09/02/2025 12:07:04
LEA 720 Phase 3
What is a taper in traffic control?
The taper is the transition area where a driver must adjust their travel path. Tapers
are also used to transition traffic back to its normal path of travel at the end of the
area.
How should Tapers be used?
• A taper should encompass as much equipment as is available on the scene
• Consider roadway speed - the higher the speed the longer the taper
• Tapers should be set up to accommodate for sight obstacles
• Try to maximize the spacing covered with the cones available at that time
• Block as much of the roadway as needed and extend the taper out as far as
possible to allow drivers adequate time to merge
• Most high-speed highways in Wisconsin use a skip line distance of 50 feet from the
start of one line to the start of the next (or from the end of one to the end of the next)
What is the difference between upstream and downstream in vehicle crashes?
Upstream is going towards the accident, downstream is away.
What is the upstream buffer?
A space after upstream taper and before the incident area that gives extra protection
to emergency responders.
What is the downstream buffer space?
Area in termination space that gives emergency personnel extra protection in
incident area before the downstream taper.
What is the blocking vehicle?
An emergency vehicle in a taper to block traffic from staying in lane.
What is the activity area and what is in it?
Area where emergency personnel work. Has upstream buffer space and incident
area.
What is the incident area?
Area where the incident ended up.
What are the emergency responders that aid in traffic incident management?
• Law Enforcement
• Fire Service
• Rescue
• EMS (Ambulance)
Where do the emergency responders park in traffic incident management?
• Law Enforcement
- Early warning at the beginning of the transition area or positioned prior to the
upstream buffer space downstream of the blocking vehicle
• Fire Service
- Upstream at the end of activity area buffer space in the incident space
• Rescue
- In the activity area or in the downstream buffer space
• EMS (Ambulance)
- Incident space, downstream of the actual event
What are the two ways to park as an officer in traffic incident management?
Linear, and angled usually at 20-45 degree angle.
What are some considerations when positioning a vehicle in Traffic Incident
Management?
, 09/02/2025 12:07:04
- Current conditions, such as roadway geometry, sight distance, weather, etc.
- Safety of other responders, crash victims and passing motorists
- How vehicle positioning impacts vehicle visibility, including vehicle markings and
vehicle emergency lighting
How does scene breakdown impact traffic conditions?
During scene breakdown and demobilization, the speed of traffic typically begins to
pick up and there is less traffic control protecting responders. It is important that a
de-commit plan be developed to remove personnel, apparatus, victims, bystanders
and vehicles safely from the scene.
How are minor, intermediate, and major traffic incidents defined?
Minor incidents last less than 30 minutes, like disabled vehicles or minor crashes.
Intermediate incidents last between 30 minutes and 2 hours, accidents involve
multiple vehicles and personal injuries
Major incidents last longer than 2 hours, fatalities or serious crashes.
What are Secondary Crashes?
Secondary Crashes are crashes that occur within the incident scene or within the
queue or backup, including the opposite direction, resulting from an original incident
What is Wisconsin's move over law?
Wisconsin Motorists are require to move over or slow down when approaching an
emergency or maintenance vehicle stopped on the side of the road.
Some things to consider when working alongside highways?
§Never trust approaching traffic in either direction
§Never turn your back to approaching traffic
§Look before you move
§Plan an escape route
§Don't allow yourself to get tunnel vision, maintain a view of the "big picture"
Maintain knowledge of current weather conditions and how it may affect driving
and/or visibility
What are the 6 initial scene response objectives in Traffic Incident Management?
§High-visibility safety apparel use
§Position your vehicle to establish initial block
§Conduct scene size-up
§Stabilize scene and provide medical attention to injured persons
§Initiate ICS and/or Unified Command
§Establish a Traffic Incident Management Area (TIMA)
What are the 10 ten scene size-up considerations n Traffic Incident Management?
§Location
▪ Incident classification
§Public works and/or highway dept
▪ Vehicles
§Injured persons
▪ Other safety concerns
§Hazardous materials
▪ Towing and recovery
§Traffic conditions
▪ Additional resources
How do public safety communications/ dispatch centers aid in Traffic Incident
Management?
LEA 720 Phase 3
What is a taper in traffic control?
The taper is the transition area where a driver must adjust their travel path. Tapers
are also used to transition traffic back to its normal path of travel at the end of the
area.
How should Tapers be used?
• A taper should encompass as much equipment as is available on the scene
• Consider roadway speed - the higher the speed the longer the taper
• Tapers should be set up to accommodate for sight obstacles
• Try to maximize the spacing covered with the cones available at that time
• Block as much of the roadway as needed and extend the taper out as far as
possible to allow drivers adequate time to merge
• Most high-speed highways in Wisconsin use a skip line distance of 50 feet from the
start of one line to the start of the next (or from the end of one to the end of the next)
What is the difference between upstream and downstream in vehicle crashes?
Upstream is going towards the accident, downstream is away.
What is the upstream buffer?
A space after upstream taper and before the incident area that gives extra protection
to emergency responders.
What is the downstream buffer space?
Area in termination space that gives emergency personnel extra protection in
incident area before the downstream taper.
What is the blocking vehicle?
An emergency vehicle in a taper to block traffic from staying in lane.
What is the activity area and what is in it?
Area where emergency personnel work. Has upstream buffer space and incident
area.
What is the incident area?
Area where the incident ended up.
What are the emergency responders that aid in traffic incident management?
• Law Enforcement
• Fire Service
• Rescue
• EMS (Ambulance)
Where do the emergency responders park in traffic incident management?
• Law Enforcement
- Early warning at the beginning of the transition area or positioned prior to the
upstream buffer space downstream of the blocking vehicle
• Fire Service
- Upstream at the end of activity area buffer space in the incident space
• Rescue
- In the activity area or in the downstream buffer space
• EMS (Ambulance)
- Incident space, downstream of the actual event
What are the two ways to park as an officer in traffic incident management?
Linear, and angled usually at 20-45 degree angle.
What are some considerations when positioning a vehicle in Traffic Incident
Management?
, 09/02/2025 12:07:04
- Current conditions, such as roadway geometry, sight distance, weather, etc.
- Safety of other responders, crash victims and passing motorists
- How vehicle positioning impacts vehicle visibility, including vehicle markings and
vehicle emergency lighting
How does scene breakdown impact traffic conditions?
During scene breakdown and demobilization, the speed of traffic typically begins to
pick up and there is less traffic control protecting responders. It is important that a
de-commit plan be developed to remove personnel, apparatus, victims, bystanders
and vehicles safely from the scene.
How are minor, intermediate, and major traffic incidents defined?
Minor incidents last less than 30 minutes, like disabled vehicles or minor crashes.
Intermediate incidents last between 30 minutes and 2 hours, accidents involve
multiple vehicles and personal injuries
Major incidents last longer than 2 hours, fatalities or serious crashes.
What are Secondary Crashes?
Secondary Crashes are crashes that occur within the incident scene or within the
queue or backup, including the opposite direction, resulting from an original incident
What is Wisconsin's move over law?
Wisconsin Motorists are require to move over or slow down when approaching an
emergency or maintenance vehicle stopped on the side of the road.
Some things to consider when working alongside highways?
§Never trust approaching traffic in either direction
§Never turn your back to approaching traffic
§Look before you move
§Plan an escape route
§Don't allow yourself to get tunnel vision, maintain a view of the "big picture"
Maintain knowledge of current weather conditions and how it may affect driving
and/or visibility
What are the 6 initial scene response objectives in Traffic Incident Management?
§High-visibility safety apparel use
§Position your vehicle to establish initial block
§Conduct scene size-up
§Stabilize scene and provide medical attention to injured persons
§Initiate ICS and/or Unified Command
§Establish a Traffic Incident Management Area (TIMA)
What are the 10 ten scene size-up considerations n Traffic Incident Management?
§Location
▪ Incident classification
§Public works and/or highway dept
▪ Vehicles
§Injured persons
▪ Other safety concerns
§Hazardous materials
▪ Towing and recovery
§Traffic conditions
▪ Additional resources
How do public safety communications/ dispatch centers aid in Traffic Incident
Management?
