Citation

Caylor P. Am. City Cty. 1998; 113(8): 2 p..

Copyright

(Copyright © 1998, Penton Media)

DOI

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PMID

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Abstract

In preparation for the 1996 Summer Olympics, the Georgia Department of Transportation initiated the Highway Emergency Response Operators (HERO) program, which was established to render aid to stranded motorists and accident victims. A component of Georgia's "Navigator" intelligent transportation system (ITS) program, HERO was designed to keep traffic flowing, aid in accident removal, and help visitors find their way around Atlanta. HERO's objectives also include minimizing traffic disruption whenever there is an "incident" such as a flat tire or material spilling off vehicles, and attending to stalled vehicles. At the outset, HERO consisted of 10 operators, the incident management coordinator, and his assistant. The program has been so successful that, in November 1997, it was expanded to 26 operators and four supervisors, and 16 vehicles were added. The beefed-up operation now serves 175 mi (282 km) of highway during peak hours and 247 mi (397 km) during nonpeak hours.