Traffic Operations Responses to the COVID-19 Pandemic

At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, many state department of transportation (DOT) employees with jobs that could be done remotely were ordered to work from home. This occurred very quickly and DOTs had to make a variety of adjustments, such as decentralizing work activities, transitioning information technology support actions to accommodate the new work environments, and, in some states, relocating transportation operations center staff members to their homes. The purpose of this research was to document and share ENTERPRISE Pooled Fund Study members’ initial operational responses to COVID-19 – gathered through phone interviews and a virtual peer exchange – for application to future events or as part of daily operations during the pandemic. It is important to note that the information gathered for this project focuses on ENTERPRISE member agencies’ experiences at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, from March 2020 through April 2021. At the time of this publication, ENTERPRISE members continue to plan and adjust to the prolonged pandemic.