The problem of traffic congestion and traffic accidents is steadily increasing in the Phoenix area. Economic and safety concerns prevent the indiscriminate closing of roadways. Traffic management during incidents on the main arterials in the Phoenix metropolitan area is minimal. When an incident happens on the city streets the police close the street or lanes. There is little coordination or information exchanged across jurisdictional boundaries in regard to traffic management. The incident responders are not aware of existing road closures or the traffic impact generated by the incident. Usually there is little motorist notification, no signed detour routes or traffic safety measures taken at the incident scene. The consequence of these measures is a confused and angered motorist, motorist taking inappropriate detours, usually through residential areas, police resources being diverted to traffic control rather than investigation, extended delays, escalated safety hazards to the motorist and responders and a economic liability to the community. The AZTech partnership, with the Maricopa County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) taking the lead, is implementing a solution that will help maintain the safety of the motorists and emergency responders during incidents as well as improve the detrimental economic impact upon our community. The solution is the establishment and operation of the Regional Emergency Action Coordinating Team (REACT). REACT team members are rapid first responders to incidents within Maricopa County. The purpose of REACT is to assist local agencies within Maricopa County with traffic management for emergency situations. The team consists of Maricopa County Department of Transportation personnel who respond out 24 hours, 7 days a week to mainly, but not limited to, emergency traffic situations on arterial roadways. The prime directive of the team is to establish traffic management by setting up emergency lane/road closures, install and maintain signed detour routes and provide information to the motorist. The incident/traffic management will normally be accomplished through a Unified Command structure. REACT will be implemented in phases. The Phase 1 demonstration area will be in the northwest portion of the Phoenix metropolitan area. It will include the City of Peoria, City of Glendale and the unincorporated roads in District 3 of the Maricopa County Sheriff's area.
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