Incident Response or Traffic Incident Management is the marshalling of agencies, vendors, and other resources to respond to, investigate, and clean up traffic incidents. Four to ten minutes of traffic congestion (depending on traffic volume) can result from every minute a lane remains blocked, so incidents must be detected and cleared as rapidly as possible to minimize the impact on congestion, especially during peak periods. The average Washington motorist spends two weeks of every year stuck in traffic so it's easy to see why the Incident Response Team (IRT) serves a crucial role in keeping Washington on the move.

WSDOT’s Incident Response Team (IRT) members are a specially trained group of WSDOT maintenance employees who respond to traffic incidents on state roadways. Whether assisting stranded motorist, or responding to a collision, snowstorm, or disaster, their mission is to work in partnership with the Washington State Patrol and other responders to quickly clear roads and help drivers. They restore normal traffic flow as safely and quickly as possible.

Responder and motorist safety are top priority

Responder safety is our top priority. That means that we are not successful unless everyone goes home at the end of the day. It is important to note that this emphasis on responder safety also improves motorist safety. Giving motorists advanced notice of lane closures ahead and setting up Traffic Incident Management Areas enhance both responder safety and motorist safety.

Who else is involved with Traffic Incident Management in Washington?

Traffic Incident Management at the state level requires creating and sustaining multi-agency and multi-community partnerships with hundreds of agencies such as: law enforcement, fire/EMS, towing and recovery, transportation, environmental regulatory agencies and hazardous material cleanup contractors. Getting all these agencies to work smoothly together during traffic emergencies requires the three “Cs” of cooperation, communication, and coordination. This requires building and maintaining partnerships through outreach, training, and personal contact.


Where are Incident Response units roving during peak traffic periods?

• Bellevue - I-405 
• Bellingham - I-5
• Bothell - I-405
• Chehalis/Centralia – I-5
• Everett - I-5 & US-2
• Evergreen Pt. Floating Bridge - SR520
• Federal Way/ SeaTac/Tukwila - I-5
• Fort Lewis vicinity - I-5
• Kent/Auburn - SR167
• Lynnwood - I-5
• Mercer Island Floating Bridge/Tunnels - I-90
• Mount Vernon - I-5
• Olympia/Lacey/Tumwater -I-5 & US-101
• Parkland/So. Tacoma - SR512 & SR167
• Port Orchard/Bremerton/Gig Harbor - SR16 & SR3
• Renton/Tukwila - I-405
• Seattle Express Lanes - I-5
• Seattle (downtown) - I-5
• Seattle (north end) - I-5
• Snoqualmie Pass - I-90
• Stevens Pass – US-2
• Spokane - I-90
• Tacoma (downtown) - I-5
• Tacoma Narrows Bridge vicinity - SR16
• Totem Lake - I-405
• So. Thurston Co. – I-5
• Vancouver - I-5, I-205, SR14, & SR500

Who do you call for assistance?
If involved in a collision, disabled vehicle, or other emergency dial 9 1 1.

How do you obtain Traveler Information?

• For traveler information dial 511
• Traffic information: www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/

Want more information about WSDOT's Incident Response Team?