KanDrive improvements will help motorists receive road condition information

Numerous improvements have been made to the Kansas Department of Transportation’s KanDrive website that provides motorists continuously updated conditions of highways across the state.

“The website received more than 2 million views last winter,” said Alan Spicer, Assistant Bureau Chief in Transportation Planning. “It’s important to keep the traveling public notified of current and changing road conditions so they can make informed travel decisions.”

The main page at www.KanDrive.org has been streamlined to make it easier to begin viewing details. Just click on the map to open the tabs at the top of the page, which have been expanded. The first tab, Travel Alerts, gives a comprehensive list of incident closures, road work closures and weather closures.

The other tabs allow motorists to view several maps and include –

Incidents/weather – shows road incidents, flooding, fog, blowing dust, law enforcement;

Winter conditions – this map becomes the main map on the website if any highways are affected by snow or ice;

Construction – shows that are planned, active and have closed a section of highway. Also, people can click on the map location for details on the project, and an estimated start date has been added;

Cameras/signs – shows images and live feeds at certain locations and signs with messages;

Truck parking – shows locations and availability of parking spots for truck drivers.

This information is also available on mobile devices. A map icon has been added to the top of the mobile website to assist users in opening the page.

“Helping motorists receive a variety of information before beginning their journey will give them the knowledge needed to plan their routes or even delay their start time to when the situation improves,” Spicer said. “Being informed of road conditions is an important tool to have when making travel choices.”

Be prepared for Independence Day and summer travel

Summer travel is heating up across the country and many people will celebrate this holiday weekend by hitting the road and traveling to - and through - the Sunflower State. The Kansas Turnpike Authority and Kansas Highway Patrol and The Kansas Department of Transportation are partnering to remind motorists to travel safely during Independence Day, and throughout the rest of the summer.

From July 3 through July 5, KHP personnel will be working in support of the Combined Accident Reduction Effort (C.A.R.E.) enforcement, along with personnel from other states. C.A.R.E. focuses on occupant protection, impaired driving laws, and other crash-causing traffic violations. C.A.R.E.’s goal is increased safety and ease of travel on our nation’s roadways.

Being prepared for any summer travel is a big factor in keeping your trip running smoothly,” said Steve Hewitt, Kansas Turnpike Authority CEO. “For our travelers on the Turnpike, if you find yourself needing roadside assistance, our State Farm Safety Assist program is available in our busy corridors to help get you back up and running.”

Before travelers pack their cars, they can check their route for potential delays or construction with the help of KanDrive, www.kandrive.org. KanDrive includes camera images and interactive maps as well as links to rest areas and travel and tourism sites.

Smartphone users can access the site by going to www.kandrive.org and bookmarking it to your home screen so it’s ready when you need it. If users would prefer to use the text-based mobile website, it can be found at 511mm.ksdot.org.

Much of the same information can be accessed by calling 5-1-1 in Kansas or 1- 866-511-KDOT (5368) in the U.S. Before hitting the road, drivers and their passengers need to buckle up.

“Drivers need to set a good example by wearing their seat belts,” said Julie Lorenz, Kansas Secretary of Transportation.

Studies in Kansas show that if the driver is belted, about 95 percent of all other passengers in the vehicle are properly restrained.  If the driver is NOT belted, it’s only 25 percent of the other passengers.

“Seat belts save lives every day,” Lorenz said. "It is easy to do and could save your life.”

The agencies wish all of those traveling during the upcoming holiday, safe travels. If you are in need of help on a Kansas highway, you can call KHP for assistance at *47 (*HP) or *KTA (*582) for the Kansas Turnpike.

As you enjoy your summer travels and celebrate Independence Day, the agencies offer some tips to help you and your family have a blast:

• It’s hot out there so make sure your vehicle is in proper working order for the heat of summer - check fluids, tires, the air conditioning and cooling system.
• When you leave, start off with a full tank of gas and a fully charged phone.
• Plan your route of travel and check www.kandrive.org for construction, and other issues with your travel plans. The site also has links to other states’ travel information. Also give a family member your travel plans. 
• As you travel, remember to Move Over for first responders and highway maintenance crews. If you are unable to Move Over, then Slow Down.
• In case of a break down, keep emergency supplies in your car, including bottles of water, a phone charger, and non-perishable food items.
• Ensure everyone in your vehicle is using their seat belt and/or an appropriately-fitted child safety seat.
• Arrange for a designated driver ahead of time if you’ll be consuming alcohol. Do not drink and drive.
• If you’re hosting a party, have non-alcoholic drink alternatives available for designated drivers. 

Kandrive: There's a hack for that

One of KDOT’s year-round customer service products to help drivers plan their travel is KanDrive.org, which automatically and continuously updates closures, construction and traffic-impacting incidents on interstates, highways and Kansas routes.  But during the winter, with a flurry of information coming from various sources and rapidly changing conditions, drivers often forget KanDrive is still the most accurate and timely source for road condition information.

“KanDrive is KDOT’s traveler information gateway for Kansas and surrounding states,” said Kevin Hennes, KDOT Applications Developer. “It provides an interactive map of Kansas roads, work zones and the ability to view highway cameras to see surface-related road conditions in real time on computer and mobile devices.”

While road condition updates are often posted on KDOT’s social media pages, they are not updated around the clock. KanDrive is the official source of highway travel information in Kansas and it has the most current and complete source of road condition information available. The application is fed by several electronic sources from across the state and it updates in real time.

“Please do not tweet, email or message KDOT when you need timely information on road closures, we cannot answer calls or emails around the clock, even during storms,” said Laurie Arellano, KDOT Communications Director.  “By the time we are able to respond to your message, conditions may have changed significantly.”

Drivers can check KanDrive anytime from a computer or a phone and get the same information, although they may look different.  For those who rely primarily on their mobile devices, take a tour of the mobile-friendly version in this blog to find the quickest way to get road condition information.

Use your device to get to the Internet and type in KanDrive.org to arrive at the home screen.

Select view the roads.  KanDrive has four options to show  road conditions: Seasonal, partially covered, completely covered and closed.  Road condition information on this page is a broader picture of weather conditions in the state.

Seasonal means the roads are normal for that time of year.  Patchy slick spots after a frost are seasonal, lightly blowing snow following a snowfall is also seasonal, as are wet roads following rain. 

Partially covered means there are large patches of road covered by snow which will require drivers to slow down. 

Completely covered means roadway surfaces are not visible due to heavy snow. 

Closed roads means that the road conditions no longer safe for travel and it is against the law to go around road closure gate signs.

Now, for more localized travel information, click the back arrow in the top left corner.

On this page you’ll access more specific information about the highway or interstate you’re concerned about.  Select any of the options for more specific information to get local conditions.

Or select cameras and signs to see what conditions look like in real time.

Hennes says it’s important during changing weather conditions to check conditions frequently before planning to travel.

“It is always best to know before you go.”

Get out and travel this Independence Day

           If you are planning on traveling this long Independence Day weekend we want to remind you to be safe.

AAA Kansas predicts that 3.3 million people in this region will travel more than 50 miles over the holiday – the most Independence Day travelers since 2007. Kansas gas prices that are the lowest since 2005, will boost travel to a record level this year, according to Jim Hanni of AAA Kansas.  Gas prices are 44 cents or 17% lower than they were a year ago.

            KDOT and KHP safety experts caution travelers not to drink and drive. In 2014, 397 people were killed in traffic crashes throughout the nation during the Fourth of July holiday weekend and164 were alcohol-related. In 2015 in Kansas there were 417 crashes over the July 4 reporting period (6 p.m. Thursday July 2, 2015, through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, July 5, 2015.)  Two of those were fatality crashes and 99 were injury crashes. Of the 417 total crashes, 33 were alcohol-related.

            Law enforcement agencies from across the state will be actively watching for impaired drivers.

            “Travelers are going to take to the highway throughout the holiday weekend and we want them to take steps to make it to their destination safely,” KHP Lt. Adam Winters said. “We want people to enjoy the holiday weekend, but we want you to be safe doing so. For those planning to drink over the weekend, designate your sober driver before you celebrate. And any time you ride in a vehicle, buckle up and make sure children are in the appropriate child safety seats.”            

            Drivers can check KanDrive before leaving home for route delays and construction on www.kandrive.org. KanDrive includes camera images and interactive maps as well as links to rest areas and travel and tourism sites. KanDrive can be accessed from a smartphone.

Much of the same information can be accessed by calling 5-1-1 in Kansas or 1-

866-511-KDOT (5368) in the U.S.

Know before you go by using these services from home or in a vehicle that is parked in a safe location. If you are involved in a crash on a Kansas highway call *47 (*HP) from a cell phone for a highway patrol dispatcher or if on the Kansas Turnpike, dial *582 (*KTA) or 911. 

If you are planning on taking the Kansas Turnpike, the State Farm Safety Assist program is being expanded to provide assistance to travelers with roadside emergencies. The State Farm Safety Assist technicians are equipped with various equipment and tools prepared to help in any way they can, from assisting in tire changes, directing traffic, minor mechanical solutions and transportation to safety. All services offered are free to travelers thanks to State Farm’s sponsorship of the Kansas Turnpike’s program.