TDOT Rural Service Patrol Launches in East Tennessee

The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) announced the launch of its Rural Service Patrol (RSP) in Region 1 in East Tennessee, marking the next phase of a statewide expansion to bring HELP incident response to rural interstate corridors. This launch provides dedicated roadside assistance, expedited clearance support, and enhanced safety coverage in Tennessee’s heavily traveled rural areas.

Currently, TDOT’s HELP trucks patrol the state’s four largest urban areas: Nashville, Knoxville, Chattanooga, and Memphis. The Rural Service Patrol will be fully deployed statewide by Summer 2026, ultimately covering more than 870 miles of rural interstate.

Region 1 Overview:

40 dedicated RSP staff supporting rural HELP operations
25 fully equipped RSP trucks positioned strategically across the region
1344 weekly patrol hours ensuring consistent coverage
12 defined RSP routes along Region 1 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.