The Hoosier Helper program freeway service patrol program in Northwest Indiana had a projected benefit-to-cost ratio of 4.7:1 for daytime operations, and 13.3:1 for 24 hour operations.
Date Posted
09/21/2000
Identifier
2000-B00002
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Cost-Effectiveness Evaluation of Hoosier Helper Freeway Service Patrol

Summary Information

The Hoosier Helper program is a roving freeway service patrol program in Northwest Indiana. The program began operating between 6:00 AM and 8:30 PM on 30 August 1991. The service was expanded and started providing 24 hour operations 7 days a week during the 1996 Memorial Day weekend. The program maintains a total of six vehicles, with a minimum of two used in the 24 hour service.



Hoosier Helper patrols 26 km (16 mi) of the Borman Expressway (I-80/94) near Gary, Indiana. Also, the program patrols a 13 km (8 mi) section of I-65. The program provides support during incidents, and assists drivers free of charge by changing flat tires, supplying fuel, and calling tow trucks.



This study estimates that during daytime operations the total annual benefit of the program is $1,937,800 ($1,241,300 from nonrecurring delay, $618,200 from Secondary crash reduction, and $78,300 from vehicle operating cost savings). Total annual cost for these operations are $411,200, yielding a benefit-to-cost ratio of 4.7:1 for daytime operations (using 1995 dollars).



Also, this study estimates that for the 24 hour operations the total benefit for a seven month study period is $5,496,600 ($3,708,100 for nonrecurring delay, $1,539,100 for secondary crash reductions, and $249,400 for vehicle operating cost savings). The cost of operations for the same study period were $413,900, yielding a benefit-to-cost ratio of 13.3:1 for 24 hour operations (using 1996 dollars).

Goal Areas
Deployment Locations