JACKSON, Tenn. – Today, the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) announced the launch of its Rural Service Patrol (RSP) in Region 4 in West Tennessee, marking the next phase of a statewide expansion to bring HELP incident response to rural interstate corridors. This launch provides dedicated roadside assistance, quick clearance support, and enhanced safety coverage across heavily traveled areas of rural Tennessee.
Currently, TDOT’s HELP trucks patrol the state’s four largest urban areas: Nashville, Knoxville, Chattanooga, and Memphis. With this expansion, the Rural Service Patrol has already begun in Regions 4 and 2 and will be fully deployed statewide by Summer 2026, ultimately covering more than 870 miles of rural interstate.
Region 4 Overview:
– 17 dedicated RSP staff supporting rural HELP operations
– 11 fully equipped RSP trucks positioned strategically across the region
– 595 weekly patrol hours ensuring consistent coverage
– 5 defined RSP routes along Region 4 Interstates
– Real-time support via TDOT’s Transportation Management Center for rapid dispatching and coordination
The Rural Service Patrol provides no-cost roadside assistance and incident response services, including:
– Active patrols from 6:00 a.m.–10:30 p.m. daily
– On-call overnight support for major incidents, lane closures, and traffic control (10:30 p.m. – 6:00 a.m. local time)
– Fuel, water, and minor mechanical assistance for stranded motorists
– First aid, debris removal, and queue protection to reduce secondary crashes
– Maintenance reporting, including guardrail damage or roadway hazards
– Coordination with THP, local agencies, and TDOT personnel
RSP is funded through the General Assembly’s historic investment in TDOT’s transportation budget, which included new recurring General Fund dollars dedicated to roadway safety. Approximately $16.7 million supports the Rural Service Patrol statewide.
Following a competitive procurement process, TDOT selected AutoBase, Inc., a national leader with over 25 years of incident response experience, 600+ operators, and a fleet of 400 patrol vehicles across 10 states, to operate the service.
Since 1999, TDOT’s HELP Program has reduced congestion, improved safety, and assisted thousands of motorists in Tennessee’s urban areas. The Rural Service Patrol expands this mission to the state’s rural corridors, where response time is critical to preventing secondary crashes and saving lives.
