New pickups will help out stranded motorists
Pilot effort will begin on I-235
Two new service pickups rolled out by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation will help commuters along Interstate 235.
I-235 between Oklahoma City and Edmond is one of the state’s most crowded stretches of highway, and construction there can create a dangerous situation for motorists stranded because of a flat tire or empty fuel tank.
The pickups, which resemble ambulances with their bulky frames and flashing lights, will be able to swoop in and assist drivers who experience bad luck on the roadway. Known as GO-DOT, the pilot program will initially focus on the construction zone between I-44 and NW 36 Street in Oklahoma City from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m. weekdays.
“Once that’s completed, then the GO-DOT vehicles will be in other work zones, other parts of the city, and will be able to help people get out of the way so that they’re not the cause of backups and collisions,” said Executive Director Mike Patterson.
Similar pickups may eventually be used across the state.
Stranded vehicles can be moved out of the way to the nearest safe location with the pickups’ towing capabilities. The GO-DOT pickups can also be used to help charge batteries, give enough fuel to make
it down the road or transport up to four passengers out of hazardous areas. Allen Contracting, the private company working on the I-235 construction project, will operate the vehicles until early 2019. At that point, ODOT will take possession of the pickups and provide operators to drive them.
According to the agency, the two new Ford F-450 pickups cost more than $400,000 to buy and equip. They can each lift 3,500 pounds and tow large vehicles, RVs and travel trailers.
“What a great idea. This is going to save lives; there’s not a doubt in my mind,” said Rusty Rhoades, Department of Public Safety commissioner.
Rhoades has been a state trooper for almost three decades and said he’s been on calls to assist motorists and deal with cars stalled in construction zones.
“I’ve been to those crashes that happen because the roadway is shut down. I’ve seen lives change; I’ve seen lives end because we couldn’t get someone to them quick enough to resolve that issue,” he said during a meeting of the Oklahoma Transportation Commission on Monday.
Transportation Department Chief Engineer Casey Shell noted that the biggest problem with stranded vehicles is the likelihood of a secondary crash as passing motorists are distracted.
“These secondary accidents often are even more dangerous than the initial cause of the slow down,” Shell said. “By keeping the lanes and shoulders clear and limiting distractions, we hope this service will reduce crashes and congestion in the work zone.”