The VDOT emergency information system was ineffective and inoperable in Hampton Roads during a torrential downpour yesterday. The Highway Advisory Radio transmissions were overpowered by the storm’s electrical discharges and the electronic variable message signs displayed random lights. Note to Republican gubernatorial pretenders: those signs are a constant McAuliffe reminder.
This should concern Hampton Roads evacuation planners: the chaos of a more chronic weather event such as a hurricane will not be mediated by the VDOT system. A two hour storm rendered it ineffective. The low power transmitters used by VDOT are simply insufficient (actually, even during “good” weather). Yesterday, the transmissions were completely overwhelmed by the atmospheric conditions. And the signs…well you can see how helpful. This one is near Williamsburg at the end of the storm, but was typical of the entire system before, during and after. The only thing missing were HOV reversible control and exit ramp gates raising and lowering on their own.
But I understand. We probably need to sell off the ABC Stores before we can fix this.
