When Seconds Count: The Complex Orchestra Behind Interstate Highway Towing on Arizona’s Busiest Corridors
Every day, thousands of vehicles traverse Arizona’s Interstate 17 and Interstate 10 corridors, two of the state’s most critical transportation arteries. When a breakdown or accident occurs on these busy highways, what appears to be a simple tow truck response is actually a sophisticated multi-agency coordination effort designed to restore traffic flow as safely and quickly as possible.
The Foundation: Traffic Incident Management (TIM)
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) defines TIM as a planned and coordinated multi-disciplinary process to detect, respond to and clear traffic incidents so that traffic flow may be restored as safely and quickly as possible. In Arizona, this coordinated approach has evolved into a comprehensive system that brings together multiple agencies and private sector partners.
Led by the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS), the AZTech TIM Coalition is a multi-disciplinary traffic incident management partnership including state and local police, fire agencies, state and local transportation agencies, metropolitan planning offices and towing companies in the Phoenix metropolitan region to share ideas, lessons learned, best practices and knowledge to foster regional incident management.
Key Players in the Coordination Network
The Arizona TIM program is made up of a consortium of Federal, State, County, Local Government agencies as well as private industry partners such as tow and utility companies. This includes Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS), local fire departments, emergency medical services, and contracted towing companies.
The coordination becomes particularly critical on Arizona’s major interstate corridors. Interstate 17 (I-17) is a north–south Interstate Highway located entirely within the US state of Arizona. I-17’s southern terminus lies in Phoenix, at I-10/US 60 and its northern terminus is in Flagstaff, at I-40. In the Phoenix metropolitan area, it is mostly known as the Black Canyon Freeway, however, the southern 4.16 miles (6.69 km) are part of the Maricopa Freeway.
The Response Process
When an incident occurs on I-17 or I-10, the response follows a carefully orchestrated process. ‘TMC Incident Dispatch Coordination’ formulates and manages an incident response that takes into account the incident potential, incident impacts, and resources required for incident management. It provides information to support dispatch and routing of emergency response and service vehicles as well as coordination with other cooperating agencies.
Efforts of the TIM include the development of multidisciplinary TIM procedures with a focus on notification, response and clearance time goals. The TIM recognizes that, “Every 1 minute of blockage results in 4 minutes of delay,” therefore there is a need to educate the public on the Quick Clearance Law (ARS 28-674) and the Move Over Law (28-775) to protect first responders and roadway travelers.
Training and Certification Requirements
Professional towing operators working on Arizona’s interstate system must meet strict training requirements. Tow truck drivers utilized by DPS shall; complete a four-hour block of training entitled SHRP2 National Traffic Incident Management Responder Training, within three months after the TSA has been awarded and/or within 90 days of the date the individual tow truck driver starts to perform work under the TSA.
The four-hour, in-person training brings police, firefighters, transportation, towing, medical personnel and other incident responders together to engage in interactive training and foster working relationships. They learn how to work together in a coordinated manner from the moment the first emergency call is made to final scene clearance.
Local Expertise: On Time Emergency Roadside and Battery Service
Companies like On Time Emergency Roadside and Battery Service play a crucial role in this coordinated response system. On Time Emergency Roadside and Battery Service provides top of the line roadside assistance and towing in the Maricopa County, AZ area. Since opening our doors, we’ve been committed to providing service of the highest quality, paying particular attention to working efficiently while keeping the lines of communication with our clients clear and concise.
When you need reliable assistance on Arizona’s interstate corridors, choosing an experienced towing company maricopa county ensures you’re working with professionals who understand the coordination requirements and safety protocols essential for interstate operations. We provide 24/7 roadside assistance to our customers. We have a team of experienced technicians who can help you with a flat tire, a dead battery, or any other problem you may have while on the road.
Technology and Communication
Coordination of first responders and technology allows the responders and their agencies to be better poised to improve the collection of performance measures data and CAD-to-CAD (computer aided dispatch) data exchange, and promotes better onsite communications among the different agencies responding. Coordinated responder communications and interoperable data exchange fosters better, more prompt and reliable agency communications with the media and the public for safer and more quick clearance times.
Safety and Legal Requirements
Arizona’s Move Over Law plays a critical role in protecting both responders and motorists. Please be aware of Arizona’s Move Over Law. If you see flashing lights, it is the law to move over one lane to allow for additional space or, if you are unable to move over due to other vehicles, you must slow down, or you can face a fine of at least $150. This law is to protect stranded motorists, road and highway workers, roadside-assistance providers, emergency responders and aw enforcement officers.
The Future of Interstate Coordination
The region’s TIM Coalition goals include having a planned and coordinated multi-agency and multi-disciplinary approach to detect, respond to, and remove traffic incidents so that traffic flow may be returned to normal as safely and rapidly as possible. Successful TIM procedures will decrease the length and effects of traffic incidents while improving the safety of motorists, crash victims and emergency responders.
The multi-agency coordination system operating on Arizona’s I-17 and I-10 corridors represents a sophisticated approach to highway incident management. Through careful planning, extensive training, and seamless communication between agencies and private sector partners, this system continues to evolve to meet the growing demands of one of America’s fastest-growing metropolitan areas. For motorists traveling these critical corridors, understanding this coordination effort provides reassurance that when help is needed, a well-trained, coordinated response team is ready to assist.