Service Patrol Handbook

This FHWA Handbook provides an overview of the Full-Function Service Patrol (FFSP) for traffic incident response and management and describes desired program characteristics from the viewpoint of an agency that is responsible for funding, managing, and operating the services.

It provides guidelines and rules of thumb for operational characteristics, sponsorship, level of service, number of vehicles needed, vehicle types and equipment, patrol frequency, operator and manager training, and services provided.

The primary audience for the Handbook comprises department of transportation decision-makers, managers, operators, and practitioners who are responsible for, or are considering, implementing or upgrading an FFSP program as part of a strategy to reduce congestion.

Available online or PDF download (3.1 MB)

(Publication Number: FHWA-HOP-08-031, July 2008)