What is the expected duration of a major traffic incident?

The expected duration of a major traffic incident typically exceeds two hours due to various factors. Major incidents often involve complex situations such as serious collisions, hazardous material spills, or significant road blockages that require comprehensive response efforts from emergency services. These incidents can involve multiple vehicles, extensive cleanup operations, and detailed investigations that all contribute to the prolonged duration before normal traffic flow can resume.

In contrast to a major incident, shorter durations are more likely associated with minor accidents or isolated incidents where the impact on traffic is minimal. Therefore, understanding the expected duration helps emergency responders and traffic management teams effectively plan and allocate resources while communicating realistic timelines to the public. This knowledge is crucial for maintaining traffic efficiency and safety during the incident response.