Integrating public safety and highway operations : a policy framework and analysis. Paper prepared for the Federal Highway Administration’s “National Dialogue on Transportation Operations.”

The white paper that this summary refers to is one of a series that identifies opportunities to improve the operation and management of our nation's transportation system. The summary notes that transportation agencies must ensure that highways are accessible when incidents occur, and incident information is conveyed accurately to public safety organizations. Federal transportation policies need to change the willingness and capability of the public safety community to embrace highway mobility objectives. Two options are available. One is to work within the public safety community to gain its "buy-in" by demonstrating that transportation can be a trusted partner. The other option is to impose accountability through external performance mandates, possibly using incentives to help bring about change.