BEAR Scotland Case Studies
TRUNK ROAD INCIDENT SUPPORT SERVICE
TRUNK ROAD INCIDENT SUPPORT SERVICE KEEPS TRAFFIC MOVING
BEAR Scotland has introduced a Trunk Road Incident Support Service (TRISS) to patrol pre-determined routes across the busiest section of the trunk road network in the South East of Scotland. The aim of the service is to reduce delays and speed up the time it takes to clear the road after incidents.
In the first two months the TRISS teams assisted in excess of 500 incidents on the South East trunk roads since the service came into operation on the 1 April 2007.
Two dedicated, state of the art vehicles, equipped with a variety of tools and materials, patrol the M8, M9, A720 and the A1 between 0600 till 1830 seven days a week.
The TRISS operation incorporates the innovative use of roof mounted solar operated mobile variable message sign. These provide immediate, on-the-spot information and early warning signs at the scene of an incident whether it is an accident or, more likely, a breakdown. These signs have been adapted following the success of a similar service provided by BEAR Scotland on the A92 Dundee – Arbroath since early 2006.
The teams are often the first at the scene of road traffic accidents, where they can assist the police with traffic management and offer emergency first aid if needed. The service also allows police officers to make better use of their time.
The TRISS teams all undergo a rigorous selection and induction process. They all must have experience and training in traffic management skills, possess excellent driving skills, sound judgements under pressure, good communication skills and an emergency first aid qualification as a minimum.
Bill Taylor, BEAR Scotland’s Managing Director says: “The roll out of the service has been extremely successful in helping to keep traffic flowing in this part of the network.
“In the first two weeks of operation the teams attended over 200 incidents. The service will benefit drivers by helping to keep roads safer, clearing incidents much more quickly and cutting down on congestion“.
BEAR, provides this service as part of the contract to manage and maintain the Trunk Road Network in the South East of Scotland on behalf of Transport Scotland.
A Transport Scotland Spokesperson adds: “The introduction of TRISS on our south east network will bring significant benefits due to congestion associated with broken down vehicles being removed. The dedicated TRISS service responds quickly and has been well received by the police and public.”