DEPARTMENT: Transportation & Capital Improvements Department
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Mike Frisbie, P.E., Director
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Traffic Incident Management Plan for Area Highways
SUMMARY:
The Transportation & Capital Improvements Department (TCI) will provide a briefing on Traffic Incident Management on area highways and recent coordination with the San Antonio Police Department (SAPD), Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), and other area stakeholders.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
In April 2016, a group made up of representatives from several local transportation, commerce, and public safety agencies including City of San Antonio TCI staff traveled to Houston, Texas at the invitation of Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff to learn about Houston's SafeClear program for rapid removal of stalled or disabled vehicles from Houston freeways. The goal of this program is to remove stalled or abandoned vehicles that can cause increased congestion as well as potential safety problems as quickly as possible to minimize their impact on the rest of the travelling public. A follow-up meeting was held at the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce in May 2016 to review what the group had learned in Houston and identify potential next steps for implementing a similar program in San Antonio and Bexar County.
In an effort to address the dangers posed to motorists by stranded vehicles on area highways, over the last several months, SAPD has worked in coordination with San Antonio Fire Department (SAFD), TxDOT and Bexar County officials to identify and implement strategies to address this issue. Vehicles that create an immediate traffic hazard, such as those that partially block a lane of traffic or limit visibility for oncoming motorists are removed immediately. The SAPD Traffic Section has identified the removal of abandoned vehicles as a priority and works closely with the TransGuide office to identify abandoned vehicles on the roadway so that ...
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