Nonrecurrent freeway congestion, such as the type caused by vehicle collisions and breakdown incidents, not only increases commute time but also often increases tailpipe emissions along the impacted corridor. Automobiles run inefficiently in stop and go traffic conditions frequently encountered in a freeway backup; this engine operating inefficiency translates directly into greater fuel consumption and increased emissions of criteria air pollution. Roving Freeway Service Patrols (FSP) are a proven method of addressing nonrecurrent traffic congestion. FSP are able to quickly locate and clear vehicles blocking freeway lanes, significantly mitigating the length of freeway backup and reducing the time necessary for freeway recovery. By reducing congestion, tailpipe emissions are also reduced.
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The expanded FSP service was provided by private tow companies under competitively-procured contracts. The MSRC-funded expanded beats include the following: Beat 11 - 210/134 Freeway from Orange Grove Ave. to Santa Anita; Beat 13 - SR-60 from 3rd Street to Crossroads Parkway; Beat 19 - I-405 from Normandie Ave to the Orange County line; Beat 30 - I-710 from Willow Street to Firestone Blvd; Beat 37 - I-605 from Huntington Drive to Telgraph Road; and Beat 44 - I-210 from Sunflower Avenue the San Bernardino line.
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro), in partnership with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and the California Highway Patrol (CHP) manages the largest fleet of tow and service trucks in the nation. Metro Freeway Service Patrol operates 152 tow trucks on a contract basis, providing over 315,000 assists to stranded motorists each year. The tow and service trucks operate along 41 freeway segments, called "beats", and patrol over 450 miles of Los Angeles County freeways. The MSRC, using its Clean Transportation Funding, awarded funds to Metro to expand its FSP service. The expanded service included adding mid-day service and weekend service to five (5)existing FSP beats. The contract also included funding for peak-hour service along the newly completed section of the 210 Freeway between the SR-57 freeway and the San Bernardino County line.
The emission benefits associated with FSP are calculated using a model developed by the Institute of Transportation Studies at the University of California - Berkeley. FSP service reduces freeway congestion by responding to an incident faster than would occur using traditional law enforcement resources only. This faster response time translates into smoother traffic flow and reduced fuel consumption. The reduction in fuel consumption reduces overall tailpipe emissions. The fuel usage and tailpipe emission rates used in the computer model are the most current EMFAC values published by the California Air Resources Board. The quantified emission reductions attributable to this project are provided below.
During the MSRC contract period, August 2003 through August 2006, 25,958 motorist assists attributable to the expanded FSP service.
Hadley Tow Company
Tow Masters Company
J&M Towing Company
Frank Scotto Tow Company
Bob & Dave's Towing Company
Caltrans