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'In this room they operate 24/7' a look inside TDOT's Traffic Management Center

'In this room they operate 24/7' a look inside TDOT's Traffic Management Center
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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — You have either seen them in person or maybe saw a viral picture of the funny messages lining interstates across the country, but now the Federal Highway Administration is recommending not to go that route anymore.

This step away is nothing new to TDOT, they have not been doing those kinds of messages for years. Their message boards you see on the interstate are used to warn for essentially for three things: incidents that have happened, pre-construction warnings and any major events.

"We're posting those messages to give the best possible information to keep everyone safe so that everyone can go home at night," TMC Tech Senior Chance Warren said.

Getting the information onto the signs is pretty quick, it takes less than a minute.

It is a streamlined process where they basically get prompts after putting in the details. The information is verified and changed if necessary. The details provided are just enough so the driver knows what is going on.

"Having a standardized message allows for there not to be any confusion for the public and for operators in here," Warren said.

For a look behind the curtain of how it all works watch the video above.

Carrie: https://ewscripps.brightspotcdn.com/2e/72/be0f23854c54a228c9d6138c9847/carrie-recommends-header.png

Rhori: https://ewscripps.brightspotcdn.com/5b/25/a224d13d47739165c92b94e643db/rhori-recommends-header.png

Eugene: https://ewscripps.brightspotcdn.com/7b/09/9eaf788d46f580c4234978610d60/screenshot-2026-04-29-at-12-11-52-pm.png

Lelan: https://ewscripps.brightspotcdn.com/af/54/833bf879454097a398bd44f723de/lelan-recommends.png

Nikki-Dee: https://ewscripps.brightspotcdn.com/e1/b4/685a931d4182b82d9322d496fa15/screenshot-2026-04-15-at-12-01-18-pm.png

Henry: https://ewscripps.brightspotcdn.com/f7/31/2e3894bf45d9a1668f1ccc56b9f6/screenshot-2026-04-15-at-12-01-00-pm.png

Katie: https://ewscripps.brightspotcdn.com/77/55/afe9375249a4b9e058e4b2c3d2ea/screenshot-2026-04-15-at-12-00-46-pm.png

Brittany: https://ewscripps.brightspotcdn.com/67/90/788e5c364f00baabf9c5edae87e2/screenshot-2026-04-15-at-12-00-06-pm.png

Jennifer: https://ewscripps.brightspotcdn.com/e4/1e/9771c0824888a0fd87b2a1030979/screenshot-2026-04-15-at-12-02-19-pm.png

20-year-old seriously injured after stopping to help driver on I-24

Our viewers are the best! When Hannah McDonald highlighted the plight of Serenity Sumler, so many of you immediately stepped up. Serenity stopped to help a driver after spotting a wreck and was hit by another car, resulting in terrible injuries. Without the funds to pay for physical therapy, she was at a loss. Because of the kindness of others - she now can rehab and get back to school. Best of luck to her as she trains to become a chef!

- Carrie Sharp