Pondering deer-crossing signs

There are certain criteria that needs to be met in order for a deer crossing sign to be installed.
Photo by Tim Potter, KDOT South Central Public Affairs Manager 

By Tim Potter

KDOT South Central 

Public Affairs Manager

It’s deer season in Kansas – deer are extra active. And a motorist passed a deer-crossing sign the other morning and wondered: What determines when and where the signs get installed?

KDOT’s Steven Buckley, State Highway Safety Engineer, helped with an explanation:

First, there’s a threshold for adding a deer-crossing sign: Five deer-vehicle collisions within a quarter mile per year, or 15 crashes per mile in a year. The corresponding threshold used to be lower -- three crashes in a quarter mile or 10 crashes in a mile, before the current policy went into effect on May 1, 2012. KDOT determined that the previous threshold led to too many signs.

Meeting the threshold doesn’t automatically guarantee that a sign will be installed. Under KDOT policy, “New signs will be installed when brought to our attention and if shown on the most recent deer crash map.”

“Anywhere”: Although the signs alert drivers to a possible higher potential for deer, Buckley said there’s an important safety guidance: “The reality is deer can be anywhere. They’re not just going to cross by the signs. We don’t want people to be just looking for deer when they see a sign.”

“Don’t swerve”: If a motorist does encounter a deer, he said, he or she should remember not to swerve to avoid the animal, because it could send the car dangerously out of control.

How KDOT learns of deer crashes: From law enforcement reports. But motorists don’t always report collisions.

Where a sign gets planted: Under the KDOT’s sign manual, deer crossing signs are to be installed 650 feet in advance of where deer have crossed where the speed limit is 65 mph, and 750 feet where the speed limit is 70.

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.  

Here's your sign: Interpretive Kansas Byway signs upgraded

The Land and Sky National Scenic Byway interpretive sign at K-27 near St. Francis.

Travelers on the 12 scenic or historic byways in Kansas will enjoy their trips even more this year thanks to new or upgraded interpretive signs at 39 locations across the state. Kansas Byways are a collection of routes that highlight the beauty, history and heritage of Kansas; help stimulate the economy through tourism; and promote a positive image of the state.

The Kansas Byways program is jointly managed by the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT), the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT), the Kansas Historical Society (KHS) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Nine of the routes are scenic byways (two of which are national scenic byways) and three are historic byways.

The latest $1.44 million project included construction of five new kiosks housing interpretive panels, the rehabilitation of 12 existing kiosks and their signs, 26 interpretive signage plazas and 12 Kansas Byway welcome boards which will guide travelers to the byways as they travel the state. In all, 142 panel surfaces were produced.

KDOT and KDWPT received a $220,000 National Scenic Byway grant from the FHWA in 2010 to develop the Kansas Byways Interpretive Plan. KDOT and KDWPT evenly split the required 20 percent match of $44,000. Fermata, Inc. of Austin, Tex., was awarded the contract for the plan, which served as the basis for the signage project.

In 2014, KDWPT received a two-phase Transportation Alternative Grant from the FHWA which was administered through KDOT for design and construction. RDG Planning and Design, Omaha, Neb., was responsible for the design phase ($235,560). GSR Construction, Inc., Lawrence, served as general contractor ($986,168) for the construction phase. KDWPT paid the required 20 percent match for each phase.

“The project is the result of a huge partnership, and we want to thank our partners in this effort,” said Scott Shields, KDOT Byways Manager. “They include the National Scenic Byway Program, the FHWA, local byway committees, KDOT and KDWPT staff, local Kansas Byway cities and counties and the KHS.”

The Flint Hills National Scenic Byway interpretive sign near Council Grove.

Members of the local byway committees appreciate the enhancements to their byways.

“The kiosk and new interpretive signage add so much to the history and understanding of the surrounding area for tourists to stop and read,” said Kaye Kuhn, Gypsum Hills Scenic Byway, south central Kansas.

Jayne Humphrey Pearce added, “The Western Vistas Historic Byway Steering Committee is delighted that these new features are now available to those exploring our byway.”

For information about exploring the Kansas Byways, visit https://www.travelks.com/ksbyways/.

Political signs don't belong on KDOT right of way

Sign, sign, everywhere a sign. But not on Kansas Department of Transportation right of way, where the only signs you should see are there for your safety and to help you get to your destination.

As election season ramps up, KDOT is reminding the public that campaign signs are a no-no on our right of way. So are garage sale signs and business signs.

By law, all right of way on state highways is to be used exclusively for public highway purposes. Only regulatory, guide and warning signs are allowed on the state highway system. KDOT has jurisdiction over all interstate, Kansas and U.S. routes on the state’s 9,500-mile system.

KDOT removes political or business signs on state right of way, taking them to the closest subarea office.

“It’s almost a full-time job,” said Area Superintendent David Lechner, who works in Wichita.

People can claim seized signs but must agree to not put them on state right of way again. Political signs not picked up will be disposed of after the election. Condition of signs is not guaranteed.

“People put them up anywhere,” said Area Superintendent Gene Watts, who works in Pratt. He remembers one candidate who was adamant that he had the right to put a sign on state right of way. The candidate later called Watts to apologize.

Political campaign advertising is allowed on private property bordering state right of way. But remember to get permission to place a sign on private property.