April 17, 2003
Mayor Williams, Congresswoman Norton, and Congressman Moran Launch District Emergency Road Patrol
(Washington, DC) Mayor Anthony A. Williams, joined by Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton and Congressman Jim Moran today launched the District Department of Transportation's Roadway Operations Patrol (ROP), the city's new motorist assistance operation. ROP, which began operation in April, minimizes tie-ups from roadway accidents and other incidents, improves safety at incident sites and reduces air pollution from idling vehicles.
The launch was at 14th and C Streets, SW, near the 14th Street Bridge, one of ROP's principal routes.
ROP manages roadside incidents in coordination with the Metropolitan Police Department, the District's Fire and Emergency Medical Services (FEMS) Department and with counterpart agencies from Virginia and Maryland. ROP supplies quick, free, on-the-spot help to stranded motorists on major bridges and highways as well as assistance at major and minor crashes and deals with disabled vehicles, hazmat spills, roadside debris and abandoned vehicles. Assistance includes jump-starts, towing, water, travel directions, tire repair and setting up proper traffic control to minimize congestion and improve air quality.
ROP is concentrating on rush-hour incidents with two weekday shifts from 6 am to 10 pm. In addition to the 14th Street Bridge, ROP is patrolling such high volume highways as the Anacostia Freeway, the SW/SE Freeway, Canal Road and New York Avenue. Twenty-four operations are planned.
Extensive training is a key part of ROP, including instruction in incident management, CPR and automated defibrillation, basic mechanics and minor vehicle repair, detour planning, customer relations, defensive driving and radio communications.
An incentive grant from the Federal Highway Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation, awarded to the District for high seat belt usage, is funding $300,000 of the $420,000 per year cost. These incentive funds will be used to carry the program through the end of the fiscal year while DDOT works with FHWA to fund the program on an ongoing basis using Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality monies.
