August 2014 Policies Regarding Transport customers by Freeway Safety Patrol

Question:

From: / "BRIAN W UMFLEET"
Subject: / 2014 Policies Regarding Transport customers by Freeway Safety Patrol

All, we are reviewing our standard operating guidelines for our Motorist Assist Program.

1. We would like your feedback about your policies for transporting motorists of disabled vehicles.

2. If your agency does transport motorists, do you require the motorist to provide identification that is shared with your dispatcher by the field operator?

3. If so, what information do you request and is it reported to your dispatcher.

Thanks for your help.

Brian Umfleet, P.E.

Traffic Operations Engineer

Office: (314) 275-1540

Cell: (314) 568-8487

Answer:

From: / "Mark Kirouac"
Subject: / Re: 2014 Policies Regarding Transport customers by Freeway Safety Patrol

New Hampshire DOT Service Patrol does not transport motorist.

Answer:

From: / "Ward, Robert (DOT)"
Subject: / Re: 2014 Policies Regarding Transport customers by Freeway Safety Patrol

Hi Brian,

In Massachusetts we operate three (3) Motorist Assistance Programs, Emergency Service Patrol (ESP) on toll road, Highway Assistance Program (HAP) on roadways in/around three (3) metropolitan areas and Incident Response Operators (IRO) within the tunnel systems and surrounding surface roads in Boston.

Although we include a transport policy within the HAP Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), we prefer to keep an arms distance too Courtesy Transports and recommend the HAP operator support if requested by Mass State Police or when it's absolutely necessary and a last resort.

Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) language as follows:

A. Transport Policy

The HAP operator shall only transport people to the nearest safe relocation site. Whenever it is necessary to transport people beyond a relocation site, the HAP operator shall request permission from the HOC. If a HAP operator is required to transport anyone, the operator must notify the MSP jurisdiction and relay particular information including... gender, destination, start/end mileage, start/end time.

If you have a question, please advise.

Thank you,

Robert Ward

MassDOT / Highway Division

668 South Ave Weston, MA 02493

Phone: 781-431-5739

Answer:

From: / "Washburn, Michael"
Subject: / Re: 2014 Policies Regarding Transport customers by Freeway Safety Patrol

Florida's Turnpike Safety Patrol only transports customers when absolutely necessary and/or at request of Florida Highway Patrol. Below is guidance to our Operators from our SOG. Communication to FHP in all situations is encouraged. Please let me know if you have any questions. Transporting Motorists or Pedestrians

Pedestrians on any access controlled highway are at extreme risk. If a pedestrian is encountered, stop and ask if you can be of assistance. When assisting motorists with a disabled vehicle and the vehicle will not start or cannot be driven, assist the motorist to obtain help using your cell phone (Section 4.5). If towing service or other help is not available in a reasonable time, offer to transport the motorist to the Service Plaza or nearest exit within your patrol sector (motorist is to be left at a safe location).

If the motorist refuses your offer to be transported, caution them to remain in or near the vehicle in the grass well off the travel lanes and behind the guardrail (if present). Notify the TMC of their decision and indicate that you will check on them on your next pass of your assignment. If there are circumstances that make you feel that the individuals are at risk or in danger (such as female, young children, elderly, poor health, etc.) ask the TMC to contact FHP for assistance.

* When transporting a motorist or pedestrian, advise the TMC of your intentions, destination, how many passengers, gender and current odometer reading. Call the TMC immediately upon arrival at the drop off point and report your ending mileage.

* If there are more passengers than seatbelts in the Road Ranger Safety Service Patrol vehicle, contact the TMC and request assistance from another Road Ranger Safety Service Patrol unit, a supervisor or a Trooper.

* Remember to call in the vehicle description and tag number before you leave your vehicle (Section 4)

* Use extreme caution when you encounter or transport individuals at night when there is no disabled vehicle in sight or if the individual appears under the influence. In these cases ask the TMC to request a trooper.

Operator Guidance:

  • All passengers must wear seat belts.
  • Infants and small children must be in a car seat.
  • Know where all the pay phones are located in your patrol sector.
  • Road Ranger Safety Service Patrol operators cannot wait for motorists; drive motorists to or from repair shops or parts stores, provide cab service; or drive motorists back to the disabled vehicle.
  • Remember that you are not to leave the Turnpike Patrol area to go to parts stores or repair centers to have flats fixed or secure repair parts and drive back to the disabled vehicle.

Michael Washburn

Incident Management Program Manager

Jacobs Traffic Engineering and Maintenance General Consultant to Florida's Turnpike Physical

Address: Mile Post 65, Florida's Turnpike, Turnpike Operations Center, Pompano Beach, FL 33069 US

Mail: P.O. Box 9828, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33310

Phone: 954.934.1621

Cell: 954.809.1610

Answer:

From: / "Scott Yinger"
Subject: / Re: 2014 Policies Regarding Transport customers by Freeway Safety Patrol

Brian,

I have copied the below excerpt from our Concept of Operations Guide here in Maryland referring to the transportation of motorists and pedestrians. Emergency Response Technicians are told that if in doubt about a pedestrian or motorist, contact the Maryland State Police. Tow trucks are arranged through MSP's approved tow list therefore we do not make specific recommendations for a tow company. We permit a one-way trip off the roadway as described for the occupants.

I. PURPOSE: To establish guidelines for the transporting of motorists or pedestrians off the highway to a safe location.

II. GENERAL: The transporting of motorist is to take them to the nearest exit where they can arrange for their own help or assistance. This also prevents a motorist from becoming a pedestrian and a potential accident victim on our highway system.

III. RESPONSIBILITY: It is the responsibility of CHART field personnel to follow established guidelines for transporting motorists and pedestrians.

IV. POLICY:

  • Transport to the nearest exit or reasonable distance where the motorist can arrange their own assistance.
  • Under no circumstances are CHART field personnel to make arrangements for a specific tow company or suggest a particular service station or repair shop.
  • Under no circumstances are CHART field personnel to wait for motorists and act as a cab service back to a disabled vehicle.
  • Motorists should be advised that pedestrians are not allowed on the freeway system and they should arrange to be transported back to their vehicle.
  • Under no circumstances should CHART field personnel transport a motorist home or to any location more than ½ mile off their assigned patrol route.
  • It is expected that CHART field personnel will conduct themselves in a professionally and in a manner that reflects most favorably on SHA, at all times.
  • CHART field personnel should use extreme caution when considering transporting an individual especially at night, or when there is no visible disabled vehicle or when it's obvious an individual is under the influence. Do not hesitate to contact your supervisor and ask for advice or guidance.
  • It is unlawful for CHART field personnel to transport an infant without proper child restraints.
  • All passengers being transported in a CHART vehicle must wear seat belts.
  • Advise motorists that disabled vehicles are normally tagged and taken into police custody, if not removed in a timely manner (usually 24 hours after being tagged on the highway system).
  • Any actions by CHART field personnel deemed necessary outside of the policy and procedures described in this Article require consultation with the employee's supervisor prior to taking those actions. If the supervisor cannot be reached, than actions shall be consistent with this policy and procedure.

V. PROCEDURES:

  • Contact the TOC/SOC prior to transporting
  • Provide the TOC/SOC with the following information:
  • Description of the vehicle
  • License plate number
  • Description of the motorist(s)
  • Number of people being transported
  • Destination
  • Beginning Mileage
  • Call SOC/TOC when transport is successfully completed
  • Ending Mileage

Scott Yinger

Operations Manager-Field Maryland State Highway Administration Office of CHART & ITS Development

Office: 410-582-5605

FAX: 410-582-9880

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