RI Deploying Service Trucks To Help Motorist, Calm Traffic On Highways

RHODE ISLAND — The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) on Tuesday launched a pilot program, where service vehicles will patrol Providence-area highways to help with disabled cars.

State transportation officials said the program is designed to help get disabled vehicles off the road faster in an effort to clear congestion on some of the state's busiest highways.

As is the model in other states with similar service vehicles, the RIDOT Roadside Responders will patrol high-volume highways in Providence and stop whenever they encounter a disabled vehicle. By getting people on their way as quickly as possible, this will reduce congestion and keep traffic flowing, reduce the risk of secondary crashes, and improve safety, RIDOT officials said.

The roadside responder vehicles are specially marked Ford F-350 pickup trucks equipped with safety lights and a variety of tools and supplies to help motorists in need. They will be able to provide fuel, change flat tires, make minor mechanical repairs, jump start a dead battery, or call for a tow truck if needed.

The vehicles also will assist first responders by providing traffic control during an incident and provide RIDOT real-time information regarding any potential issues or hazards such as potholes or debris in the road.

"These vehicles will be an extra set of hands and extra pair of eyes on our busiest highways," RIDOT Director Peter Alviti said. "By helping others who have the misfortune to break down on the side of the Interstate, we will keep the highways flowing better and safer for all drivers."

State officials said the pilot program is not meant to take the place of any roadside assistance or towing service, such as AAA. Drivers of disabled vehicles should still reach out to their roadside assistance providers as soon as possible after pulling over.

Under the pilot program, two trucks will patrol all of Interstate 195 in Rhode Island and Interstate 95 from the Massachusetts state line in Pawtucket to Airport Connector in Warwick during peak travel times, 6:30-9:30 a.m. and 3:30-6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

RIDOT will dispatch the roadside responder vehicles as needed. Each truck will be equipped with a GPS device to allow RIDOT to track their location in real-time.

RIDOT estimates that every year, the roadside responder service will save 238,000 hours of vehicle delays, 58,000 gallons of fuel and 580 tons of carbon emissions.

Based on the results of the pilot program, RIDOT may expand the services and add more vehicles, increase coverage times or include additional highways to patrol.

State officials said there is no cost to motorists who are aided by the roadside responder trucks. RIDOT is funding this program mostly through the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

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