Award in the category of best use of technology and innovation.
Innovation Spotlight: Testing and Deploying ITS Solutions for Safer Mobility and Operations

Innovation Spotlight: Testing and Deploying ITS Solutions for Safer Mobility and Operations

We spoke with Sue Catlett from NJDOT's Transportation Mobility, Planning and Research Group to get an update on Crowdsourcing, Weather Responsive Management and Traffic Incident
NextGen Traffic Incident Management (TIM) Webinar Series

NextGen Traffic Incident Management (TIM) Webinar Series

A series of FHWA-hosted webinars spotlights ongoing NextGen TIM implementations and best practices.
Developing Next Generation Traffic Incident Management in the Delaware Valley

Developing Next Generation Traffic Incident Management in the Delaware Valley

DVRPC's Traffic Incident Monitoring (TIM) platform provides system-wide traffic operators, first responders, and highway planners.
Final Report Released for the Connected Vehicles Program Pilot Testing of Technology for Distributing Road Service Safety Messages from Safety Service Patrols

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Connected Vehicles Program Pilot Testing of Technology for Safety Service Patrol Workers Continues

Connected Vehicles Program Pilot Testing of Technology for Safety Service Patrol Workers Continues

The pilot study continues to examine the effectiveness of connected vehicle technology to alert motorists to Safety Service Patrol (SSP) workers at an incident site.
New Jersey Pilots Connected Vehicles Program  to Protect Safety Service Patrol Staff

New Jersey Pilots Connected Vehicles Program to Protect Safety Service Patrol Staff

This study will examine the effectiveness of connected vehicle technology to alert motorists to Safety Service Patrol (SSP) workers at an incident site.