Safety
As traffic increases in Central Oklahoma, so do incidents. Effective incident management tools are utilized to keep our transportation system working.
With increasing population and employment through the year 2035, traffic will also increase in Central Oklahoma. As travel demand grows, traffic incidents are more likely to occur.
A traffic incident is defined as any non-recurring event that causes a reduction in roadway capacity or an abnormal increase in demand, which can include crashes, disabled vehicles, road maintenance and reconstruction projects, or special events.
Responding to traffic incidents is not a new concept. However, it is important to manage the response efficiently. By doing so, victims receive help more quickly and the chance for secondary incidents decreases. Many efforts, including “Quick Clearance” legislation and the designation of alternate routes, help make incident management more effective in Central Oklahoma.
Security
To ensure effective coordination and communication in case of an emergency, the federal government has mandated the use of the National Incident Management System by any federal, state or local agency involved in emergency response.
Due to recent events, the security of transportation infrastructure components during emergencies has moved to the forefront of everyone’s mind. In fact, current federal transportation law – the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient, Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) – identified security as a stand-alone planning factor.
Transportation facilities and services are not only crucial to maintaining mobility during the time of a natural or man-made disaster and emergency, but are also important factors in supporting the region’s economy and preserving its quality of life.
Roads, bridges, public transit, airports, and railroads are all critical parts of the transportation system in Central Oklahoma. ACOG is therefore involved in security related regional efforts, such as the development of a Regional Evacuation Plan.
