A $25 million federal
grant to address critical truck parking issues in the Midwest has been awarded
to a consortium of Kansas and seven other states.
The Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery grant was awarded to the Mid America
Association of State Transportation Officials (MAASTO) to develop the
multi-state Truck Parking Information and Management System (TPIMS). Other
MAASTO states that will receive funding include Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky,
Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin.
The grant was announced today in Wichita by Federal Highway Administrator
Gregory Nadeau. Kansas was the lead applicant among the states.
Safety issues arise when trucks parked along key freight corridors overflow
onto the shoulders of rest area ramps, freeway ramps and adjacent roads. Often
there may be adequate parking elsewhere along the route, but no real-time
information is available to let truckers know where that might be.
“I’m excited and grateful to accept this grant on behalf of Kansas and the
other seven states whose goals are to improve the efficiency, economic
competitiveness and safety of the national freight network,” said Kansas
Transportation Secretary and former MAASTO president Mike King. “By working
together, we can provide our freight customers the reliability of a seamless,
regional system."
The TPIMS will disseminate
parking information on electronic message signs, traveler information websites
and smart phone applications. In Kansas, the system will include information
about parking along I-70 and I-135.
The Kansas Department of Transportation expects to receive about $3.3 million
in federal funds and will contribute approximately$486,000 in state funds for
the work in Kansas.
No comments:
Post a Comment