A Metro FSP Big Rig truck. Photo: Metro FSP

The Metro Freeway Service Patrol (FSP) Big Rig Tow Truck Program is a congestion mitigation program that specifically targets large disabled trucks and semi-tractor trailers. FSP Big Rig currently serves both the 91 and 710 freeways in Los Angeles County.

With $1.5 million in financial support from the Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee (MSRC), Metro’s FSP Big Rig operations on SR-91 have recently hit a milestone of 10,000 motorist assists as of March 2014. This falls in line with the MSRC’s goals of reducing air pollution from motor vehicles, as well as Metro FSP’s goals of keeping traffic lanes moving by quickly clearing incidents — including those involving big rigs — from Los Angeles’ freeways.

For every vehicle-hour of traffic delay about 1.7 gallons of fuel are unnecessarily consumed and about 33.8 pounds of additional carbon dioxide are released into the air along with other harmful emissions, exacerbating the region’s often poor air quality. By quickly and efficiently aiding disabled vehicles, the FSP Big Rig program has been able to help keep traffic flowing and reduce congestion related air pollution. Metro’s FSP Big Rig program has been estimated to save motorists over 500,000 vehicle-hours of delay every year.

FSP Big Rig can tow/repair a jack-knifed tractor/trailer rig, pull the vehicle from traffic lanes to the roadway shoulder, make a temporary repair to minor water and fuel leaks, assist with brakes, or provide sufficient fuel to travel to the nearest fueling facility.  Big Rig Service is provided Monday through Friday from 5 am to 7 pm. FSP Big Rig currently operates on the 91 and 710, two of the busiest truck routes in Los Angeles County.

In addition to the Big Rig FSP service on the 91 and 710 freeways, Metro’s light duty FSP program offers assistance to cars and other vehicles, up to a maximum of 6,000 lbs, on most freeways in Los Angeles. For FSP roadside assistance, motorists can call 511 from any cellphone and request motorist aid. FSP can assist with changing a flat tire, jump starting a car, refilling radiators, providing up to one gallon of gasoline, and towing a stranded car to a safe location off the freeway. Light duty FSP service is provided Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., and on weekends from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.