USFA Releases updated doc on Traffic Incident Management Systems

[Monty 35]

I noticed in a USFA press release that there is a new version of Traffic Incident Management Systems. I've only skimmed through it so far, but it looks very informative.

http://www.usfa.fema...ions/fa_330.pdf

Interesting piece on one of our favorite topics - lighting. It also references a 2008 study from SAE http://www.sae.org/s...inglamp0810.pdf

Some of the take aways are that emergency lighting provides two functions, requesting the right of way and warnings to motorists. It suggests that less lights should be used in the second case.

It also suggests having different intensities for day and night.

Not too surprisingly, it seems that blue is better at night, but quite good during the day too.

As warnings to motorists, less can be more - ie fewer lights can be more effective than lots of lights. This also makes it easier to see personnel on the road.

On a divided highway - only have lights facing oncoming traffic.

Sometimes, if we were just parked up on the road, we'd just use the 4 way flashers. However we now have a policy in place that we always use emergency lighting on scene - unless ordered otherwise. I wonder if things like this will slowly change the 'normal' way of operating / fitting out rigs. Time will tell ...

[drgripsthrowawaytowel 72]

The Florida Highway patrol did a study years ago regarding scene lighting and day/night differentials. If you're into human factors, it's quite the interesting read.

http://www.hendonpub.com/resources/articlearchive/details.aspx?ID=377