PUBLIC SERVICE PROGRAMS PAY OFF By WILLIAM T. SUNLEY, Engineer of Local Roads and Streets Illinois Department of Transportation

The typical motorist who visits one of the 42 rest area facilities in Illinois today enjoys a safe, clean, modern facility. It hasn't always been this way.

Prior to 1985, all Interstate Rest Areas in Illinois were maintained by roadway Maintenance personnel. Typically, a pair of rest areas were maintained by three (3) Highway Maintainers, supplemented by hourly summer help. This allocation of manpower allowed for two eight-hour shifts per day, seven days a week. Both rest areas in the pair were maintained by one person each shift. With this allocation, the standard of maintenance at Illinois rest areas was less than desired. Heavy summer and holiday usage overwhelmed rest area maintenance capacities. Complaint letters were growing.

In the fall of 1985, Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) management initiated discussions with the administrators of the newly-enacted Illinois State Use Law Program. This highly regarded program provides for direct negotiation between a State agency and an area sheltered Handicap Workshop to perform routine services for State agencies at a nominal fee. In Illinois, the lead agency for this program is the Department of Central Management Services (DCMS). A standard contract document was developed and the first contract with a sheltered workshop was implemented on May 1, 1986 for the Interstate 57 Trail of Tears Rest Areas in Southern Illinois. By the end of 1986, IDOT had implemented contract maintenance agreements for six pairs of rest areas.

Early field inspection comparisons revealed that the rest areas under contract were being maintained at a consistently higher level of service, especially in rest-room and building maintenance and litter pickup and at less cost. The main reason for the higher service levels has been the increased number of personnel, both male and female, that the workshops provide during each work shift.

In just four years, the State Use Program has been expanded to 31 rest area locations (13 pairs, 5 singles). By the end of 1990, all 44 Interstate Rest Areas (19 pairs, 6 singles) will be maintained by area sheltered workshops (excluding 2 pair being maintained by Women Owned Businesses).

In 1989, over 24 million travelers stopped at Illinois Interstate Rest Areas. Well maintained rest areas are important since this is one of the few instances where the traveler has a personal contact with a Department facility. By utilizing sheltered workshops, IDOT is now providing a consistently higher standard of maintenance at their rest areas at less cost to the taxpayers while providing meaningful work for over 350 people with various disabilities. This encourages motorists to make more frequent safety rest stops as they travel and improves the public image of Illinois.

Another way that IDOT employees have been assisting the motoring public is through a nationwide service program which has been adopted for use by the Department. The program is called "RADIO WATCH". This program is intended to provide a broad based communication system for the public in emergency situations. IDOT is working with law enforcement agencies by utilizing Department vehicles equipped with two-way radios to report hazardous situations, stranded motorists, and suspicious acts or crimes in progress.

Employee participation in the "RADIO WATCH" program is voluntary and is limited to observing and reporting. Employees are urged to report any questionable occurrence, hazardous situations or stranded motorists. Employees who come upon emergency or suspicious situations report the circumstances to their communication center which, in turn, notifies the appropriate assistance agency.

Radio equipped vehicles participating in the program are marked with "RADIO WATCH" decals, which are easily seen and recognized by the public. The employees have been instructed not to put themselves in any danger. They will not attempt to apprehend or arrest anyone. This will be left for the law enforcement agency contacted through IDOT's communication center. People in stalled vehicles will be taken to shelter and safety if they are in immediate danger.

If you require additional information on the "STATE USE" program or "RADIO WATCH" please contact the Central Bureau of Maintenance at 217-782-2984 or write to: Illinois Department of Transportation, Bureau of Maintenance, Room 009,2300 South Dirksen Parkway, Springfield, Illinois 62764.

December 1989 / Illinois Municipal Review / Page 15