Freeway Service Patrol to Ease Traffic, Increase Safety
As part of the Lingle-Aiona Administration's ongoing efforts to keep Hawai`i motorists on the move, Governor Lingle announced the start of a two-year Freeway Service Patrol. The program, proven to save motorists time and money in other urban areas of the country, provides free emergency roadside service to motorists to keep freeways clear.
Governor Lingle, Department of Transportation Director Brennon Morioka and community partners launch the Freeway Service Patrol program.
Governor Lingle shared her personal experience as a motorist with a flat tire on the side of the highway after moving to Honolulu.
"It's a frightening, frightening experience. Whether you know how to change a tire or not, you're still there on the side of the freeway with traffic sometimes going by at 50 or 60 miles per hour," said Governor Lingle.
"You're there by yourself. If you don't have someone to call or someone is not available and you have a flat, or you ran out of gas, you're pretty much on your own. Now the people of Hawai`i will have a highway angel to come by and help them."
The Freeway Service Patrol traffic congestion relief program is a collaboration between the State Department of Transportation, Honolulu Police Department, City Department of Transportation Services, Emergency Medical Services and the Honolulu Fire Department.
Governor Lingle greets a newly-hired FSP patrolman following the ceremony.
The service will prevent traffic from backing up and causing longer commute times, especially during peak rush hours. Services that will be provided include changing flat tires, jump starting a car, refilling radiators and making temporary repairs. This translates to saving time by reducing delays on the road, saving money by burning less gas and saving our environment through reduced air emissions.
In its first two days of service, the FSP assisted 112 O`ahu motorists.
"Studies show that for every tax dollar spent on Freeway Service Patrol services, the public will realize a benefit many times above the amount spent to fund the program. A recent study by the University of California, Berkeley calculated the average driver would save $8 for every $1 spent on that state's regional FSP programs. These ratios do not factor in the benefits associated with air quality improvement or accident reduction," said Brennon Morioka, director of the State Department of Transportation.
The Freeway Service Patrol covers a total of approximately 15 miles of freeway, including a 10.4 mile stretch along the H-1 Freeway between the H-1/H-2 Merge and the Likelike cut-off, and 4.8 along the Moanalua Freeway (H-201 and Route 78). It will be in operation from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, except for federal holidays.
The pilot program will cost about $3.9 million, with a little more than $3.5 million (90 percent) being paid for by the Federal Highway Administration and the remaining $390,000 from state highway funds.
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"Honolulu freeway tow patrol launched to clear stalled cars," Honolulu Advertiser, June 17, 2009
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"White knights hit the road," Honolulu Star-Bulletin, June 17, 2009
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To learn more, visit www.fsphawaii.com.
