Operational protocols for emergency management

Among the most common causes of carriageway obstruction are situations in which a vehicle, especially a heavy one, is forced to stop in such a way as to obstruct, even partially, the passage of other vehicles.

In general, the operational phases adopted by the personnel in charge include:

1. the display of variable message signs and the activation of specific scenarios to warn incoming traffic of the disturbance;
2. immediate communication of the emergency to the Traffic Police Operations Centre (COPS), to any rescue agencies involved (e.g. mechanical rescue) and to radio/TV channels;
3. the assignment of the operational personnel of Autostrada Pedemontana Lombarda for the intervention and assistance to users, based on the instructions provided by COPS;
4. the placement of temporary signs, if necessary, in accordance with COPS;
5. monitoring operations until the event is completely resolved.

Wrong-way driving is an illegitimate and dangerous act. Wrong-way driving is understood as the act of moving, by one or more vehicles, in a reverse trajectory to the common direction of travel (due to U-turn or invasion of the opposite carriageway), with a high risk of serious frontal collisions at high speeds.

In general, the operational phases adopted by the personnel in charge, in relation to the duration of the event, include:

1. the display of variable message signs and the activation of specific scenarios to promptly give advance warning of the disturbance to oncoming traffic, with the prohibition of access to all tunnels located upstream from the wrong-way driving, limited to the carriageway affected by the event;
2. the timely communication of the emergency in progress to the Traffic Police Operations Centre (COPS), to the rescue agencies that may be interested in resolving the event, to the managers of other neighbouring infrastructures and to radio or TV channels;
3. the request for the safety car of the Traffic Police, to block traffic upstream of the wrong-way vehicle;
4. the advance warning by the operational personnel of Autostrada Pedemontana Lombarda in favour of oncoming traffic, with possible direct assistance to users, based on the instructions given by the Traffic Police Operations Centre;
5. monitoring until the event is completely resolved.

A motorway accident is an unforeseen event that can involve one or more vehicles, causing property damage and/or injuries. Accidents can be caused by collisions between vehicles, impacts with fixed obstacles or other situations that abruptly interrupt the normal flow of traffic, often with serious consequences due to high speed.

In general, the operational phases adopted by the road safety personnel include:

1. the display of variable message signs and the activation of specific scenarios to promptly warn of the disturbance to oncoming traffic;
2. the immediate communication of the emergency in progress to the Traffic Police Operations Centre (COPS), to the rescue agencies interested, where necessary, to the managers of other neighbouring infrastructures and to radio or TV channels;
3. the request, where necessary, for the safety car of the Traffic Police, to slow down or block traffic, based on the traffic conditions and the portion of the carriageway involved;
4. the intervention by the operational personnel of Autostrada Pedemontana Lombarda in favour of the users involved in the event, based on the instructions given by COPS;
5. in the event of accidents with damage to property only, the timely movement of vehicles and debris that obstruct traffic, in compliance with current legislation (Articles 14, 161 and 189 of the Italian Rules of the Road);
6. the installation, where necessary and in accordance with the COPS, of temporary signs and the adoption of suitable measures to avoid further accidents and to facilitate the intervention of rescue agencies;
7. the assessment of the closure of the affected section based on the estimated resolution times;
8. constant monitoring and assistance to users, with detour in the event of prolonged traffic blockage onto other roads, through coordination carried out by the Traffic Police on site;
9. the assessment of damage to the property and, if necessary, the installation of temporary signs or urgent intervention to restore the damaged elements;
10. monitoring until the event is completely resolved.

The presence of stray animals on the carriageway represents a serious danger both for the safety of the animals themselves and for the safety and fluidity of traffic. Autostrada Pedemontana Lombarda takes specific measures to promptly report and manage the event.

In general, the operational phases adopted by the personnel in charge, also in relation to the duration of the event, include:

1. the display of variable message signs and the activation of specific scenarios to promptly signal the danger on both carriageways, with the prohibition of access to any tunnels involved;
2. the immediate communication of the emergency in progress to the Traffic Police Operations Centre (COPS), to the rescue agencies interested, to the managers of other neighbouring infrastructures and to radio or TV channels;
3. the request for the intervention of the Traffic Police to stop the traffic upstream of the event;
4. the activity of advance warning by the operational personnel of Autostrada Pedemontana Lombarda in favour of oncoming traffic, with possible direct assistance to users, based on the instructions given by COPS;
5. checking of the integrity of the fences, by visual inspection, to identify any damage or vulnerability;
6. continuous monitoring operations until the event is completely resolved.

The coordination of emergencies in the event of smoke or fire in the tunnel is managed with the utmost timeliness and attention. Although the propagation of fumes and the difficulty of identifying the extent of the phenomenon can be critical, the entire organisation is trained to effectively deal with such situations in compliance with strict operational protocols.

In general, the operational phases adopted by the personnel in charge include:

1. the display of variable message panels and the activation of specific “scenarios” to promptly convey the users involved to the emergency exits; report the disturbance to the oncoming traffic; prohibit access to both openings of the tunnel concerned, immediately recommending specific detours;
2. the immediate communication of the emergency in progress to the Traffic Police Operations Centre (COPS), to the rescue agencies interested, to the managers of other neighbouring infrastructures and to radio or TV channels;
3. the blocking of traffic, with barrier signs, upstream of the accesses to both openings of the tunnel concerned and the activation of an advanced command post;
4. monitoring and assistance to users inside the tunnel to facilitate reaching safe places;
5. support for operational personnel involved in rescue operations;
6. the activity of advance warning by the operational personnel of Autostrada Pedemontana Lombarda in favour of oncoming traffic, with possible direct assistance to users involved in any queues, in compliance with instructions given by COPS;
7. the installation of temporary signs for the closure of the section concerned;
8. the reduction of queues with detour of the traffic onto alternative roads;
9. monitoring until the event is completely resolved.

The presence of debris on the carriageway or any other foreign matter constitutes a disturbance and hindrance to the fluidity of traffic to the detriment of traffic safety, especially in relation to high speeds.

In general, the operational phases adopted by the personnel in charge include:

1. the display of variable message signs and the activation of specific scenarios to promptly give advance warning of the disturbance to oncoming traffic;
2. the immediate communication of the emergency in progress to the Traffic Police Operations Centre (COPS), to the rescue agencies interested and to radio or TV channels;
3. the intervention by the operational personnel of Autostrada Pedemontana Lombarda, in compliance with the instructions given by COPS;
4. the installation, agreed with COPS, of temporary signs in the presence of obstacles that cannot be immediately removed;
5. monitoring until the event is completely resolved.

In the event of adverse weather phenomena, traffic disturbances may occur due to the possible reduction of visibility and reduced grip of the road surface. Phenomena such as, for example, freezing-rain, fog, gusts of wind or other weather events, can lead to conditions of particular risk for traffic due to their unpredictability.

In general, the operational phases adopted by the personnel in charge include:

1. checks and preventive interventions to ensure the optimal state of the infrastructure in relation to the conditions of the road surface and rainwater run-off systems;
2. the display of variable message signs and the activation of specific scenarios to promptly give advance warning of the disturbance to oncoming traffic;
3. constant monitoring of the weather conditions in place on the entire network of competence and their communication to all interested parties;
4. timely and adequate assistance to users in difficulty, regardless of the nature of the distress;
5. the implementation of measures necessary for the protection and safety of users in transit such as, for example, the prohibition of entry for tarpaulin vehicles in the event of strong gusts of wind;
6. theprohibition of access to the infrastructure for exceptional transport in the event of reduced visibility and/or adverse weather conditions;
7. the removal of all removable construction sites or enhancement of light signals and signalling measures for immovable construction sites;
8. the intensification of patrolling activities on the section affected by the meteorological phenomenon until the event is completely resolved.

Heavy traffic conditions or traffic disturbances can cause slowdowns in vehicular flows to the point of causing them to be blocked in the presence of significant criticalities such as, for example, accidents, fires, and so forth.

In general, the operational phases adopted by the personnel in charge include:

1. the display of variable message signs and the activation of specific scenarios to promptly give advance warning of the disturbance to oncoming traffic;
2. the immediate communication of the emergency in progress to the Traffic Police Operations Centre (COPS), to the rescue agencies interested, to the managers of other neighbouring infrastructures and to radio or TV channels;
3. the activity of advance warning by the operational personnel of Autostrada Pedemontana Lombarda in favour of oncoming traffic, with possible direct assistance to users, in compliance with instructions given by COPS;
4. the increase in patrolling activities of the affected section;
5. in the event of extensive and/or prolonged blockages, the detour of traffic onto alternative roads and assistance to users also through the distribution, if necessary, of basic necessities.