Utilize well-equipped safety service patrols to assist highway motorists after vehicle malfunctions or crashes, and to coordinate a safe and efficient response.
Testimonials of the benefits of safety service patrols from staff of several state DOTs, travelers, and others.
Made Public Date
09/16/2005
Identifier
2005-00072
Improving Mobility, Saving Lives - Safety Service Patrols
Background
Safety service patrols are patrols provided by state DOTs that respond to highway motorists who have experienced vehicle malfunction or a crash. They do not compete with private-sector emergency assistance, but rather focus on getting stranded motorists safely away from traffic, keeping other traffic moving safely to prevent secondary incidents, assessing and stabilizing situations, calling for other appropriate resources, and reporting incidents to other travelers. These patrols can offer tremendous savings and other benefits with a relatively low investment. They also provide a very positive form of public relations for the state DOT, with travelers calling and writing to praise the services of their state DOT. Although even patrols outfitted with basic tools and emergency devices are helpful, those provided with ITS devices can be even more effective.
Lessons Learned
Utilize well-equipped safety service patrols to assist highway motorists after vehicle malfunctions or crashes, and to coordinate a safe and efficient response.
- Safety service patrols keep affected motorists safe after incidents, minimize the disruption of incidents to other traffic and prevent secondary incidents, and maximize traffic flow. They also coordinate the necessary response.
- Safety service patrols are a cost-effective component of a traffic management system, providing tremendous savings with a relatively low investment.
- Safety service patrols help stranded motorists and earn taxpayer satisfaction, garnering letters and telephone calls of praise for the state DOT.
- Outfitting these patrols with ITS tools such as automatic vehicle location devices, global positioning system receivers, cell phones, lighted arrow boards, and mobile variable message signs allows them to reach trouble spots more quickly and then manage traffic better and coordinate the response more effectively.
Improving Mobility, Saving Lives - Safety Service Patrols
Improving Mobility, Saving Lives - Safety Service Patrols
Publication Sort Date
01/01/1999
Publisher
ITS JPO
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