Winter Operations A Risk Management Perspective

December 16, 2014

Lynn PetersonSecretary of Transportation

Maintenance and Operations Snow and Ice- How We Manage Risk

WSDOT

James MorinMaintenance and Operations Branch Manager

How We Manage RiskObjectives

Keep roads open for safe and reliable winter travel

Communicate with the Public

Protect the agency from risk

How We Manage RiskCommunicating With the General Public

WSDOT attempts to instill a sense of responsibility in the winter time traveler so that the burden of a safe driving experience is not solely shouldered by us, but rather reliant on the best practice of all parties.

Web pages, brochures, and press releases all carry the

message that safe winter travel is a shared responsibility. Travel alerts keep the public updated on the latest road and

weather conditions in the passes and elsewhere.

How We Manage Risk Winter Operations

Weather related accidents Vehicle corrosion Vehicle damage Avalanche Employee safety Environmental impacts

How We Manage Risk Winter Operations Planning

How We Manage Risk – Planning and Training

Statewide, regional and area snow and ice plans Application guidelines Annual review of snow and ice procedures Pre-winter meetings with crew

and managers- WSP-Stakeholders

Pre-winter material planning Equipment preparation and

calibration

How We Manage RiskSmart Technology

• Application equipment types

• Calibration stations• Precision controllers• AVL/GPS Program• Data collection

processes

WSDOT Web Services

Vendor 1

Vendor 2

Service Provider

WSDOT Data

GIS MAP FunctionsASP.Net

Workstation

Data / Communication Flow

OnboardData

Capture

Modem

User Monitor

Maintenance and Operations Vendor OIT

How We Manage Risk Documentation

PDA & Web-based application records Real-time equipment and application maps Diary entries Avalanche control mission reports Archived weather information TMC & EOC reports After-action reports Pictures

How We Manage Risk Weather information

Northwest Weathernet & other forecast providers Northwest Avalanche Center Road/Weather Information Stations Traffic cameras Other agencies Media Traveling public

How We Manage Risk Environmental Stewardship

• Calibration of application equipment

• Precision material controllers

• Operator training• Application guidelines• Experience• Roadside soil and water

sampling• All liquid products inhibited

to PNS standard • Solid salt treated with

inhibited liquids

Reserve for Steve Puz

Highway System Closures

• Emergency Closures: An unplanned immediate closure of a highway or traveled portion of the highway for an uncertain duration

• Planned Closures: A closure that can be anticipated for a specific purpose, typically for a known duration

Highway Closure Emergency Protocol

• Safety of the public, WSP and WSDOT employees– Either WSP or WSDOT field staff can close the road.– If one entity makes the decision to close the road, both

agencies support that decision and take immediate action

• Once decision is made, communicate with other agency as soon as possible.– Both agencies support/implement decision immediately– Communicate within respective chains of command

Highway Re-Opening Emergency Protocol

• WSP/WSDOT communication • Both agencies must agree prior to opening• Without agreement the road stays closed• Decision is elevated by both agencies until

decision is reached• Both agencies must continue to support the

closure until a joint decision is reached.