Recently Completed

What's Being Done

The Transportation Operations Center uses advanced technology to monitor traffic, keep it moving, and keep motorists informed of traffic conditions.

The center is currently expanding its freeway traffic management system to monitor interstate traffic from Williamsburg to Virginia Beach. We are currently in the third and final phase of expansion.

Benefits

New cameras, sensors, and electronic message signs are used along with VDOT’s highway advisory radio system at 610AM, 511 Virginia and the VirginiaDOT.org Web site to provide motorists with useful information that helps them adjust their travel plans to avoid traffic delays.

Features

VDOT traffic controllers monitor highway conditions from the Traffic Operations Center using an advanced computer system linked to video cameras and electronic sensors along the road. The sensors, designed to detect unusual changes in traffic patterns, are linked by fiber optic cable to the center's computer system. Cameras allow traffic controllers to zoom in on an incident and pinpoint its exact location.

Controllers then use variable message signs, Highway Advisory Radio System broadcasts (610 AM), VirginiaDOT.org, 511 Virginia and the media to alert motorists to traffic congestion and alternate routes. They’re also able to coordinate and share information with the Virginia State Police, so incidents are cleared faster.

The completed traffic management system will include:

• 113 miles of interstate


• 288 cameras


• 244 variable message signs


• 2,332 vehicle detection devices

Project Updates

VDOT TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
TECHNOLOGY IN FINAL PHASE OF
HAMPTON ROADS EXPANSION


Over the summer motorists may notice new electronic devices installed along Interstate 64 from the Interstate 664 interchange in Hampton to the Lightfoot exit in Williamsburg. Crews with the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) have been busy working on the final stages of a Transportation Operations Center (TOC) expansion project bringing new Variable Message (VMS) Boards, additional traffic cameras, interstate lighting and vehicle detection sensors to Interstate 64 and arterial roads on the peninsula.

This latest addition of smart technology is part of a three-phase expansion that links the VDOT TOC in Virginia Beach to all major parts of Hampton Roads interstates. With the use of this real-time traffic management system to monitor interstate traffic from Williamsburg to Virginia Beach, VDOT can keep motorists up to date on traffic conditions, help police and other emergency responders locate incidents quicker, and clear roads faster with VDOT’s Safety Service Patrol.

This final expansion phase will add 80 cameras, 87 VMS boards, 270 vehicle detection sensors and interstate lighting to Hampton Roads interstates. When complete, motorists will be able to use traffic cameras to view more than 113 miles of highway throughout Hampton Roads, up from the current 90 miles of coverage area in the system. Project completion is scheduled for summer 2008. Project integration into the Traffic Management System will be complete winter 2008.

Contacts

Nora Jump-Scott, 757-925-3606