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.