[Scan-DC] VDOT snow plows in Northern Virginia

[Richard Rowland]

Not scanning but interesting for Northern Virginia

Commonwealth of Virginia

Office of Governor Bob McDonnell


 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 25, 2012




Governor McDonnell Announces New Online Web Tool that Tracks Snowplow Progress in Neighborhoods

Web tool is being tested in Northern Virginia

 RICHMOND - Governor McDonnell announced today that the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is testing a new web tool that shows the status of plowing in Northern Virginia neighborhoods.  Just click of a link, residents can navigate a map, similar to using a Google map, to find out if snowplows have started working in their neighborhood once it snows two inches or more.  

 "When it snows, this new web tool will show residents where the plowing is taking place by neighborhood and eventually this will go statewide once it is tested in Northern Virginia," said Governor McDonnell.  "The online snowplow tool is an excellent example of how Virginia is improving citizen services by leveraging technology so everyone can benefit from the information." 

 Once it snows at least two inches, residents can find out the status of plowing in Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William county neighborhoods at http://novasnowplowing.virginia.gov.  The webpage shows plowing status during storms when two or more inches have accumulated.  

 VDOT has organized northern Virginia streets into 600 "snow maps" which are assigned to plow drivers. These are the maps users will view and be able to find out whether crews are plowing, have plowed or have not started a particular snow map.  Street-by-street progress is not shown. 

 Users can enter an address in northern Virginia to see a color-coded snow map that indicates the plowing status in that area:   

 

·         Green indicates a neighborhood has been plowed,

·         Yellow means plows are in progress in the neighborhood, 

·         Blue indicates plows have not yet started the neighborhood; and,

·         Gray means the area is not maintained by VDOT.  Cities, towns and some developments maintain their own roads.

 "Residents will be able to see what VDOT sees," said VDOT Commissioner Greg Whirley.  

 "It's important to keep in mind that VDOT is testing the new web tool and will make adjustments along the way.  Our goal is to make the neighborhood maps user friendly and helpful as possible, so we welcome feedback from the public."

 Quick Tips for Users

 

·         Be sure to enter your complete address (100 Maple Street, Anytown, Virginia).

·         The website tracks VDOT-maintained neighborhoods only. 

·         The website is active only when two or more inches of snow have fallen.

 View the video on how to use the new site at http://youtu.be/HMRaItZLgyo.