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.  

KDOT Values Series: District mentors help employees grow and improve

By Deb Gruver, Public Affairs Manager, south central Kansas

When Robin Gregory, the Acting Construction Engineer in Winfield, needed some advice recently about a bridge replacement project on U.S. 166 in Arkansas City, she called District Construction Mentor John Gatz.

Gatz, who works out of the District Five office in Hutchinson, drove down to the project site to lend a hand – and some expertise.

“We talked about driving the piling on the abutments on that bridge and the PDA (pile driving analyzer) that was run. She wanted another set of eyes to look at it,” Gatz said.

Gatz and Gregory met briefly that day as construction crews continued work on the bridge over the Arkansas River.

 “A mentor is great to have, especially when it’s been a while since you’ve done something” such as a bridge replacement, Gregory said.

In addition to reviewing paperwork, “he helps build confidence too,” Gregory said of Gatz. “He’s very easy to talk to and gives me feedback on my inspectors when I ask about their work.”

District Five Construction Mentor John Gatz helped teach some classes recently at the District Five materials lab in Hutchinson, working here with Engineering Technician Alan Perry.

KDOT has District Construction Mentors in each of its six districts across the state. Their role is to share their experience, problem-solve and help Engineering Technicians and others improve their skills. The department began hiring mentors in about 2005 or 2006, said Kevin Palic, Field Construction Engineer.

“They help with training and improving consistency across the district,” Palic said of mentors. “They’re kind of an assistant to the District Construction and Materials Engineer and help train our ETs (Engineering Technicians) across the district.”

Mentors play an important role at KDOT and provide valuable knowledge to newer employees, Palic said.

“I think they’re a valuable asset to have in every district. Not very long ago not every district had one,” he said. “We made a push to make sure every position was filled.”

District Five Engineer Brent Terstriep said mentors are someone newer Construction Engineers and Engineering Technicians can turn to to bounce ideas off of, and “it’s really important to have someone who can work with people.”

Mentors also provide important help cross-training KDOT employees, Terstriep said.

Gatz, who has worked for KDOT for 17 years, recently helped teach some classes at the District Five materials lab in Hutchinson. He became the District Construction Mentor in April 2018.

Formerly an Engineering Technician Senior in Pratt, Gatz said “I’m getting more comfortable in this role. I’m not on a specific project all the time like I was before. I go to a lot more projects.”

The KDOT Values series focuses on specific standards and goals that the agency strives to reach so transportation in Kansas can continue to move forward. Every district in the state has stories that share how KDOT is achieving our core values and we are sharing a story from different parts of the state every week!

Governor Colyer, KDOT announce local projects funding improvements

Topeka – Governor Jeff Colyer announced  yesterday that the Kansas Department of Transportation is increasing the exchange rate for local public agencies seeking to fund local projects with state funds through the Federal Fund Exchange Program, returning the exchange rate to $.90 in state funds made available for every $1.00 in federal funds awarded a local agency, upon that agency’s request.

“By participating in the Federal Fund Exchange Program, we are hoping to increase the control that localities have over their transportation projects and make sure that funds are available when they need them,” said Governor Colyer. “It is important to me that local governments have access to resources for local projects with less federal regulation and bureaucratic red tape. We want Kansas solutions for Kansas transportation issues.”

Secretary of Transportation Richard Carlson answers questions about the change in the Federal Fund Exchange Program, which was announced yesterday. 

The Federal Fund Exchange Program is a voluntary program allowing local public agencies the option to sell all or a portion of their federal funds for state transportation dollars, which provides greater flexibility of use and allows local agencies the opportunity to fund larger projects that may not have been possible with federal funding.

 “We value the partnership we have with local public agencies and we are looking forward to maximizing our capacity to help them improve their local transportation infrastructure,” said Secretary of Transportation Richard Carlson. “We want to continue providing a statewide transportation system that meets the needs of the people of Kansas.”

Federal funds exchanged for state funds can be used for local projects such as road construction, maintenance or preservation, safety improvements, sidewalks, ADA ramps, bridge construction, rehabilitation or repair, and low water crossings.

Max Dibble, Phillips County Commissioner and Kansas Association of Counties President, said, “Restoration of the $.90/$1.00 ratio in the federal funds exchange program will allow counties to further stretch our transportation dollars.  This means safer local roads and bridges for our citizens, farmers and businesses depending on them.”

Michael White, Executive Director of the Kansas Contractors Association commented that, “our economy depends on good roads and infrastructure. We appreciate the Governor and KDOT’s leadership to leverage innovative opportunities for transportation funding. This is a perfect example of how we can all work together - at the local, state and federal level - to repair and grow our economy through results-driven infrastructure investments.”

“As we travel the state and talk to cities, we repeatedly hear transportation funding and infrastructure development is critically important to maintain and grow our state,” said Erik Sartorius, Executive Director of the League of Kansas Municipalities. “We appreciate the Governor and KDOT for reinstating the 90-cent exchange rate for local projects. These funds are used to build important projects in cities including the reconstruction, rehabilitation, and reconstruction of roads and bridges.”

The exchange rate was $.90 for fiscal years 2011-2017 and was at $.75 for fiscal year 2018. Approximately $30 million in federal funds has been eligible for the program. The new rate will take effect with all new contracts.