| RELEASE: CONTACT: |
IMMEDIATE Sarah Sager (757) 424-9941 Sarah.Sager@VDOT.virginia.gov Harry Kenyon (757) 925-1660 |
HRO-0705 Feb. 12, 2007 |
VDOT WORKS AROUND THE CLOCK KEEPING AN
EYE ON ROADWAYS AND ASSISTING MOTORISTS VDOTs Safety Service Patrol responds to more than 43,000 events on Hampton Roads interstates in 2006
VDOT WORKS AROUND THE CLOCK KEEPING AN
EYE ON ROADWAYS AND ASSISTING MOTORISTS
VDOT’s Safety Service Patrol responds to more than 43,000 events on Hampton Roads interstates in 2006
An integral part of VDOT’s Smart Traffic Center, the SSP patrols 102 miles of interstate, 24-hours a day, 365 days a year, in all types of weather. From helping change a flat tire and giving directions to assisting with mechanical problems and incident response, SSP operators provide daily assistance to motorists in need and help ease traffic congestion.
In 2006, VDOT’s SSP responded to 43,172 events on Hampton Roads interstates. An event includes assisting a motorist with a disabled vehicle, clearing debris, providing assistance during incidents on the roadway, and responding to abandoned vehicles. Each of these tasks is equally important in reducing congestion and preventing accidents on the roadway.
“In 2006, we expanded our Safety Service Patrol routes and staff to better assist motorists,” said Stephany Hanshaw, facility manager of VDOT’s Smart Traffic Center.
“One of the best ways to reduce congestion throughout Hampton Roads is to respond quickly to disabled vehicles, accidents and motorists who need assistance,” said Hanshaw. “By expanding our routes and adding additional patrollers, we’re able to cover more interstate miles and respond faster to any incident on the interstate. The average SSP response time in 2006 was eight minutes and the average clearance time for non-crash events was less than 20 minutes”
The Safety Service Patrol is the visible part of VDOT’s Smart Traffic Center, but there are others who work behind the scenes to help reduce congestion in Hampton Roads. VDOT Control Room Operators monitor the roadways via the cameras along the interstate. Whether it’s updating an overhead sign and posting new information on 610 AM or alerting local traffic reporters to traffic conditions and coordinating with emergency responders to assist in incident management, Control Room Operators work diligently to make sure motorists throughout Hampton Roads have the information they need to make smart travel choices.
“There are many departments at the Smart Traffic Center that work together for a common goal: to help motorists throughout Hampton Roads spend less time in traffic and more time with family and friends,” said Hanshaw. “I’m proud of all that our staff has accomplished in 2006 and look forward to continuing to improve our service delivery to Hampton Roads motorists in 2007.”
For the latest information about traffic and construction in Hampton Roads, motorists can dial 511, listen to 610 AM or visit www.VirginiaDOT.org. Motorists also are encouraged to call VDOT’s Hampton Roads TrafficLine at 757-361-3016 to hear the Highway Advisory Radio transmission from 610 AM and to access bridge and tunnel information.
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Page last modified: Monday, February 12, 2007
