What is a key goal of traffic incident management (TIM)?

A key goal of traffic incident management (TIM) is to minimize delays for emergency response. This involves ensuring that first responders can reach the scene of an incident quickly and safely, which is crucial in time-sensitive situations such as accidents or other emergencies. By reducing delays, TIM practices not only enhance the safety of emergency personnel but also improve overall traffic flow and minimize the impact of an incident on the surrounding road network.

The goal of minimizing delays encompasses strategies such as quick clearance of incidents, effective communication among responders, and coordinated response efforts. Each of these factors plays a significant role in ensuring that emergency services can operate effectively, thereby protecting the lives of those involved in the incident and maintaining public safety.

The other options, while related to traffic management, do not capture the essential focus of TIM. For example, maximizing the use of road infrastructure and increasing the number of traffic signals pertain more to general traffic optimization rather than emergency incident management specifically. Similarly, while reducing the need for temporary traffic control devices can be a benefit of effective TIM, it is not the central goal of the TIM process, which prioritizes the swift and efficient response to incidents.