Overview: VDOT’s primary Function
The Virginia Department of Transportation is responsible for
building,
maintaining
operating the state’s roads, bridges and tunnels.
Through CTB, VDOT provides funding for airports, seaports,
rail and public transportation.
Virginia has the third-largest state-maintained highway
system in the country, behind Texas and North Carolina.
VDOT is responsible for managing more than 57,000
centerline miles.
Most other states have limited or no involvement in “local”
roads.
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Overview: VDOT’s Road Network
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Overview: Organization of VDOT
Central Office
• provides Policy and Oversight for State-wide programs
9 District Offices
• provides coordination for project development,
construction, and coordination of land development activities
29 Residency Offices
• responsible for 1 to 5 counties
• Serve as primary contact for BOS
• oversee AHQ
183 Area headquarters
• at least one per County
NOVA District
• Fairfax, Arlington, Loudoun, & Prince William Counties
• Urban district, Residency functions are combined within the District Office
• Transportation and Land Use directors and Assistants serve as Liaison to
Localities and elected officials.
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Project Development: County and VDOT
Partnership
County BOS:
• Identifies new projects
• Establishes project priorities
• Help determines funding options to pursue
VDOT:
• Facilitates project delivery for VDOT or coordinates locally
administered projects
• Ensures adequate funding is available and estimates are
updated prior to work beginning
• Future Maintenance activities
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Project Development: Six-Year Improvement
Program (SYIP)
The Six-Year Improvement Program outlines planned
funding for transportation projects proposed for construction
development for the next six years.
The SYIP is updated annually and approved by the CTB
typically in June.
Projects are selected based on a prioritization process based
on HB-2.
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Life Cycle of a Candidate Project
How it’s planned.
How it’s scored.
How it’s funded.
How it’s planned.
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VTRANS 2040 serves two functions, and produces two independent,
but connected documents.
The VTRANS 2040 Vision Document.
The VTRANS 2040 Multimodal Transportation Plan (VMTP)
The policy and recommendations of the plan will focus on:
corridors of statewide significance,
identified regional networks,
local designated growth areas and safety.
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Corridors of Statewide Significance
• Approved by the CTB
• Demonstrate the following characteristics:
• Multiple modes and/or an extended freight corridor
• Connection among regions, states and/or major activity centers
• High volume of travel
• Unique statewide function and/or fulfillment of statewide goal
• Includes parallel/connecting facilities, rail lines, ports, airports, etc (not just
the Interstates)
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Virginia CoSSs
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Regional Networks
Defined as:
• Jurisdictions that are included either in whole or in part within MPO Planning
Area Boundaries
• Any additional element of the transportation system that is connected to the
MPO area and deemed critical to the MPO
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Urban Development Areas
• Areas voluntarily designated by local governments as prime areas for future
economic growth
• Must reflect transportation-
efficient land use principles
including:
• Mixed-use land use
• Interconnected streets
• Moderately compact growth
Project Development: HB 2
• House Bill 2 (HB 2) is a new state law that requires the CTB to develop
and implement a process for prioritizing projects
• Some types of projects and funding are exempt from HB 2
• Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality
• Highway Safety Improvement Program
• Transportation Alternatives
• Revenue Sharing
• Secondary/Urban Formula Funds
• Regional funds for NOVA, Hampton Roads
• Projects not exempt will follow prescribed process to determine
eligibility for funding and ultimate rating as compared to other projects
submitted.
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HB 2
Anticipated Cycle
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Project Development: Project Milestones
Planning Phase – typically at request from locality
Scoping Phase – project team established, survey, initiates environmental review
process
Preliminary Design Phase – design of road, bridge, traffic controls, NEPA, public
involvement, etc.
Detailed Design Phase – design of road, bridge, traffic controls, landscaping, right of
way and utility needs, E&S control and hydraulic plans, utility design, UFI,
constructability review, work zone review, authorizing R/W total takes, FI
Final Design and Right of Way Acquisition Phase – finalizing all design features,
obtaining environmental permits, UFI, authorizing right of way and utilities (partial
takes)
Advertisement Phase – finalizing plans, specifications,
estimates, bidability review, securing environmental
and R/W certifications, verifying funding, getting
environmental permits
Construction Phase – contactor bid, VDOT selects the
lowest qualified bidder; VDOT provides oversight,
inspections before accepting completed project.
Inclement weather, late delivery of materials,
unforeseen conditions may impact
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Programs: Funding programs
Airport Access Program – for licensed public use airports; max $500K
Economic Development Access Program - initiated by locality; must meet set of
requirements;
Federal Lands Access Program – administered by Eastern Federal Lands;
focused on improving roads that access to, are adjacent to or are located within
federal lands;
Highway Safety Improvements Program (HSIP) – is focused on reduction of
fatalities and severe crashes. VDOT developed highway Safety Program;
Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety program and Highway-Rail Grade crossing
program;
Recreational Access Program – funding limits per road or bike access apply
Revenue Sharing Program – initiated by locality by resolution; focus to provide
additional funding to locality for construction /reconstruction or maintenance of
roads within the locality. Local funds are matched with state funds; statutory
limits apply on the state amounts authorized per locality.
Transportation Alternatives Program – now includes Safe Routes to School
Program and Recreational Trails Program – focus on pedestrians and bicyclists
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Programs: Access Programs
Program Facts:
Provides funding to upgrade existing roads or construct new roads
serving new or expanding economic development sites
Locality applies for funds and CTB approves project specific allocations;
Application based
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Programs: Revenue Sharing Program
Program Facts:
50/50 matching program
Open to Counties, Cities and Towns in Urban System
Program allocation up to $200 million
Maximum allocation of $10 million per locality
Application based
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Programs: Transportation Alternatives
Program
Program Facts:
Intended to improve non-motorized transportation, enhance the
public’s travel experience, revitalize communities and improve
the quality of life.
Application based
Scored based on varying parameters.
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Project Development: Locally Administered
Projects (LAP)
Locally administered projects account for approx. 20% of total
SYP construction dollars and approx. 36% of total construction
projects
VDOT supports localities by:
• Project Coordination
• Local Program Workshops
• Compliance Assessment
• Focus on timely use of funds
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Project Development: Unpaved Road Program
When the secondary system of highways was established in 1932,
VDOT accepted nearly 34,000 miles of unpaved roads.
Today, our unpaved road inventory is about 7,700 miles thanks to the
efforts to pave these roads.
CTB formula provides funds for unpaved roads
Distribution is based on ratio of miles of eligible unpaved roads with
traffic count over 50 vpd.
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Paving a Gravel Road
Rural Rustic Road Program
Pave in Place Program
Suitable for roads with traffic below 750 vpd;
Minor improvements needed within existing right of way
Result is 18’ pavement width with 2’wide shoulders
Traditional Reconstruction
Suitable where right of way and improvements to road geometrics are
needed
Minimum 40’ right of way plus easements as needed;
Donated right of way frees funds for construct
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Programs: Rural Rustic Road Program
Is initiated by County by resolution to declare the candidate
road a Rural Rustic Road;
Program goals are to leave trees, vegetation, side slopes
and drainage undisturbed as much as possible without
compromising public safety.
941 projects (856 miles) were completed since program
began in 2003
Candidate road have meet criteria such as:
• Located in low density development areas
• Carries traffic volume less than 1500 vpd
• Existing road has minimal safety issues
http://www.virginiadot.org/business/local-assistance-
programs.asp
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High Volume Unpaved Road Program
Set aside from CTB formula unpaved road funds to provide
supplemental funding for providing a hard surface on high volume
unpaved roads
Application based for funding on annual basis for roads carrying over
500 vpd, with max request of $300K per locality per year
Applications are prioritized based on criteria:
• Higher volume roads
• Engineering completed and R/W need was secured
• Construction will begin within 6 months
• Additional local funds allocated
• Project addresses identified safety issues
• Direct access to schools/community/public service facilities
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Land Development: Access Management
Roads are a critical public resource and a major investment of the
public’s money.
Land development is regulated by legislation, regulations and standards
in an effort to balance the right of property owners to reasonable access
to the highway with the right of users of the highway to mobility, safety
and efficient expenditure of public funds.
Land development proposals are subject to Access Management that
focuses on location, spacing and operation of entrances, street
intersections, median openings and traffic signals.
Additions of new entrances, intersections and traffic signals to the road
create new conflict points where vehicles slow down increasing
congestion and potential concerns.
More info on Access Management is located at:
www.virginiadot.org/projects/accessmgt
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Land Development: Plans, TIA’s
VDOT works with local jurisdictions to review rezoning applications,
subdivision plans, construction plans and site plans to evaluate traffic
impacts and to identify and recommend needed roadway improvements.
Existing transportation needs exceed available funding, and VDOT’s
limited resources cannot be relied upon to correct/improve transportation
issues created by new developments.
Chapter 527 of the 2006 Acts of General Assembly resulted in a
requirement for Traffic Impact Analysis (TIA) to be submitted for VDOT
review as well as submissions from localities of Comprehensive Plan
Amendments and Rezoning's.
VDOT’s review of development applications/plans and TIA’s focus on
determination if the proposed designs are adequate to accommodate the
traffic generated by the proposed site. The TIA’s must analyze a forecast
of traffic impacts into future years and describe how the site will be served
by the existing and future roadway network.
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Land Development: Land Use Permits
VDOT is responsible for regulating the location, design, construction
and maintenance of street and driveway connections to the State
Highway System.
VDOT’s obligation is to protect of the transportation infrastructure,
economy of maintenance, preservation of proper drainage, safe and
efficient movement of vehicles and pedestrians thereon.
Anyone planning any activity or work within the right of way under
VDOT’s jurisdiction must first obtain a land use permit.
Land use permit is also required for an existing entrance to a site that
is being modified due to change in land use, traffic type and volume.
Permits and subsequent inspection ensures the work done in the right
of way meets VDOT standards and policies, complies with highway
regulations, preserves the integrity and functionality of the highway,
and provides for the safety of the traveling public.
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Maintenance
Based on needs, budgets are developed and distributed based on
the quantity and cost of work needed to preserve, maintain and
operate at a target condition for roadway assets.
Allocations distributed to Districts, Residencies, & AHQ
Roadway – pavement, shoulders, bridges, tunnels, drainage
Roadside – vegetation, drainage, barriers
Traffic and Safety – guardrail, signs, markings, signals, lighting
Emergency Response – snow and ice removal, incident response
Facilities, Equipment, other services – Rest Areas, ferries,
equipment, administration
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Maintenance: Activities
Ordinary Maintenance - work that preserves the roadway assets,
corrects minor defects and extends the life of the asset;
Planned Preventive Maintenance – planned activity done prior to need
of repair; not based on the condition of asset, cyclical, does not add to the
capacity of the asset;
Repair/Corrective Maintenance – work required to return damaged
asset to its designed capability;
Restore/Replace Activity – replacement or complete restoration of
assets that cannot be repaired;
Major Rehabilitation – applies to bridges and pavement only; work
includes complete, full depth reconstruction (i.e. removal and replacement
of pavement or bridge)
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Includes pavement, shoulders, bridges, tunnels
Road Re-paving Program
Prepared annually, scope dependent on the funding level
Street selection - based on pavement rating conducted by
VDOT on a rotational basis
Major roads are priority, subdivision streets selected in
clusters, funding dependent
Currently 33% of local roads in NOVA District are in state of
good repair
Last year $110 Million contract for repaving of NOVA District
roads;
Maintenance: Roadway & Roadside
Maintenance: Traffic and Safety
Includes evaluation of requests which could include traffic signals,
signs, pavement marking, guardrail, etc.
Please use Customer Service Center at 1-800-ROR-ROAD (800-367-
7623) or request on line at https://my.vdot.virginia.gov/ :
VDOT conducts evaluation of each request using MUTCD as a primary
guideline
Speed Limits – requests initiated by locality; require engineering study by
VDOT and approval by the Commissioner.
Traffic Counts – are used by VDOT as basis for safety, economic and
engineering considerations in the development, operations and
management of our road system.
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Snow Removal: Operations are prioritized matching the functional
classifications of roadways;
Priority includes all interstates, most primary routes, few very high service
secondary routes;
Goals: For a typical 2-4 inch snow fall, goal is to make a pass in all
subdivisions within 24 hours after the storm has ended.
For a typical 6-inch snow
fall, goal is to make a
pass in all subdivisions
within 48 hours.
All routes receive progressive and
continuous effort to meet snow
removal goals.
Maintenance: Emergency Response
NOVA Snow: 2014-2015
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Total Snow in Inches
18.3
Total
Number of Events
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Snow Budget
$50.5
Snow
ACTUAL
$128.5M
6 Days Yielded 91% of Snow
1/6; 2/16;
2/17;2/21;2/2;3/5
State
Equipment
126
Equipment
4,000+
NOVA Snow: 2015-2016
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• Road Miles
17,000
• Snow Budget
$70.7M
• State Equipment
126
• Contractor Equipment
3,600+
• Salt
140,000 tons
• Sand
25,000 tons
•
Liquid
186,000 gals
NOVA Snow: BEFORE AN EVENT
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• National Weather Service
• Iteris Weather Service
• Road Weather Info. System (RWIS)
• Mobilization Plan
• Incident Command
• Pre-Treatment/Anti-Icing
• Pre-Staging of Equipment
NOVA Snow: SNOW MAP
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NOVA Snow: Automatic Vehicle Locator
(AVL)
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NOVA Snow: Interstate Cameras
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HOW CAN YOU HELP?
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• Do not pass snow plow trucks when they are plowing
• Allow plow trucks back into the main line from turn lanes
• Stay at least 100 ft. behind a plow truck
• Do you have windshield washer fluid?
• Do you have ½ tank of gas?
• Are your tires suited for winter weather?
• Do you have medicine/food/water?
• When shoveling driveways, leave the last 5 feet of snow at the curb
until after the plow has passed.
• Shovel to the right facing the road
• Park on the odd numbered side of the street
• Park in driveways
• Allow room for the plow to come through
• PLEASE STAY OFF ROADS
Communication: A Layered Approach
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Public
• Call 511 for road conditions
• Visit www.511virginia.org for road conditions and traffic cams
• Follow @511northernva on Twitter for road conditions and
accidents
• Visit www.YouTube.com/VDOT web for snow removal tips
• Visit www.VirginiaDOT.org for news and road conditions
• E-mail novainfo@vdot.virginia.gov or call 1-800-FOR-ROAD to
report unplowed roads
Questions?
Thank You!
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