FM-3-81 Maneuver Enhancement Brigade Download
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Lines of Communication Considerations 09 November 2021 FM 3-81 C-7 TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL C-28. Traffic management and control are conducted to enable the unencumbered movement of personnel and resources along road networks in the most efficient manner possible. Although focused on supporting movement, traffic management can also be selectively applied to enable maneuver. Traffic management and control also contributes to the commander’s protection efforts. Reconnaissance is an essential component of effective traffic management and control. C-29. Traffic management and control is the direction, control, supervision, and execution of the activities required to enable freedom of movement for persons, vehicles, and resources. Traffic management holistically involves transportation, military police, engineer, and other technical capabilities. The four primary components of traffic management and control are— Movement control (a transportation task under sustainment). Traffic management and enforcement (performed by military police as part of their military police disciplines). MSR and ASR regulation and enforcement (performed by military police as part of security and mobility support discipline). Engineering support focused on traffic engineering. MOVEMENT CONTROL C-30. Regulating movements entails the additional actions to synchronize the flow of movement over LOCs which includes, but is not limited to, planning and executing route synchronization and distribution network designs, managing convoys at distribution hubs/convoy support centers/border crossings/entry control points, and diverting the movement of a convoy or single shipment when necessary. C-31. A key aspect of regulating movements is route synchronization. Route synchronization is the planning, routing, and scheduling of movement on ground supply routes and is a control measure that regulates the flow of movement supporting military operations. Route synchronization is executed by commanders with the responsibility to provide order, prevent congestion, and enforce movement priorities for the ground supply routes in their operational area. C-32. The support area commander regulates movement throughout the support area. If the movement is conducted on MSRs or ASRs designated by higher headquarters, the support area commander regulates movement in coordination with the division transportation office/movement control battalion/movement control teams. Units may not move through ground LOCs within the support area without clearance from the AO responsible unit. The support area commander designates, maintains, secures, and controls movement along the routes within the support area unless the higher headquarters directs otherwise. Most routine movement on MSRs/ASRs is handled by the unit conducting the movement or the supporting headquarters. The support area commander must assert control when security conditions require it and stop, reroute, or delay movement even if coordinated or approved by others. C-33. The higher headquarters must provide clear guidance on the roles and responsibilities for movement control, protection, and defense of forces moving through the support area or originating in the support area AO that move into other AOs. Active participation by the SA commander and tenant units with higher headquarters planners will help to ensure proper guidance. The support area commander has responsibility for movement control, protection, and defense within the support area. The higher headquarters, through its movement control battalion and movement control teams, has primary responsibility for movement control within the AO. The convoy commander has primary responsibility for convoy protection, security, and defense. The support area commander may be assigned TACON for force protection in certain circumstances. When a unit wants to move within the support area, it coordinates with the BDOC or BCOC. The BDOC or BCOC will coordinate with the support area commander to obtain movement support: intelligence updates, additional security, fires, and final approval. When the unit plans to leave the support area, the support area commander will coordinate with the supporting movement control team as required to obtain movement clearance for use of the MSRs and ASRs. The base camp or base cluster commander adjusts perimeter security after a unit loads out for movement or integrates a new unit into existing plans to ensure a comprehensive security posture. When a unit moves through the support area, it coordinates with the supporting movement control team.