Motorists Now Have A HERO In Texas Roadways, Officials Announce

AUSTIN, TX — Starting Monday, new trucks that can clear minor crashes from area roadways started patrolling Interstate 35 and U.S. 183 as part of the expansion of the Highway Emergency Response Operator, or HERO, patrol service program, officials said.

The free roadside service will cover 138 miles along I-35, US 183, US 290, SH 71 and MoPac by Jan. 1, 2018, officials at the Texas Department of Transportation said.

The newly designed HERO trucks began patrolling I-35 in Hays County and US 183 in Del Valle in October. Phase 2, which kicked off Monday, places additional trucks on I-35 from Georgetown to Kyle, and US 183, from Lakeline Mall Drive to US 290. On Jan. 1, 2018, the updated fleet will begin patrols on SH 71 and MoPac.

Established in 2010, the HERO program, in partnership with the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority and the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO), began patrols along 34 miles of I-35, and has proven successful in providing assistance to stranded motorists and minimizing traffic delays throughout the Capital region. In 2015, the HERO program assisted more than 14,000 motorists, officials said.

The new HERO trucks are equipped with not only fuel and water for stranded motorists, they also have digital message signs and cameras that can send live images back to the Combined Transportation Emergency and Communications Center (CTECC), to help with incident management, TxDot officials added.

“Our vision for the HERO roadside assistance program is to improve safety and clear lanes quickly, so we can have a meaningful impact on travel time, while addressing congestion,” said Terry McCoy, Austin District Engineer. “We are excited to continue to improve upon the success of a program that has already changed so many lives for the better.”

HERO services include:

• Relocating disabled vehicles to safety.
• Removing minor crashes from the roadway.
• Providing traffic and lane control at crash scenes.
• Removing debris from travel lanes.
• Changing flat tires.
• Giving air to low tires.
• Adding gasoline and water.
• Performing minor vehicle repairs.
• Jump-starting batteries.
• Assisting first responders at crash scenes.
• Providing drinking water and cell phone services to stranded motorists.

The $3.6 million annual cost of the program is shared between TxDOT and CAMPO. Serco, Inc. manages and operates the HERO program. Motorists can call 512-974-HERO (4376) between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, if they need assistance.

Keep that number handy as part of your contacts should you become stranded on the highway. Watch the video below to learn more:

>>> Top image via Texas Department of Transportation