#IAMKDOT: Ron Edwards

Jetmore Equipment Operator Senior Ron Edwards has experienced a lot during his 47 years with KDOT. In fact, he’s probably forgotten more about KDOT than most people remember and plowed more snow than most people see in a lifetime. 

Always willing to help others, he has led the way through the snow to the hospital when the ambulance couldn’t get through, flagged traffic throughout the night because of the weather or a car crash and helped stranded motorists change flat tires and jump start batteries. 

Known as a jack of all trades and the original “Mr. Fix It,” Edwards can build or repair almost anything. This includes the gazebo at the Jetmore City Pool, which Edwards built and paid for himself in memory of his daughter, Heather, who passed away at 14.

Edwards enjoys spending time with his family including his wife, Rosanne, and daughters, Morgan and Madison. When not helping his daughters with do it yourself and home improvement projects, Edwards enjoys fishing and polka music. 

Do you know a KDOT worker that deserves recognition? Email Mallory.Goeke@KS.gov today to get started.

Halloween safety tips

Tomorrow, candy will flow and trick-or-treaters across the country will take to the streets to collect the sugary goodness. Here are some safety tips to ensure everyone has a frightfully good time.

Drivers:

• Turn on your headlights to improve visibility - Even in the day time.
• Watch for trick-or-treaters on curbs, streets and medians. They could be wearing darker costumes so keep your eyes peeled.
• Slow down in residential areas.  Give yourself extra time to react should a trick-or-treater dash into the road.
• Be sure to scan both sides of the street as you drive. Be prepared  to stop for trick-or-treaters.

Trick or Treaters:

 If you are young at heart and will be taking to the streets to collect some goodies, there are a few things you need to know:

• Let your parents or guardians know where you will be going. Create a route and stick to it. 
• Follow safety rules, and look both ways before crossing the streets. Don’t cross between vehicles.
• Trick or treat in a group. It can be more entertaining and safer. Younger children should be with a responsible adult or youth.
• Be bright at night - ensure that that your costume can be seen by drivers. Enhance your costumes with reflective tape or glow sticks.
• You should be able to see without difficulty. Don’t wear bulky masks or head gear. Consider using non-toxic face make up or paint.
• Carry a flashlight inside your Halloween bucket or bag so you can see where you are going. DON’T shine it into the eyes of drivers.
• Stay on sidewalks - if you must walk in the street, walk on the left side, facing traffic.

We hope you have a happy Halloween! 

Joint Legislative Transportation Vision Task Force – Hays meeting

Alternative Delivery and County Roads – During the Task Force meeting in Hays last Wednesday, the Task Force heard presentations on two separate topics.  

David Simmons, Design-Build Coordinator for the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT), provided an overview design-build delivery approaches MoDOT has used on select projects over the past several years. Norm Bowers, a Local Road Engineer at the Kansas Association of Counties, provided a perspective on the county road and bridge system, including the size of the system, the importance of county roads and bridges in connecting Kansans, and funding needs as the system ages. Presentations from the meeting can be found here.

Local Testimony Highlights Importance of Economic Development and Safety – During the public testimony, we heard from stakeholders on the importance of KDOT partnering with local communities to help drive local economic development. Some stakeholders encouraged the Task Force to restore and protect transportation funding as they look toward the next transportation program. Similar to other meetings, stakeholders also shared the importance of safety and modernization improvements on existing roadways such as K-383 and US-281.

The next task force meeting will be at the Kansas State University Innovation Campus in Olathe on Nov. 8. At this meeting, we will focus on project selection criteria and the economic impact of transportation. More information about future meeting locations and directions on how to provide testimony can be found here.

Urban Mobility Discussion in Olathe. Before the task force meeting in Olathe, we will hold a stakeholder meeting to discuss urban mobility from 8:00 – 9:30 a.m.

Beat the glare when driving

Traveling in a direction that faces the sun is inevitable, and when it is shining directly in your eyes, driving can be a challenge. Most drivers have experienced the blinding rays and glare in their line of vision.  Whether you are on your way to work in the morning or going out on your evening adventures — here are some tips that will help you.

Keep your windshield clean: Don’t just clean your windshield on the outside, dust can collect on the inside as well, making the glare from the sun even worse.  Check your windshield for cracks or small pits in the surface.

Check your defrost system and windshield wipers: Frost and condensation from dew can make driving in the morning challenging. Check to make sure your car is equipped to clear your windshield.

Use your sun visor: While this may not help you when the sun is directly on the horizon, it is beneficial when the sun is slightly higher in the sky. Consider researching sun visor extensions to get more coverage across your line of vision.

Sunglasses: Your car comes equipped with sun visors, why shouldn’t you? Invest in sunglasses that not only look cool, but hep reduce glare.

Allow more space between vehicles: Driving with the sun directly in your line of sight can make it harder to see what is in front of you. Allowing for more distance can give you more room to stop.

Use your headlights: You can increase the chances of other motorists seeing you by driving with your headlights on.

Pay special attention at crosswalks: Double check each side of the road when you approach crosswalks and intersections. Look for shadows or any sign of movement before proceeding.

Use the road markings to help: If all these tips still leave you blindsided, look at the lines along the road or other visual cues.

Be prepared and stop in a safe location for a while when necessary — it’s better to arrive late than not at all.

Joint Legislative Transportation Vision Task Force – Wichita Meeting

Evolving Technologies and Transportation – At the meeting last Thursday in Wichita, the Task Force turned its focus to technology and its impact on transportation. To begin the meeting, we heard from the Mayor of Wichita on the importance of transportation as an economic driver to draw businesses to Kansas. KDOT presented an overview of existing and emerging transportation technologies, including Intelligent Transportation Systems as well as the movement toward electric vehicles and eventually autonomous and connected vehicles. Discussion also included the partnerships and infrastructure that will be needed as technology advances and changes how people move across the state. Presentations from the meeting can be found here.

Local Testimony Highlights Importance of Addressing Congestion and Improving Safety – During the public testimony, we heard from a variety of stakeholders on the importance of improving existing transportation infrastructure to meet the increased demands of today. As both freight and personal vehicle traffic has increased, congestion has increased in areas such as the Wichita North Junction and K-254 highway.  Like other meetings, safety continued to be emphasized. 

Considerations for Future Task Force Discussions – The Task Force reviewed the variety of information sources that will be available to help inform recommendations later this year including fact-books, which summarize information from presentations; the online funding/expenditure/performance calculator; the list of projects shared by stakeholders and local input testimony from each meeting. Task Force members also indicated they like to learn more about cost-effective safety improvement options, opportunities for partnerships as new transportation technologies evolve and a variety of funding options.     

The next task force meeting Is taking place today at Fort  Hays State University in Hays, Kan. At this meeting, topics will focus on alternative delivery methods and the county transportation system in Kansas. More information about future meeting locations and directions on how to provide testimony can be found here.

Local Programs and Rural Mobility Discussion in Hays. Before the task force meeting in Hays, we will hold a stakeholder meeting to discuss local programs and rural mobility from 8:00 – 9:30 a.m. An urban mobility focused stakeholder meeting will be held before the meeting in Olathe on Nov. 8.

National teen driver safety week

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teens in the United States, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In 2016, teen driver deaths increased 6 percent from the previous year.

To raise awareness about six driving dangers, KDOT is participating in National Teen Driver Safety Week and would like to remind teen drivers:

Don’t drive while impaired: Although teens are too young to legally drink, they still are at risk for driving under the influence. Nearly one out of five teen drivers involved in crashes resulting in a fatality had been drinking, the NHTSA found When it comes to drinking and driving, it’s just not worth it.

Buckle up — every trip, every time. It doesn’t matter where in the vehicle you are sitting, everyone should wear their seat belts. It is one of the easiest ways for teens and their passengers to travel safer and buckling up saves lives. 

Ditch the distractions. Distracted driving is not only dangerous, it is deadly. That text message or social media post can wait. Your life is way too important to risk it. Remember that distracted driving can look like many different things – talking to other passengers, listening to music, turning up the heat or air conditioning and eating. These are just a few of the distractions that all drivers experience.

Go the speed limit. Speeding is a huge problem for drivers of any age., Almost one-third of teen drivers involved in a fatal crash were speeding, the NHTSA found.  Following the speed limit could mean the difference between life and death.

Passengers can affect how you drive. The likelihood of teens engaging in risky driving behaviors or being distracted increases with multiple passengers.  As the driver, you control the mood of your trip. Limit the number of passengers who ride with you or tell them how they can ride safely in your vehicle.

Driving drowsy is dangerous. Everyone is busy, even teens. With sports, studying for tests, extracurricular activities, jobs and even hanging out with loved ones, there is a lot going on in the lives of young drivers. With all these important tasks, the amount of sleep young motorists receive is far less than what is needed to drive safely. Remember to get a good night’s sleep before you get behind the wheel. Only drive when you are fully awake and alert. 

Parents, and guardians, it is up to all of us to teach the next generation the importance of driving safely. Lead by example and show your teens what safe driving behavior looks like.

For more information about National Teen Driver Safety Week please visit: www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/teen-driving.

Are you winter ready?

It may only be early fall in the Sunflower State, but we have already seen the return of wintry weather this month and it is only just the beginning and whether we like it or not, winter is coming. 

Prior to the upcoming winter weather season, the Kansas Department of Transportation, Kansas Turnpike Authority, and the Kansas Highway Patrol are urging motorists to travel safely and prepare for winter road conditions wherever they travel.

Road conditions in the state can be checked utilizing KDOT’s KanDrive site, www.kandrive.org. KanDrive provides map views of road conditions and closures, real-time camera views of current highway conditions, and links to road information for neighboring states. You can also call 5-1-1 from any phone in the state for a recording of road conditions.

The state encourages you to make sure your vehicle is prepared ahead of the storm season, when ice, snow or rain, as well as colder temperatures can make driving more difficult.  Check your wiper blades, tire treads, wiper fluid levels, and that in general your vehicle is in good mechanical working order, including your emergency flashing lights. It is recommended you keep a winter weather emergency kit in your vehicle at all times. Emergency kits should contain item such as: 

• A flash light
• Extra warm clothing
• Extra batteries
• Extra Vehicle Fluid
• A shovel
• Battery-powered radio
• Non-perishable snack food
• Bottled water
• Matches and candles
• First aid kit
• Pocket knife
• Tow chain and/or rope
• Booster cables
• Road flares
• Fluorescent Distress flag
• Blankets 

As the days grow colder and darker it is important to stay prepared. Winter weather can strike quickly never leave home without your emergency kit. It could save your life. 

Wet and wild weather affects roads across the state

Last week the state of Kansas experienced two extremes — flooding and snow in October. Highways in several counties were closed for various periods of times, and KDOT crews were there to assist with traffic control. Here are a few areas affected by floodwaters.

Crews from KDOT-Fort Scott use a snowplow to swab cornstalks and other debris away
 from the flooded roadway on K-31 west of Fulton.

South east Kansas

Heavy rainfall led to flooded and closed highways at several locations in southeast Kansas during the week of Oct. 8. K-31 west of Fulton and K-65 in Bourbon County were barricaded, and the permanent floodgates were closed at the flooded section of K-152 in Linn County.

The sun sets on a flooded section of K-65 in Bourbon County.

Early last week, the U.S. 169 exit ramp from U.S. 54 was closed because of water standing at its base. In addition, KDOT crews flagged traffic through shallow flood waters on U.S. 54 at the U.S. 169/U.S. 54 junction. The town of Erie experienced significant flooding, although U.S. 59 remained open. KDOT crews from Erie and Chanute assisted Neosho County and the City of Erie in flagging and making repairs at the Neosho River levee at Erie.

Flooding at the base of the U.S. 169 on-ramp from
U.S. 54 resulted in a brief closure to traffic.

North east Kansas

The flooding of the Cottonwood river south of Emporia prompted the closure of K-99 last week. 

Several closures occurred as a result of floodwaters in north east Kansas. 

One of the areas affected was near Emporia. Last week's rain lasted approximately three days and resulted in flash flooding in the Dow Creek/Neosho River flood plain just north of the city. This caused KDOT crews to close K-99 between I-35 and 240 Rd. The highway was closed for nearly 24 hours last Tuesday and Wednesday. 

During the same weather period, the Cottonwood River began to rise past flood stage. Last Wednesday, just after opening K-99 north of Emporia, KDOT had to close K-99 south of the. This flood event was slow to recede and the highway was closed approximately two days. 

During the flooding closure, KDOT, Lyon County and KTA officials worked together on a local detour that allowed locals who lived south of town to get to their jobs and home again. This was achieved through signed detours on county roads and over to a temporary gate on the KTA.  The KTA didn't charge users for this temporary detour. KDOT crews manned the closure point on K-99 and gave instructions to vehicles passing in the area. 

Other areas affected by floodwater on the highways:

K-9 and K-87 near Vliets - This area is prone to flooding, as the Black Vermillion and North Fork Black Vermillion rivers converge there.

K-5 closed in Leavenworth County where Sevenmile Creek crosses the highway.  That area also is prone to flooding after heavy (or prolonged) rainfall

K-7 was closed in Doniphan county, north of White Cloud, as the Missouri River rose high enough to cover the surface of the highway.

North central Kansas

A highway outside of Minneapolis is covered in water.

High waters and flooding occurred in parts of north central Kansas on Oct. 9. K-14 in Ellsworth County was closed for eight miles during the day and one mile overnight as water covered the road in several areas. Ellsworth County also experienced flooded roadways on K-111 and traffic was flagged for two hours until roads were drivable. Saline County had a lane closure for a few hours on K-140 due to water over the road at the bridge by mile marker 22.

South central Kansas

Drone Footage of U.S. 81 north of the K-55 Junction in south central Kansas. Photo by KDOT employee, AJ Wilson

Flooding closed several highways in south central Kansas. KDOT crews on the evening of Oct. 8 began flagging U.S. 281 in Barton County from the bridge over Blood Creek to south of the Hoisington city limit. KDOT later closed the road to traffic. U.S. 281 was opened to traffic on Oct. 10.

Crews flagged K-2 from about two miles east of the U.S. 281 junction to just west of Kiowa as well.

Crews began flagging K-14 north and south of the city of Lyons on Tuesday and later closed the highway south of Lyons. K-14 reopened Friday.

In Sumner County, flooding closed U.S. 81 for about a six-mile stretch from the K-55 intersection to the Sumner/Sedgwick county line. Crews also closed K-55 for a 2.5-mile stretch from U.S. 81 to the Belle Plaine city limit. Those roads reopened Friday.

Flood waters over K-55 west of Belle Plaine.

Crack sealing extends pavement life

Example of a crack on K-23 in Gray County that must be sealed to preserve the highway surface

With the arrival of  cooler weather, crack seal projects are underway in south west Kansas.

Pavement Pros, LLC of McPherson begin by routing the crack so that it can be cleaned and sealed.

According to Asphalt magazine, spring, fall and winter are considered the best time for crack sealing projects because the cracks are in “average position” (not completely open or closed) during cooler weather. 

KDOT Engineering Technician, Larry Roberts measures the cracks to be sealed.

Crack sealing is a cost-effective way to maintain roads that are in fair-to-good condition because it prevents water and extraneous materials from entering the crack and causing damage to the underlying pavement structure. 

A Pavement Pros, LLC crew member blows the loose debris and material out of the crack preparing it to be sealed.

In order to get the best results, the crack must be prepared by routing or sawing the crack and then cleaned using high-pressure air to remove loose material. 

A Pavement Pros, LLC crew member applies sealant to the crack.

After the crack is prepared, the sealer can be placed using a hot wand and hose connected to the rubber pot. The material used as the sealer is determined by the type and size of the crack and the environment. 

An added benefit of crack sealing is that the sealant requires a fairly short curing time allowing traffic to return to the treated area almost immediately after the treatment.

Joint Legislative Transportation Vision Task Force – Garden City Meeting

Safety is a Key Component of Transportation – At last Thursday's meeting in Garden City, the Task Force turned its focus to safety.  KDOT provided updates on various safety campaigns targeted at driver and passenger behavior, such as increased seat belt usage. Other ways KDOT works to increase roadway safety includes adding rumble strips to help prevent lane departures and installing roundabouts to reduce serious injuries and crashes. Presentations from the meeting can be found here.

Local Testimony Highlights Need for Safety Improvements – During the public testimony, a variety of stakeholders shared personal stories that showed the importance of improving the safety of our state’s roads. Stakeholders would like to see safety improvements made to K-156 and U.S. 54, as well as the addition of passing lanes on U.S. 83 between Scott City and Garden City. Stakeholders also shared the importance of transportation infrastructure as it plays an integral role in supporting the state’s economy, including transporting agriculture products to markets. 

Task Force Goals and Discussion – Now that the Task Force has completed half of the scheduled meetings, they reviewed and discussed their stated goals, including:  

·         Define transportation needs/priorities

·         Identify how much funding will be required to meet those priorities

·         Identify funding options that can be consistently provided to meet those priorities

No changes were made to the goals and the Task Force has asked for additional discussion and information to be provided on a variety of topics, including:  city and county transportation needs; federal funding; and ways pavement life can be extended.

The next task force meeting will be at Wichita State University on Oct. 18. This meeting will focus on technology, including Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) and autonomous and connected vehicles. More information about future meeting locations and directions on how to provide testimony can be found here.

Aviation, Transit, and Bike/Pedestrian Stakeholder Meetings in Wichita. Before the task force meeting in Wichita, we will hold stakeholder meetings to discuss Aviation, Transit, and Bike/Pedestrian topics from 8:00 – 9:30 a.m. Additional topic-specific stakeholder meetings will be held at future meetings in Hays and Olathe.

Stay alert: Deer, other animals on the move

Mating season and the quest for more secure habitat have deer on the move this time of year, increasing the chances of vehicle collisions.

Typically, the greatest number of deer-vehicle crashes are in mid-November when the rut, or mating season, peaks. In addition to the rut, deer are also on the move in mid-fall seeking new food sources and shelter as crops are harvested and leaves fall from trees and shrubs, leaving them less secure than in their summer habitats.

“The deer population has stabilized over the last six years, so areas that have had deer likely still have them,” said Levi Jaster, Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Big Game Coordinator. “This time of year, young animals are dispersing to find new places to live and breeding season is approaching. More animals on the move means more of them will be crossing roads, so be extra cautious in areas with good deer habitat."

According to the Kansas Department of Transportation, 10,226 (17 percent) of the 58,834 vehicle crashes reported in 2017 were deer-related (crashes in which a deer and vehicle actually collided or the presence of a deer was a contributing circumstance). Crashes involving deer occur in every part of the state throughout the year. 

In 2017, Butler County had 438 vehicle-deer crashes, the most of any county, while Sedgwick County followed with 385 vehicle-deer crashes.

“In addition to potentially causing human injuries and loss of life, deer collisions often cause significant vehicle damage that can lead to large expenses for the vehicle owner if not properly insured,” said Jennifer Haugh,

Public and Government Affairs Manager for AAA Kansas. “Of the animal strikes reported by AAA Insurance policy holders in 2017, the average cost per claim was more than $4,500.”

The Kansas Highway Patrol cautions drivers to refrain from making exaggerated maneuvers to avoid a deer in the road, lest a bad situation become even worse.

“If you are unfortunate enough to have a deer enter the highway in front of your car, it is best to hit the animal and not swerve to avoid it,” said the KHP’s Lt. Adam Winters. “Often, we find more serious crashes occur when you swerve to miss the deer, potentially losing control of your vehicle, leaving the road or veering into oncoming traffic.”

The agencies recommend the following to help motorists avoid crashes with deer:
• Be especially watchful at dawn and dusk, when deer are more active.
• If you see one deer, watch for others, as they seldom travel alone.
• Reduce speed and be alert near wooded areas or green spaces, such as parks and golf courses, and
near water sources such as streams and ponds.
• Deer crossing signs show areas where high numbers of vehicle/deer crashes have occurred in the past.
• Use bright lights when there is no oncoming traffic and scan the road ahead of you to watch for deer.
• Don’t swerve to avoid hitting a deer—the most serious crashes sometimes occur when motorists
swerve and collide with another vehicle or run off the road and hit an obstacle.
• Always wear a seat belt and use the appropriately-fitted child safety seats—they are your best defense should you be involved in a crash.
• Honk your horn with one long blast. A long blast on your horn may frighten large animals, such as deer, away from your vehicle. The Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.) advises against relying on devices such as deer whistles and reflectors, which have not been proven to reduce collisions with animals.

If you do strike a deer, here are some additional tips:

• Slow down, move your vehicle to the shoulder if possible, and call for law enforcement. KHP dispatch can be reached at *47, Kansas Turnpike at *KTA, and local law enforcement at 911. Make sure you tell the dispatcher if the animal or your vehicle is still in the road.
• If you hit a deer or other animal, do not worry about removing the animal. Law enforcement can remove the animal from the road when they arrive. Don’t go near a wounded animal. A frightened and wounded animal can be unpredictable.
• Turn on your hazard lights and remain buckled up inside your vehicle. You are more protected this way, should a secondary crash occur.
• If you must be outside your vehicle, make sure it is as far off the road as possible, and do not stand between your vehicle and another one. Keep children buckled, and in car seats in the vehicle. Be vigilant and watch traffic.

Anyone involved in a vehicle-deer crash resulting in personal injury or property damage that totals $1,000 or more is required to immediately report the crash to the nearest law enforcement agency. Failure to report any traffic crash is a misdemeanor and may result in suspension of driving privileges.

A salvage tag is required to remove a deer carcass, or any part of the carcass, from the crash site. Tags can be issued by KHP troopers, sheriff’s deputies, or KDWPT game wardens. 

Kansas kids win poster/video contests, focus on improving traffic safety

Winners of two Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day statewide contests have been announced as part of the national safety campaign Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day.

For the poster contest – Kaymi Zink of Claflin, Finley Maloney of Kingman and Abigail Coons of Lawrence are the statewide winners. Each student was first selected as a regional winner and will receive a bicycle and a helmet donated by Safe Kids Kansas at presentations at their schools. A total of 836 Kansas kids ages 5 to 13 participated.

As statewide winners in their age categories, they will also receive a Kindle Fire tablet from the Kansas Turnpike Authority, a $50 gift card from the Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association of Kansas, a $50 gift card from Wal-Mart and movie passes from AAA Kansas. 

Abigail Goons, created this poster. She is a student from Lawrence. 

Finley Maloney, created this poster and is a student from Kingman. 

Kaymi Zink created this poster and is a student from Claflin. 

For the video contest – Andrew Marshall Tabb from Shawnee Mission West won first place. He will receive his choice of an iPad, GoPro or Osmo Steadicam along with a $500 donation to the school, class or booster club.

Students from Eudora High School captured second place, and students from Lawrence High School placed third in the video contest. Each will receive one of the remaining prizes listed above. There were 37 entries from teens across the state. To see the winning videos, go to http://bit.ly/2018PTBOF.

Organizations that work together on this safety campaign include the Kansas Department of Transportation, Kansas Turnpike Authority, Kansas Highway Patrol, AAA of Kansas, Kansas Contractors Association, Kansas Family Partnership, Kansas Traffic Safety Resource Office, Federal Highway Administration and the Kansas Society of Professional Engineers.

Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day is a nationwide effort to increase roadway safety and reduce all traffic fatalities. For more information and a list of all the winners across Kansas, go to www.ksdot.org and click on the Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day information.

FHWA is helping to put the brakes on fatalities with proven safety countermeasures



Brandye Hendrickson

By Deputy Federal Highway Administrator Brandye Hendrickson

At the Federal Highway Administration, a priority is for Kansans to have safe roads. Together with the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) and others, we are committed to eliminating fatalities and serious injuries on the nation’s roadways. This is no small feat, especially when you consider that more than 37,000 lives are lost on U.S. roads each year.

At FHWA, we believe these deaths are not only unacceptable. They are preventable.

One way FHWA is working to get us to zero deaths is by assisting states and localities to employ proven safety countermeasures. After years of testing and research, we now have 20 countermeasures/strategies that can be used to address issues related to roadway departure, intersection and pedestrian and bicycle crashes, including local road safety plans and rumble strips that can be used in Kansas and other parts of the country.

We all have a role to play in making sure our friends, neighbors and loved ones get to their destination safely in Kansas and elsewhere, which is why FHWA works closely with KDOT and others. We also coordinate with our counterparts at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and the Federal Railroad Administration to develop and implement effective safety programs.

But we also need the help of the traveling public. The safest highway in the world is of little use when drivers are drinking and then getting behind the wheel or texting while driving. The same applies to pedestrians who are distracted while walking, or bicyclists who ignore the rules of the road.

Proven safety countermeasures used by KDOT and other state DOTs can and will continue to make a difference in the years ahead and we’re committed to making them a staple of safety programs across the country. With these techniques, and the help of conscientious drivers, we can put the brakes on fatalities.

 

 

Joint Legislative Transportation Vision Task Force – Newton Meeting

Freight and Passenger Rail Stakeholder Meeting – In Newton, we hosted our first stakeholder meeting with a focus on freight and passenger rail. We saw a good turnout as stakeholders heard from industry leaders on the importance of rail in Kansas in terms of both moving people and the economic vitality it helps bring to communities. Presenters also discussed the importance of rail funding programs.  Key takeaways from the discussion were provided during a report given to the task force.

Local Programs and Lockbox Legislation – The Newton meeting focused on the importance of KDOT’s partnerships with local communities in improving local roads as well as lockbox legislation that has been implemented across the country to protect transportation funding. Presentations from the meeting can be found here.

Common Themes Continue During Local Testimony – During local testimony, stakeholders continued to show strong support for finishing T-WORKS projects and improving safety on highways (specifically K-96 in this region).  Stakeholders also voiced support for rail of all kinds in Kansas, notably discussing the importance passenger rail and short line rail.  Public transit was also discussed with an emphasis placed on transit in rural communities and the important role it plays in increasing access to health care and shopping, including groceries, in rural counties.

The next task force meeting will be at Garden City High School on Oct. 11. This meeting will focus on transportation safety. More information about future meeting locations and directions on how to provide testimony can be found here.

Aviation, Transit, and Bike/Pedestrian Stakeholder Meetings in Wichita. The next stakeholder meetings will be held in Wichita on Oct. 18. This meeting will be held from 8:00 – 9:30 a.m. at Wichita State University before the task force meeting begins at 10:00 a.m. 

Additional topic-specific stakeholder meetings will be held at future meetings in Hays and Olathe.