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Abstract:The Redding Responder Study was initiated as a component of the Redding Incident
Management Enhancement (RIME) Program. The goals of the RIME program are to leverage
technology and communications deployments for emergency communication providers in the
RIME region by evaluating agency requirements, providing migration paths and improving
incident management. The RIME region consists of 19 counties in northern California, which
cover nearly 30% of the State’s area, approximately 25% of the State’s State Highway Lane
Miles, and less than 4% of the State’s population. RIME organizations include Caltrans District
2, Caltrans Division of Research and Innovation, Norcal EMS, California Department of
Forestry and Fire Protection, and other local and state agencies.
The Redding Responder Study was sponsored by the Caltrans’ Division of Research and
Innovation. The Western Transportation Institute at Montana State University was contracted to
conduct research and development comprising the study. Research and development was
conducted to address the needs of Caltrans District 2, based in Redding. While targeted
specifically at the needs of Caltrans District 2, consideration was given to prospective needs of
other RIME agencies and other Caltrans districts, including those in urban areas. Research and
development was conducted over a two-and-one-half year time period.
The premise behind the Redding Responder Study is that the collection and transmission of
digital photographs and other incident information will enhance incident management and help
to clear incidents more quickly. Secondary benefits include those associated with the
development and implementation of a systematic methodology for collecting and documenting
incidents for future analysis and training. The principal challenges include overcoming limited
communication capability in the RIME region and achieving a desired ease of use necessary to make such a system usable in the field. While off-the-shelf hardware and software products exist
to solve related problems, such products do not adequately address these principal challenges
without further integration and development.
Specific situations in which the product of this study would be used include rockslides,
landslides, mudslides, earthquakes, severe weather, and other events in which roadways would
be damaged or obstructed. Such events are common in District 2, particularly during the wet
months of fall, winter and spring. Use for traffic accidents and during wild land fires would also
be likely.
A Project Process Model was developed to incorporate aspects of the Systems Engineering
approach, as exemplified by the “Vee” Model and the Spiral Model for Development, which is
commonly used to minimize risk in the development of complex systems. The resulting process
model is consistent with the Caltrans’ Stages of Research Deployment. Specifically, a sequence
of prototypes was developed to refine the project concept, elicit requirements and feedback
throughout the project, and evaluate technologies and techniques for use. With each “iteration,”
Caltrans was presented with the next version of the product, and feedback was elicited to
determine necessary modifications and additional requirements. Feedback was documented and
incorporated into subsequent development.
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