Write Up:

A traffic incident is an unplanned event that blocks travel lanes and temporarily reduces the number of vehicles that can travel on the road. The speed of incident clearance is essential to the highway system returning to normal conditions. Responding to and quickly addressing the incident (crashes, debris and stalled vehicles) improves system performance. 

St. Louis recorded 2,955 traffic incidents, with an average time of 30.2 minutes to clear those incidents in the second quarter of FY 2024. Compared to the same period in 2023, there was an increase 5.6% in the number of incidents and a decrease of 9.0% in clearance times. 

Kansas City recorded 1,809 traffic incidents, with an average time of 31.4 minutes to clear those incidents in the second quarter of FY 2024. Compared to the same period in 2023, there was a decrease of 10.4% in the number of incidents and an increase of 12.5% in clearance times.

Springfield recorded 352 traffic incidents, with an average time of 36.6 minutes to clear those incidents in the second quarter of FY 2024. Compared to the same period in 2023, there was a decrease of 27.4% in the number of incidents and an increase of 8.6% in clearance times.

Rural counties of Interstate 70 between MM 28 (Oak Grove) and MM 203 (Foristell) recorded 46 incidents and an average clearance time of 60.4 minutes in the second quarter of FY 2024. Compared to the same period in 2023, there was a decrease of 6.1% in the number of incidents and a decrease of 8.1% in clearance times.

Rural counties of Interstate 44 between MM 0 (Oklahoma) and MM 69 (Springfield), as well as between MM 91 (Strafford) and MM 224 (Sullivan), recorded 50 incidents and an average clearance time of 94.1 minutes in the second quarter of FY 2024. Compared to the same period in 2023, there was a decrease of 29.6% in the number of incidents and an increase of 14.2% in clearance times.

This reporting period saw a decrease of 3.9% in traffic-related incidents captured in MoDOT's Advanced Traffic Management System in the combined measured areas and an overall increase of 4.0% in clearance times. 

During this past quarter, some of the long duration incidents that occurred involved tractor trailers crashes with extended recovery times, pedestrians getting struck, stalled vehicles, and debris in the roadway.    

Reduced staffing levels and a reduction in service hours continue to be a concern for our Motorist Assist programs in the St. Louis and Springfield areas. Of the large-scale incidents in the St Louis region this past quarter, 27% occurred during the weekend when no Motorist Assist were staffed.

Purpose of the Measure:

This measure is used to determine the trends in incident clearance on the state highway system.

Measurement and Data Collection:

Advanced transportation management systems are used by the St. Louis, Kansas City and Springfield traffic management centers to record incident start time and the time when all lanes are declared cleared. Traffic incidents can be divided into three general classes of duration set forth by the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices that include minor, intermediate and major incidents. Each class has unique traffic control characteristics and needs.

This target is established by projecting a 10% improvement over a 5-year average.