The Chief of Police for the Houston Police Department recommends that City Council approve an Interlocal Agreement between the City of Houston and the Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) for participation in the Freeway Crash Removal Pilot Program.
The Houston Police Department, with assistance from the Houston Fire Department, is the lead agency tasked with investigating crashes on the freeway. During these crashes, HFD blocks freeway lanes to protect first responders and occupants of crashed vehicles while determining the extent of injuries. HFD does not have authority to order the vehicles removed from the freeway and therefore must await HPD authorization to move the vehicles.
The City of Houston, through HPD, is developing a pilot program to remove crashes from the freeway through remote investigation. HPD officers will remotely investigate crashes and authorize their removal from the freeway, if appropriate. The goal of the program is to remove crashes efficiently to restore traffic flow, reduce calls for service, and protect the public and first responders from the risk of secondary crashes on extended scenes.
H-GAC will provide grant funding of up to $210,000.00 with no cost obligation to the City. A pre-program evaluation period will be March 1, 2020 to May 30, 2020, and the pilot program will begin June 1, 2020 to November 30, 2020. A post-program evaluation will be conducted from December 1, 2020 to January 31, 2021.
Fiscal Note:
No Fiscal Note is required for grant items.
___________________________________________
Art Acevedo
Chief of Police