MORE THAN 6,000 'GOOD TURNS' EVERY MONTH

AFTER THE OPENING OF INTERSTATE ROUTE 94 IN CHICAGO, THE ILLINOIS DIVISION OF HIGHWAYS BECAME AWARE THAT THE EXPRESSWAYS COULD NOT PROVIDE THE DESIGNED CAPACITIES DURING PEAK HOURS WITHOUT CONTINUOUS PATROL. THE EXPRESSWAY EMERGENCY PATROL WAS FORMED UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE DISTRICT TRAFFIC ENGINEER. THE PRIMARY DUTY OF THIS PATROL WAS THE DETECTION AND RELOCATION OF ACCIDENT OR MECHANICAL BREAKDOWN VEHICLE DISABLEMENTS WHICH IMPEDED SAFE TRAFFIC FLOW. ADDITIONAL PATROL DUTIES INCLUDE: (1) ESTABLISHING EMERGENCY TRAFFIC CONTROLS AND DETOURS BY PLACING APPROPRIATE BARRICADES, SIGNS, AND LIGHTS, (2) ASSISTING AT ACCIDENT SCENES BY RENDERING FIRST AID, CALLING NECESSARY EMERGENCY SERVICES AND HELPING TO EXTRICATE TRAPPED OR INJURED PERSONS, AND REMOVING ACCIDENT DEBRIS FROM THE ROADWAY, (3) LOCATING DISABLED VEHICLES AND ASSISTING MOTORISTS BY PROVIDING GASOLINE, TIRE-CHANGING AID, WATER, AND CALLING FOR REPAIR SERVICE AND LENDING TOOLS FOR MINOR REPAIRS, (4) REPORTING TRAFFIC MOVEMENT INFORMATION TO THE STATE COMMUNICATIONS CENTER FOR DISTRIBUTION TO THE NEWS MEDIA, (5) REPORTING DAMAGED OR FAULTY STATE PROPERTY, (6) WARNING PEDESTRAINS TO KEEP OFF THE EXPRESSWAY AND NOTIFYING ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITIES WHEN PERSONNEL OR VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH PATROL REQUESTS, (7) PROVIDING TRAVEL INFORMATION ASSISTANCE, AND (8) ASSISTING AT SPECIAL ACTIVITIES OR CONSTRUCTION WORK ON THE EXPRESSWAY. A THOROUGH TRAINING COURSE IN PATROL PROCEDURES AND OPERATIONAL TECHNIQUES HAS BEEN DEVELOPED. ALL PATROL DRIVERS ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE BOTH THE BASIC AND ADVANCED RED CROSS FIRST AID COURSES. THE PATROL VEHICLE IS A 1 1/2-TON TRUCK CHASSIS WITH A SPECIALLY FABRICATED BODY. THE BODY IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE THE NECESSARY COMPARTMENTATION FOR THE EQUIPMENT CARRIED. ALL TRUCKS ARE EQUIPPED WITH PUSHER-TYPE BUMPERS AND REAR PINTLE HOOKS. TOW-WINCHES HAVE BEEN INSTALLED ON 21 OF THE UNITS. A FULL COMPLEMENT OF WARNING LIGHTS AND TWO ROTATING BEACONS ARE STANDARD PROVISIONS. TWO-WAY RADIO COMMUNICATIONS ARE MAINTAINED IN ALL UNITS. MORE THAN 60 INDIVIDUAL PIECES OF EQUIPMENT ARE CARRIED IN EACH TRUCK, SUCH AS FIRST AID KIT, WATER DRY CHARGE AND CARBON DIOXIDE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS, AXE AND PRY BAR, FUSEES AND KEROSENE BOMBS, TRAFFIC CONES AND BARRICADES, SALT, TIRE CHANGING EQUIPMENT, WATER, GASOLINE, TOOL BOX, SHOVEL AND BROOM, BLANKET AND HIGHWAY MAPS. THOUGH OVER 11,000 ACCIDENTS ARE EXPERIENCED EACH YEAR ON THE 120-MILE URBAN EXPRESSWAY SYSTEM, THE ANNUAL FATALITY RATE IS BELOW THE NATIONAL AVERAGE FOR EXPRESSWAY FATALITIES, ATTESTING THE VALUE OF THIS SERVICE.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/1606878
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Vol 99, No 6, PP 130-131, 178 & 180, 3 PHOT
• Authors:
  • McLean, C
• Publication Date: 1968-6

Media Info

• Serial:
  • Public Works
  • Publisher: Hanley Wood
  • ISSN: 0033-3840
  • Serial URL: http://www.pwmag.com

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Communication systems; Debris removal; Disasters and emergency operations; Emergency vehicles; Expressways; Freeways; Gasoline; Hazards and emergency operations; Highway capacity; Information dissemination; Peak hour traffic; Pedestrians; Police patrol; Prevention; Radio; Repairing; Safety; Tires; Traffic flow; Traffic incidents; Traffic law enforcement; Training; Water; Work zone traffic control
• Uncontrolled Terms: Debris; Disabled vehicles; Patrol; Removal; Repairs
• Old TRIS Terms: Emergency traffic control devices; Freeway capacity
• Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology; Education and Training; Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; Pedestrians and Bicyclists; Safety and Human Factors; Security and Emergencies; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00218508
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Sep 22 1994 12:00AM