RICHMOND – Since 2001 through the end of fiscal year 2005, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has saved nearly $11.3 million in avoided travel and time costs for meetings by conducting them via videoconference instead of in person. Videoconferencing has become even more cost effective in recent months with escalating gasoline costs.

In the last four years, the agency has invested about $1 million in videoconferencing technology expansions and upgrades. VDOT has nine districts and 45 residency offices spread out across the Commonwealth. The agency is in the process of providing videoconference capabilities from every residency office.

For years, VDOT managers traveled to many corners of the state for various meetings, but the time and money demanded by this practice loomed larger every year. Travel from VDOT’s Central Office in Richmond to Bristol District in the southwestern part of the state requires almost six hours of travel each way and always an overnight stay.

Acting Commissioner Greg Whirley is a champion of videoconferencing especially in light of recent events. He wrote to employees, “In the wake of Hurricane Katrina and rising gas prices, it is important that VDOT conserve fuel where possible… I ask that you continue meeting via teleconference and videoconference when possible, carpool when using state vehicles and limit all but essential travel.”

In the past year, videoconferencing has eliminated much of the costs of driving, eating, lodging, and driving home again. In fiscal year 2005 alone, 798 videoconferences were held, encompassing 2,486 hours of meetings.

Unlike audio conferences that incur telephone charges and bridge support costs, video conferences result in no costs unless connections are made to persons not attached to the VDOT data network. Videoconferencing has also allowed VDOT to make public meetings more accessible for citizens throughout the Commonwealth.

Page last modified: Sept. 16, 2005