Volume 18 • Number 1 March 2009

News from the Bay Area Freeway Service Patrol

Inside: Page New Wireless System Reduces New and Returning Contractors 2 Paperwork, Maintains High Upcoming Events 2 FSP Statistical Summaries 2 Levels of Service Quarterly Awards 3 by Adrian Fine, MTC SAFE The Public Speaks 4 n December of 2008, the entire Bay Area Freeway more attention.” CHP dispatchers in Service Patrol (FSP) fleet of 90 vehicles started using Vallejo also appreciate the reduction Iwireless mobile data computers – a.k.a. Rangers – in radio air traffic. to submit information about daily operations. The wireless data system also incorporates a global posi- Although the transition tioning system (GPS), took a year, use of wireless- allowing live remote moni- based data collection and toring of all the fleet vehi- fleet management technolo- cles. The GPS functionality gies has already streamlined allows the partner agencies work for the FSP drivers and to monitor fleet efficiency, the three partner agencies making sure that all vehicles that administer the program. are patrolling their assigned Statewide regulations beats at the right times. require FSP service providers “The wireless data sys- to collect data on their tem is a great tool for the assists, a process previously FSP program because it done by hand-recording helps ensure that public information on machine- A global positioning system (GPS) allows live remote monitoring of all dollars are spent efficiently readable daily shift records fleet vehicles. and effectively,” according (DSRs) that were collected will be easier: changes can be set up in to Sze Lei Leong of MTC SAFE. and sent to Caltrans for sorting and advance, and then deployed to the “Also, being able to track our fleet counting. Now, tow operators can use entire fleet at once. makes it easier for the CHP to locate the touchscreen on the Rangers Another improvement is that and respond to any tow operator who installed in their vehicles to enter whereas drivers used to radio calls to may need assistance.” details about an incident, such as vehi- the California Highway Patrol (CHP) In the near future, MTC antici- cle type, service provided and highway informing them that FSP was “on pates that locational data from FSP location. This information is sent scene” and dealing with a non-acci- and Caltrans tow trucks will flow into wirelessly to a central database that dent or non-fatal incident, now they the Advanced Transportation Man- stores the data in complete, intuitive can push the “on scene” button on agement System, which acts as a and searchable records. their Ranger computers. regional clearinghouse for transporta- Caltrans’ Traffic Management “I like the reduction in radio traf- tion-related information and assets. Center (TMC) staff love the new sys- fic,” said Steven Parker, a driver from This would provide visual informa- tem, because information is now more Yarbrough Bros. Towing. “It makes it tion to TMC operators on the where- accurate and can be pulled up faster. less noisy in the truck cab, so when abouts of reported incidents, and FSP Future changes to data collection also there is an important call, you pay and Caltrans tow trucks.

The FSP is a partnership of Caltrans, the California Highway Patrol, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission Service Authority for Freeways and Expressways (MTC SAFE) and local tow contractors. Web site: www.fsp-bayarea.org Beats Contractor 2009 Bay Area FSP Brings in Three 1 & 2 Redhill Towing & Autobody New, One Returning Contractor 4 & 26 Ken Betts’ Towing 6 Atlas Towing Service Every two years, Caltrans, CHP and 8, 19 & 23 Campbell’s Towing utable way to expand business into the 14 & 18 Myers Towing Service MTC SAFE invite Bay Area tow com- Bay region. Working with his wife, 20 Sideline Towing panies to apply for FSP beats. For the Tina, and son, Billy, Myers Towing 21 Matos Towing & Transport 2009 round, 16 of the 35 beats were will be operating beats 14 and 18, 25 K&S Towing open for bids, and a total of 42 pro- 28 Bill’s Towing covering from State 31 & 32 Courtesy Tow posals were received. The procurement Route 237 to Alvarado Niles Road. process allows the partner agencies to Courtesy Tow, Inc. is run by Upcoming Events evaluate contractor performance, man- Robert Sandoval, who has over 30 agement and quality of tow service in years of experience in the towing busi- Technical Advisory Committee order to maintain or recruit the best in ness. Courtesy Tow has been awarded (TAC) Meetings the industry to be part of the FSP pro- beats 31 and 32, which serve U.S. 101 8:30 a.m. Tuesdays at MTC, gram. south of San Jose, and State Route 85. MetroCenter After extensive evaluation, the All of Courtesy’s drivers are C.T.T.A- March 10, 2009 partners accepted a total of 14 propos- certified (California Tow Truck Associ- April 14, 2009 als from a pool of 10 tow companies. ation) and have at least four years of May 12, 2009 The contracts for these beats will begin June 9, 2009 experience. July 14, 2009 in July of 2009. Founded in 2005, Sideline Tow- August 11, 2009 In this round, three new contrac- ing is a relatively new addition to the September 8, 2009 tors were accepted into the program: Bay Area tow world. Nevertheless, Myers Towing Service of Modesto, owner Bismar Hernandez prides his Tow Contractors Meetings Courtesy Tow of San Jose and Sideline company on their attention to safety, 11 a.m. Tuesdays at MTC, Towing of San Francisco. Atlas Towing appearance and professional certifica- MetroCenter of Redwood City, a prior FSP contrac- tion. These qualities make a great FSP March 10, 2009 tor, is also returning to the program. contractor, and we wish Sideline all May 12, 2009 We would like to welcome these four the best as they begin service on beat July 14, 2009 September 8, 2009 companies to the Bay Area Freeway 20, which includes and Service Patrol! south of San Francisco. Quarterly Driver Refresher Founded in 1986, Myers Towing The partners are happy to wel- Training Service is an energetic family-run busi- come Atlas Towing back to the FSP 11 a.m. at CHP, Dublin ness. Owner and operator Hurshel program. Atlas Towing was an FSP March 18 & 19, 2009 Myers sees the FSP program as a rep- (continued on page 4) June 18 & 25, 2009 September 17 & 24, 2009 Third Quarter 2008 Statistical Summary 11 a.m. at CHP, GGD (July – September 2008) March 20, 2009 June 26, 2009 Total number of assists = 38,947 September 18, 2009 Percentage of assists involving people = 51.9 percent 11 a.m. at MTC, Oakland Average number of assists per hour per truck = 0.97 (urban beats) & 0.88 (rural beats) March 27, 2009 Percentage of motorist survey returns = 16.7 percent June 17, 2009 Percentage of surveys rating service as excellent = 96.9 percent September 16, 2009 Average motorist wait time = 8.9 minutes Proficiency Testing 7 a.m. at CHP, GGD Fourth Quarter 2008 Statistical Summary May 11, 2009 (October – December 2008) June 1, 2009 Total number of assists = 29,375 August 10, 2009 Percentage of assists involving people = 51.1 percent Certification Class Average number of assists per hour per truck = 0.77 (urban beats) & 0.73 (rural beats) 7 a.m. at CHP, GGD Percentage of motorist survey returns = 14.3 percent May 20-22, 2009 Percentage of surveys rating service as excellent = 96.9 percent June 10-12, 2009 Average motorist wait time = 9.0 minutes August 19-21, 2009

On Patrol/March 2009 -2- 500 assists, all without a single error Quarterly Awards or complaint. And nearly 30 percent Third Quarter, of his people assists returned a survey, July – September 2008 which is a good way for the partners Palace Garage drivers Henry and William by Adrian Fine, MTC SAFE to see what a great job Nelson is doing every day! Davidson and Jeremy York drivers on beat 22 recorded an assist Driver of the Beat of the Quarter Quarter rate of 1.23 assists per hour per truck. Palace Garage’s Beat 22 is, as driver As both an FSP Henry Davidson puts it, “the main Contractor of the Quarter driver and a field artery into the area.” And he’s Yarbrough Bros. Towing, based in supervisor for Palace right: Beat 22 covers 17 miles of Inter- Santa Rosa, operates only one FSP Garage, Ray Nelson state 580, from Santa Rita Road in beat, but they operate it with pride often does double Raymond Nelson, Pleasanton to Grant Line Road near and professionalism. Drivers Steven Palace Garage duty while patrolling Tracy. This is a major route for big Parker and Nick Nohr patrol U.S. 101 beat 4, covering State Route 238 and rigs, and all three drivers on the beat – from East Washington to River Road, Interstate 880 from 238 to the Broad- brothers Henry and William David- about 20 miles each way. Owners way exit in Oakland. However, that son, and Jeremy York – agree that Robert and Michele Inskeep take care never stops him from smiling. Nelson trucks pose a special of all the paperwork and adminis- has been FSP-certified since 1999, and challenge. In the sec- trative issues. Together, this team is in 2008, he won the coveted Public ond quarter of 2008, effective and it shows in their sta- Choice award, which goes to the FSP beat 22 had near- tistics. During the second quarter driver with the most praise from the perfect accuracy on Steven Parker and of 2008, Yarbrough Bros. recorded public. Nelson always works with a their DSRs, 24 per- Nick Nohr of 650 assists, zero data errors or vio- Yarbrough Bros. Towing professional attitude and has a keen cent of their surveys lations, a praiseworthy assist rate awareness that FSP is a regional pro- returned, and a low motorist wait time (especially in a rural area) of 0.94 gram, not just a series of beats. During of 7.7 minutes. On top of all that, the assists per hour per truck, and a 100 Quarter 2 of 2008, he marked up over percent excellent service rating.

single tow truck. Damon Vacaville, or on to Sacramento. With Quarterly Awards Angle, one of the drivers on three tow trucks, the beats cover all of Fourth Quarter, the beat, has been FSP-cer- Interstate 780, and I-680 from the October – December 2008 tified since 2006, and has Benicia-Martinez Bridge to the Inter- by Adrian Fine, MTC SAFE proven to be an exception- state 80 . This stretch of ally reliable and professional road is bumpy and spotted with pot- Driver of the Quarter tow operator. In 2008, holes. Accord- Karl Offerman, Richard Murray, a former he completed over Roadrunner ing to FSP marine, has been certified 1,600 assists, and Tow Manager Karl with the FSP since 2005, and received an “excellent” Offerman, can be found driving a Matos rating from 98 percent of “Many of our Towing Toyota Tundra service motorists. Henry Davidson, an assists deal with truck along the 21.5 miles of FSP supervisor for Palace Garage, blown or worn Richard Murray, Damon Angle and beat 21 – the longest stretch Matos Towing also is a regular driver on the beat. tires.” And sec- of any FSP beat. Patrolling In the second quarter of 2008, tions of the Henry Davidson, from Scott Creek Road Davidson and Angle were the only beats have no Palace Garage in Fremont to Alcosta Blvd. in Dublin beat to achieve all 7 points on their shoulders, furthering the need for FSP is no easy task – it is one of the busiest report card, meaning they achieved or to clear incidents quickly. In the sec- beats for motorist assists. According to exceeded all of the goals for the pro- ond quarter of 2008, the two beats Matos’ FSP Manager David Schley, gram: low motorist wait times, zero recorded a program high of 1.22 (beat “Richard is a professional and a team- violations, 20 percent survey return 24) and 1.06 (beat 29) assists per player, and he always has the safety rate, and an assist rate above 0.75 truck per hour, and zero violations. and morale of his crew in mind.” assists per truck per hour. Surveys from the beats were received Beat of the Quarter Contractor of the Quarter from over 20 percent of all incidents, Beat 35 covers I-680 from Alcosta Operating beats 24 and 29, Roadrun- with an average rating of 97.5 percent. Blvd. in San Ramon to Stone Valley ner Tow ensures that Bay Area Motorists served by Roadrunner Tow Road in Alamo, and is patrolled by a motorists can drive safely to Fairfield, are excited to voice their thanks!

-3- On Patrol/March 2009 The Public Speaks make a stressful and somewhat scary situa- On Patrol is published periodically by tion a lot easier. He was friendly, profession- the Metropolitan Transportation Com- mission Service Authority for Freeways al and efficient. He removed the shield that and Expressways (MTC SAFE). otorists continue to mail, e-mail had partially fallen off the bottom of my car, Joseph P. Bort MetroCenter and phone in praise and grati- 101 Eighth Street put it in my trunk and gave me directions to Oakland, CA 94607-4700 tude for their experiences with 510.817.5700 M get back on the freeway safely. He would TDD/TTY 510.817.5769 the FSP program. Here are a few recent not accept a tip. I truly appreciate this serv- FAX 510.817.5848 Web site comments. ice and the great demeanor of Mr. Nelson!” MTC Executive Director: Steve Heminger Voicemail (2/2/09) “Thank you so much to Deputy Executive Directors: (6/30/08) “I was assisted by one of Ann Flemer, Andrew Fremier & FSP. I had no idea this service Therese W. McMillan your drivers, Xavier Nabalta, when I Director, Highway & Arterial Operations: existed until I got a flat on my way to work Albert Yee ran out of gas on the freeway. He was help- this morning. I had called AAA but the FSP MTC SAFE Senior Program Coordinator: Jaime C. Maldonado ful and courteous, and I wanted to say thank driver showed up after only 10 minutes of you, and keep up the good work!” On Patrol Editor: waiting. He was friendly, quick and helpful. Adrian Fine 510.817.5753 This is an incredible help to commuters and Copy Editor: Karin Betts (10/23/08) “My car was stalled on I am glad this service exists. Keep up the Graphics the exit ramp of eastbound Inter- great work and thank you to driver Moises Design/Production: David L. Cooper state 580 and William Davidson of the Free- Photos (unless otherwise indicated): Reyes for his help!” Sze Lei Leong & Adrian Fine way Service Patrol helped me out. I was Printing: Autumn Press stranded on the off-ramp, could not exit the California Highway Patrol, Letters Golden Gate Division car, and I almost got hit twice. I appreciate (11/24/08) “This a thank-you note Chief Cathy Sulinski; Lt. Eric Rozenoff; the service that Davidson provided, and I Sergeant Steve Barruel; Officers Eric for driver David Ruiz. He was help- Butawan, Gary Lee, Joe Samuels and Mar- just wanted to thank him for helping me.” cos Rodriguez; Staff Service Analyst ful, made me feel comfortable and treated Dwyane Potts me with total respect. He did a great service Caltrans, District 4 E-mail District Director: Bijan Sartipi on my broken car. I am a 65-year-old lady Deputy Director of Operations: (10/6/08) “This service is great! and thank God there are young men of his Sean Nozzari Today I had a flat tire on 101 and I caliber providing this service.” Office Chief: Cyrus Mashhoodi pulled over, but before I could even get out Caltrans FSP Staff: Norman Anderson, Scotty Hsiao, of my car there was a Freeway Service Patrol Kane Wong 510.286.5917 truck behind me. They changed my flat and Contractors Local Tow Contractors: I was on my way. This is an amazing service Tony Singh (Continued from page 2) A-One Towing, Richmond and the gentlemen were really friendly. Way Vincent Haavisto and Kim Skinner to go!” contractor for many years, earning the cov- All Ways Towing and Transport, Fremont Richard Bilafer eted Contractor of the Year award in 1996. B & A Body Works and Towing, (11/9/08) “On November 3, my Founded in 1920, Atlas has shops in San San Francisco Richard Valles truck decided to quit just as I was Francisco and San Mateo. Atlas Towing will B & D Towing, Concord getting on the freeway at the Stevenson patrol beat 6, one of the program’s busiest Steve Barnes Bill’s Towing, Novato south onramp. I coasted to the side of the and most prominent beats, covering U.S. Joe Scarff and Leon Esquenazi freeway and considered what to do next. 101 from Foster City to the San Francisco Campbell’s Towing, San Jose Khurram Shah Before I could decide, Mike Nunes pulls up city limits, and State Route 92 from the San K & S Towing, Bay Point behind me. In no time I was hooked up, Mateo Bridge to U.S. 101. Ken Betts and Roger Craig Ken Betts’ Towing, Oakland towed off the freeway and dropped off not The FSP program bids a fond farewell Lupe Lima five blocks from my home. Mike was to three of its current contractors: B&D LimaTowing, Santa Clara Towing of Concord, All Ways Towing & David Schely extremely courteous and helpful in what Matos Towing and Transport, San Jose could have been a bad situation. You've got Transport of Fremont, and A-One Towing Nelson V. Lopez a great employee here, treat him well. Thank of Richmond. They will be missed, and Nelson’s Tow, San Francisco Bill Hemenez you, Mike, and thanks to the Freeway Serv- their years of service are appreciated. Palace Garage, San Leandro ice Patrol!” Joe Paz Sr. Redhill Towing, San Rafael Jim Inglebright and Karl Offerman (1/12/09) “I was assisted this morn- Roadrunner Tow, Fairfield Rick Hart ing on the side of Interstate 880 by Sierra Hart, Napa driver Ray Nelson. He saw I needed aid and Horace C. Robinson Sunrise Enterprise 87, East Palo Alto stopped to help. I understand it is his job Glenn Neal and he gets paid to do it, but he helped VacavilleTow, Vacaville Michelle Inskeep Yarbrough Bros. Towing, Santa Rosa

On Patrol/March 2009 -4-