MAG to Fund Freeway Service
Patrols
PHOENIX
(May 25, 2000) — The Maricopa Association of Governments
(MAG) voted unanimously to provide $750,000 in funding necessary
to help launch and operate the Freeway Service Patrol program.
The implementation of the Freeway Service Patrol program was announced
by Governor Jane Dee Hull during a press conference May 25.
The funding, approved during a MAG Regional Council meeting Wednesday, May 24 comes from MAG federal funds designed to improve air quality. The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) has committed to an additional $750,000 to continue the program beyond the first two years.
"This project represents a true partnership between MAG, the Arizona Department of Transportation and the Arizona Department of Public Safety to increase safety and traffic mobility in the region," said MAG Regional Council Chair Neil Giuliano.
The Freeway Service Patrols will consist of roving road repair service vehicles which can provide on-the-spot assistance to stranded motorists. The service will be manned by Roadside Motorist Assistants (RMAs), who will patrol the Valley freeway network looking for disabled vehicles.
This service is being funded as a regional Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) project and will complement existing Advanced Traffic Management Systems (ATMS). Current ATMS monitoring includes the use of video cameras, which capture only a portion of the Valley freeway network. It is expected that the patrol vehicles will eventually have direct radio communications with regional traffic management centers in order to effectively share information about freeway incidents that can cause traffic backups.
Giuliano said the Freeway Service Patrol program was a slam-dunk for the Regional Council. "Due to its potential to improve safety and reduce congestion on the urban freeway system, this project has been at the top of our priority list for a long time," he said. "We're very excited that we've finally reached the point where the service will soon be a reality."
MAG ITS Program Manager Sarath Joshua says the launch of the
Freeway Service Patrol opens up tremendous opportunities for future
collaboration between the state and the region. "Having DPS
participate in regional ITS planning maximizes the efficiency
of our existing system," said Dr. Joshua. "It also symbolizes
a new mission which encourages the partnerships between regional
and state agencies," he said.