KDOT materials designed for safety, with you in mind!

Have you ever thought about what KDOT looks for when choosing materials that are used in our transportation system? KDOT not only considers the amount of wear and tear materials can endure but also considers important aspects of each material that can impact your safety while driving. Over the years many improvements have been made to the materials KDOT uses in the transportation system with a focus on safety.

You may not think your safety can be impacted by a sign post or guardrail, but it can. James Roudybush, District Two Maintenance Engineer says KDOT has designed sign posts to break away in the chance of a collision. To do this, holes have been properly placed at the bottom of sign posts for breakaway and breakaway bases are placed at the bottom of steel sign posts. This allows the post to breakaway in the event of a collision, this design is intended to cause less damage. 

The material used to paint stripes on the roadway is also important. Mike Hahn, Paint Crew Supervisor in District Two, says KDOT tests the stripe material standard levels of retroreflectivity.

Pavement markings are more than just white or yellow paint. Research
and testing goes into the stripe material before they are applied to the road
surfaces. 

According to the Federal Highway Administration, retroreflectivity bounces light from vehicle headlights back toward the vehicle and the driver’s eyes, making the road markings recognizable from a greater distance.  Retroreflectivity also makes markings appear brighter and easier to see at night. Hahn says KDOT schedules the replacement of striping once their measurement of retroreflectivity drops below minimum the levels.

These are only a few improvements KDOT has made to the safety of materials that are used in the state’s transportation system. KDOT staff participates in national committees to keep up to date with research and also reviews new safety products that may be  used in our transportation system. KDOT will continue these efforts in the future to help meet the needs of the traveling public.