Highway accidents represent approximately 10-15% of the incidents occurring along urban freeways. Millions of dollars and resources are wasted each year due to delay and congestion associated with highway accidents. For transportation agencies, alternative approaches are being used which reduce the delay impacts associated with handling highway accidents. These means include the incorporation of key policies or regulations related to the handling of vehicles under accident conditions such as: "quick clearance", "hold harmless", abandoned vehicle limitations, restrictions on usage of flashing lights on emergency vehicles, requirements for drivers staying with incapacitated vehicles, and "death certification" regulations.Technology improvements are also providing significant savings in hastening the accident investigation process. These improvements include: "total station surveying" and more versatile computerized equipment to record and report traffic accident data. In addition, the implementation of accident investigation sites off the road and near or next to the freeway has aided in speeding up field investigation time and minimizing delays associated with highway accidents. The effect of these policies, procedures, and improvements is to open up the highway to pre-incident conditions as soon as possible, thereby significantly decreasing delays to the traffic stream and saving motorists millions of dollars each year. (A)
Samenvatting