In which scenario would linear positioning be appropriately used?

Linear positioning is a technique used to accurately describe the location of incidents along a roadway. This method is particularly effective when the incident's setting is straightforward, such as with a disabled vehicle parked on the shoulder of the road. In this scenario, a linear positioning method allows responders to pinpoint the specific location using landmarks, road markers, or mileage. This is critical for ensuring that emergency services can reach the location quickly and efficiently, minimizing further risk to those involved and to passing traffic.

In contrast, scenarios like a fire at a commercial building or a traffic accident involving multiple vehicles may require more detailed situational awareness, such as incident command structures and broader geographic references, rather than simple linear descriptors. Additionally, a large congestion area on a highway may not have a singular point of reference that linear positioning would ideally capture, as it involves a redirection of traffic over a more extensive area rather than a specific location. Thus, the context of a disabled vehicle makes it the most suitable scenario for linear positioning.