Virginia expands travel information on I-66

Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is to expand the traffic information system on Interstate 66 (I-66). Motorists will now see travel times displayed on overhead message signs for the 35 miles from Washington to Haymarket. VDOT has been posting the number of miles and minutes to key destinations at three locations between the Capital Beltway and Gainesville since August 2011. Message signs will display the information at seven new locations. In addition, by summer, six more locations will be ad
April 4, 2013 Read time: 2 mins
1747 Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is to expand the traffic information system on Interstate 66 (I-66).  Motorists will now see travel times displayed on overhead message signs for the 35 miles from Washington to Haymarket.  VDOT has been posting the number of miles and minutes to key destinations at three locations between the Capital Beltway and Gainesville since August 2011.  Message signs will display the information at seven new locations. In addition, by summer, six more locations will be added: two on I-66 and four locations on major roads approaching I-66.  Travel times will be displayed weekdays from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. and weekends from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

VDOT is using traffic data from 163 Inrix and other sources to determine the travel times. Traffic controllers at the Public Safety Transportation Operations Center in Fairfax County will ensure the travel times are successfully relayed to the electronic message signs and are accurately refreshed every five minutes.

 “This will give motorists continually updated information on traffic conditions ahead, allowing them to take more control over their commute,” said Governor Bob McDonnell.  “Northern Virginia has the most congested roads in the nation and too many hours and dollars are wasted sitting in traffic. Thankfully, together with the General Assembly we have taken historic action this year to produce a long-term, sustainable transportation funding solution.  We must continue to encourage innovative solutions, like this, in order to build the world class, 21st century transportation network Virginians deserve."
Urban Traffic Control

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Professional training key to the future of ITS
    May 21, 2012
    A substantial portfolio of resources is available and expanding, to help employers and professionals build essential skills for current and future needs – the ITS Professional Capacity Building Program. Pete Goldin reports. The US Department of Transportation (USDOT) views ITS as key to the future of transportation, as is evident from the department’s ITS Professional Capacity Building (PCB) program. This is a further manifestation of USDOT’s commitment to ITS. The PCB program provides anyone in the transpo
    Read More
  • Substantial savings from smarter street lighting
    February 25, 2015
    As authorities strive to reduce expenditure and carbon emissions, Colin Sowman looks at some of the smart ways of managing street lighting while containing costs and maintaining safety. Street lighting can account for 40% of an authority’s energy consumption. So, faced with the need to reduce outgoings, some authorities are looking for smart ways of managing street lighting or even turning off swathes of street lights in the small hours. Back in 2008 the E-street Initiative report concluded that authorities
    Read More
  • FTA seeks to increase oversight of transit systems
    August 17, 2015
    The US Department of Transportation (USDOT) is seeking to increase oversight of the nation's public transportation systems after a spate of issues on the Washington, DC, Metrorail system and other subways have raised questions about US transit safety. The USDOT’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has proposed a rule to establish a Public Transportation Safety Program under its new safety oversight authority established by the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act. The proposed rule would
    Read More
  • Road signs removed to reduce ‘clutter’
    January 4, 2013
    In a response to a move to remove unnecessary clutter in cities and rural areas, more than 9,000 road traffic signs have been taken down in England, where local councils have been urged to think more creatively about the number and location of their location. Ministers have warned that excessive signs can be a distraction to motorists and make roads appear unattractive. In October 2011, the requirement for certain road signs was lifted; the government plans to give councils more discretion over where they p
    Read More

Highlighted Content