Blue Line Solutions

Contributor

Proven Work Zone Safety in Virginia

How Vehicle-Based Enforcement Is Reducing Dangerous Speeding on I-64 and I-81

Work zones remain some of the most dangerous environments on our roadways. Narrow lanes, shifting traffic patterns, and the presence of workers only feet from moving vehicles create conditions where excessive speed can quickly become deadly. In Virginia, two sheriff’s offices took a proactive, data-driven approach to this challenge and the results speak clearly.

Blue Line Solutions partnered with the New Kent County Sheriff’s Office and the Wythe County Sheriff’s Office to deploy Vehicle-Based Enforcement (VBE) in active interstate construction zones. The outcome was a measurable, sustained reduction in dangerous speeding behavior that directly improves safety for workers, motorists, and first responders.

The Safety Challenge: Speeding in Active Work Zones

Before enforcement began, speed studies in both counties revealed a consistent pattern: a significant percentage of vehicles were traveling 10+ MPH over the posted work zone speed limit. This level of speeding dramatically increases the risk of serious injury or fatal crashes in construction areas.

Traditional enforcement options often struggle to keep pace with long, mobile work zones or projects that shift location over time. Vehicle Based Enforcement (VBE) was designed specifically to solve that problem.

New Kent County, VA: I-64 Work Zone Results

Using VBE in an active I-64 construction zone, New Kent County measured speeding behavior across three phases: pre-program, active enforcement, and post-enforcement.

Eastbound I-64

Pre-program: 15.8% of vehicles speeding
Enforcement: 9.0%
Post-enforcement: 3.9%
Total reduction: 75% from Pre-Program to Post-Enforcement

Westbound I-64

Pre-program: 10.2%
Enforcement: 2.6%
Total reduction: 74% from Pre-Program to Post-Enforcement

Across both directions, New Kent County achieved an average 74.5% reduction in dangerous speeding, reinforcing the effectiveness of VBE in high-volume, high-speed work zones.

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These results demonstrate not only immediate compliance during enforcement, but a lasting behavior change even after enforcement activity concludes.

Wythe County, VA: I-81 Work Zone Results

Wythe County deployed VBE in a high-speed interstate corridor on I-81, an environment where traditional enforcement is often limited by safety concerns and resource availability.

Northbound I-81

Pre-program: 6.1%
Enforcement: 1.3%
Post-enforcement: 2.1%
Total reduction: 66% from Pre-Program to Post-Enforcement

Southbound I-81

Pre-program: 18.6%
Enforcement: 5.2%
Post-enforcement: 3.1%
Total reduction: 84% from Pre-Program to Post-Enforcement

Across both directions, Wythe County achieved an average 75.0% reduction in dangerous speeding, reinforcing the effectiveness of VBE in high-volume, high-speed work zones.

Why Vehicle Based Enforcement Works for Work Zones

For sheriffs and chiefs responsible for protecting both roadway workers and the traveling public, VBE offers several operational advantages:

Mobility: Enforcement moves with the construction project as lanes shift or work progresses
Officer safety: Reduces the need for roadside traffic stops in hazardous environments
Precision: Lane-specific LiDAR technology targets only the most dangerous speeders
Sustained impact: Data shows lasting reductions beyond active enforcement periods
Efficient deployment: Ideal for temporary, long-term, or rotating work zones

Most importantly, every violation is reviewed and approved by law enforcement, ensuring accountability, transparency, and local control.

A Proven Model for Work Zone Safety

The results in New Kent County and Wythe County show what is possible when enforcement is paired with accurate data and purpose-built technology. VBE does not replace officers; it extends their reach in places where safety risks are highest and resources are stretched thin.

For agencies overseeing construction corridors, interstate projects, or long-duration work zones, Vehicle Based Enforcement provides a practical, proven way to reduce speeding and protect lives.

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