Plan for large-scale closures and not just smaller incidents that happen during severe winter events.Traffic patterns should be better analyzed and agencies should respond accordingly with increased staffing and mobilization plans. For instance, there was an increase in tractor-trailer traffic on I-95. Officials need to better understand the challenges ahead of a major weather incident.The emotional impact of the standstill traffic on drivers was not considered, since many people told the media they felt "abandoned." This message shows its important to consider the messaging sent during crisis communications, such as weather emergencies.3, VDOT and Transurban closed all express lanes. VSP and VDOT determined that there were limited options for emergency travel and believed allowing the public to use express lanes "risked blocking them as well." So, late in the afternoon on Jan.VDOT was experiencing COVID-related staffing shortages in some districts, which affected safety services patrols and traffic monitors.VDOT in Fredericksburg's communication was complicated because of "inoperable cell towers and widespread power outages that affected district facilities and staff working remotely.".There were communication issues from the storm - a VSP communications center lost power which limited staff from passing on the information because dispatch capabilities were out for 30 minutes situational awareness was lost by state agencies and so the locations of blockages on I-95 could not be verified.3 would have been helpful, but this was not considered a viable solution prior to or during the day by VDOT and VSP. Closing I-95 to pretreat roads earlier on Jan.3 that VDOT, especially in Fredericksburg, fell behind plowing and treating areas. 2 after the New Year's holiday and into the early day of Jan. Traffic was 65% heavier - compared to the same days in 2019 - on I-95 on Jan. Flights were canceled around this time due to staffing shortages from the Omicron variant of COVID-19.Weather was warm ahead of the storm, which may have "lessened public attention to the numerous VDOT, VSP, and VDEM messages and travel warnings.".
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