On July 20, 2026, the DEP API included support for the new VDOT event subtypes introduced in the latest release of VDOT ATMS. This VDOT ATMS release allows operators to specify additional event subtypes including debris, emergency roadwork, signal malfunction, gate strike, traffic control, structural fire, medical emergency, washout, tree down, and power lines down. In addition, several existing event types were changed as follows:

• “vehicle accident” is now “crash”
• “multi-vehicle accident” is now “multi-vehicle crash”
• “tractor trailed accident” is now “tractor trailer crash”
• “numerous accidents” is now “numerous crashes”

The DEP API now includes these new event subtypes and event type changes.

On July 7, 2026, the DEP API introduced a new real-time quality assessment capability for VDOT RWIS data. This deployment introduced a quality metric field that gets set for certain data elements based on their values and agreed upon thresholds and special codes. This means that when VDOT RWIS data record comes into the DEP, it is compared to set thresholds and special codes and if the value falls outside of expected range or is set to a special code, the quality field is populated with relevant information. The new <dep-quality> field value is set to “valid” if the field is assessed and its value is determined to be within preset thresholds. If the value is a special code, the <dep-quality> value is set to “INFO:” followed by a brief explanation of the special code. If the value falls outside of the preset range or is an error value, the <dep-quality> field is set to “WARNING:” or “ERROR:” respectively followed by appropriate explanations.

On June 24, 2026, a new data set from the RM3P Dynamic Incentivization program was added to the DEP API. This new data set includes events and time periods for which incentives have been activated. The DEP API provides real-time data, but also maintains a queryable 24-hour history of incentive intervals for each currently active event.

Starting April 27, the DEP provides expanded WMATA alert information in the /transit API endpoint.  This additional data is made possible by WMATA expanding their feeds. The DEP now provides Priority, Cause, and Effect fields for Metrorail and Metrobus alerts.

We have posted a brief video tutorial to the DEP Resources Page to assist DEP API users with finding data dictionaries and other supplemental documentation. Even though this documentation has always been available to our API users, we’re responding to feedback that the documentation can be difficult to find. In response, we have upgraded the API documentation, data dictionaries, and supplemental information to make them easier to find and use. Our video tutorial describes how to access each API data dictionary.

Note: for security reasons, we don’t grant open access to data dictionaries to the general public. API documentation is ONLY available for users who already have a RITIS login account and approval for accessing DEP data. Users only have access to the dictionaries and supplemental documents associated with data they have permission to request. Please contact dep-support@ritis.org if you have questions or need further assistance.

On March 9, 2026, the VDOT RWIS data set was expanded to provide many additional fields.  Special thanks go out to the VDOT and Vaisala teams for their assistance in making this possible. Updated information on RWIS output fields is available in the /rm3p/weather endpoint section of the API Documentation page. Additional guidance on how to access API documentation and data dictionaries will be provided in an upcoming announcement.