The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) recently expanded the Richmond Traffic Operations Center (TOC) in Chester. The size of the center’s video wall was doubled, allowing staff to better monitor traffic in VDOT’s Fredericksburg District, a portion of I-95 in the Hampton Roads District and all 14 counties and 4 cities in the Richmond District, including Henrico.

The changes also improved the center’s backup generator capability and lighting to increase reliability during inclement weather and other emergencies; and reconfigured the work area to accommodate staff needed to dispatch units of the Safety Service Patrols.

The TOC operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week dispatching and coordinating functions for transportation emergencies within the 26 counties in central Virginia. Another significant responsibility is updating of accident, work zone, and road weather information, which flows to the public through VDOT’s 511 system. Staff at the Richmond TOC operate and maintain 54 traffic cameras, 15 permanent overhead variable message signs, 13 trailer-mounted variable message signs, six highway advisory radio sites and 10 pavement sensors.

For more information, visit http://www.virginiadot.org/travel/smart-traffic-center-richmond.asp.