On July 2, 2026 Charlton County is considering a resolution to endorse and adopt the Georgia Open Roads Policy, a statewide initiative led by GDOT, DPS, and the Governor to promote rapid and safe clearance of traffic incidents. EMA Director Tiffany Yearwood notes there is no direct fiscal impact from the resolution itself, but adoption strengthens coordination among emergency responders, law enforcement, public works, and transportation partners and aligns the county with the Georgia Traffic Incident Management Enhancement (TIME) Task Force. The narrative highlights that participation can enhance access to interagency training, partnerships, and grant‑funded equipment supporting incident response, roadway clearance, and safety.Attached examples of GDOT TIM-related grant equipment from 2022–2025 include drones, traffic control signs, LED message boards, cones, flares, and responder safety gear, indicating the types of purchases the county may pursue once aligned with the program. This is an early-stage signal for vendors providing traffic incident management equipment, digital message boards, drones, and safety systems to engage EMA and public safety leaders as they look to leverage future grants.

Adoption makes the county an official party to the Georgia Open Roads Policy and a TIME Task Force member, improving eligibility for GDOT grant-funded traffic incident management equipment and training.