Research Library

CONNECTIONS: The VDOT Library E-Newsletter

VDOT Library Website Gets a New Look!

08/06/2025

VDOT Library, Information Technology

New Library Homepage

VDOT Library Unveils Website Refresh

We’re thrilled to announce a new VDOT Research Library website—an updated, modern, more user-friendly platform to better suit VDOT’s evolving information needs.

What’s New?

Not to worry – this new look is more of a facelift than a paradigm shift - so all the same resources you know and love are still here and easy to access.

Here’s what you can expect:

Simplified Homepage: find what you need faster with familiar dropdown menus and streamlined design.
Mobile-friendly Design: access the library from any device, whether you’re in the office or in the field.
Research Support: quickly connect with library staff, request materials, sign up for a library orientation, and get expert help on transportation topics
Exam Materials: Quickly access the list of available exam study materials right from the home page

Why It Matters:

The VDOT Research Library plays an important role in supporting research innovation and best practices across Virginia’s transportation systems. By making resources more accessible and services more visible, the new website empowers users to:

Conduct important independent research and planning
Take the next step in their careers at VDOT with vital exam prep materials, standards and manuals.
Explore historical insights to inform the future of transportation decisions
Collaborate with VDOT staff, external researchers and contractors

This website refresh marks a significant step in the library’s commitment to provide tools and services that make your job easier.

Ready to explore? Visit https://library.vdot.virginia.gov/home We’d love to hear your thoughts! If you have feedback or suggestions, don’t hesitate to reach out. The VDOT library team is here to help you navigate the road to knowledge so you can Keep Virginia Moving.

The library will be providing resources and orientation sessions to users interested in these services. Keep your eyes peeled for more information in the coming weeks.

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VDOT Library Website Gets a New Look!

VDOT Library Unveils Website RefreshWe’re thrilled to announce a new VDOT Research Library website—an updated, modern, more user-friendly platform to better suit VDOT’s evolving information needs.What’s New?Not to worry – this new look is more of a facelift than a paradigm shift - so all the same resources you know and love are still here and easy to access. Here’s what you can expect:Simplified Homepage: find what you need faster with familiar dropdown menus and streamlined design.Mobile-friendly Design: access the library from any device, whether you’re in the office or in the field.Research Support: quickly connect with library staff, request materials, sign up for a library orientation, and get expert help on transportation topicsExam Materials: Quickly access the list of available exam study materials right from the home pageWhy It Matters:The VDOT Research Library plays an important role in supporting research innovation and best practices across Virginia’s transportation systems. By making resources more accessible and services more visible, the new website empowers users to:Conduct important independent research and planningTake the next step in their careers at VDOT with vital exam prep materials, standards and manuals.Explore historical insights to inform the future of transportation decisionsCollaborate with VDOT staff, external researchers and contractorsThis website refresh marks a significant step in the library’s commitment to provide tools and services that make your job easier. Ready to explore? Visit https://library.vdot.virginia.gov/home We’d love to hear your thoughts! If you have feedback or suggestions, don’t hesitate to reach out. The VDOT library team is here to help you navigate the road to knowledge so you can Keep Virginia Moving.The library will be providing resources and orientation sessions to users interested in these services. Keep your eyes peeled for more information in the coming weeks....

Engineering Workbench Now Provides Access to TIA Standards

If you use TIA standards, check out this new quick-start guide to VDOT's Accuris Engineering Workbench subscription. Great news if you work for VDOT and you use standards from the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) and/or the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). You now have access to a new batch of full-text online standards through the Engineering Workbench Web site. Specifically, we're talking about the 272 standards included in the TR42 Committee Collection from TIA, and 3 standards issued by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), which focus on fiber optic telecommunications systems, as referenced in these important VDOT publications: 2020 Road and Bridge Specifications Virginia Department of Transportation Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Fiber Optic Cable and Interconnect Test Plan, August 15, 2016 So, what exactly is Engineering Workbench? Engineering Workbench is a subscription interface available through vendor Accuris. The name and appearance of this database may be new (vendor IHS Markit merged with S&P Global in 2022, which was renamed "Accuris" in 2023), but the content in this database may be familiar to VDOT employees who have used some version of it in the past to access standards from the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). Our new Quick-Start Guide shows VDOT employees how to create an account, access TIA and IEC standards in VDOT's subscription, and discusses limitations on the use of those standards. Here's what's included: Right now, VDOT's subscription to Engineering Workbench is pretty specific. The interface WILL ONLY PROVIDE ACCESS TO A "CUSTOM COLLECTION" OF STANDARDS FROM TIA AND IEC, specifically the 272 standards included in the TR42 Committee Collection from TIA, and 3 standards issued by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), which focus on fiber optic telecommunications systems, as referenced (once again) in: 2020 Road and Bridge Specifications Virginia Department of Transportation Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Fiber Optic Cable and Interconnect Test Plan, August 15, 2016 Who has access to these standards? Any VDOT employee who wants to create an account may access and use these standards within the limits of VDOT's licensing agreement. What If I Need a Standard NOT in Engineering Workbench? VDOT employees routinely need access to standards from groups like AASHTO, ACI, ASCE, ASTM, NACE, NEMA, NFPA, AWWA, and many other publishers. Here are a few guidelines we'd like you to keep in mind: 1. If you need a standard from an organization other than TIA or IEC, please do not try to find it in Engineering Workbench. 2. Do not use Engineering Workbench to "recommend" that we add other standards to VDOT's subscription. Instead, please use this ONLINE REQUEST FORM and library staff will assist you in getting the standard you need. After all, we may already license it for you through another Web site. To recommend a VDOT subscription to standards from an SDO not in Engineering Workbench, use this ONLINE RECCOMENDATION FORM. Questions? Let us know, we're here to help. Ken Winter (434) 962-8979 VDOT Research Library ...

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Have You Seen the VDOT Library's Hot Topics Pages?

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