Methods for the Design of Safety Service Patrol Beats: The Florida Road Ranger Case Study

Abstract

This paper introduces a framework for the design and deployment of safety service patrols (SSP) on freeways. Three mathematical programming models are proposed, with the targets of minimizing fleet size and total average response time and maximizing social benefits to accommodate various design objectives. Fast heuristic algorithms based on neighborhood searching techniques are presented for solving the optimization problems. In addition, a computer tool with a graphical user interface has been developed that takes roadway segments information as the input and provides real-world recommendations for deployment. The tool was tested using nearly 800 unique Florida roadway segments, totaling over 2,000 centerline freeway miles. The results were consistent with more than 100 current beats of Florida Road Ranger service patrols, and will be used for budget forecasting for the state.