A Post About Posts

Posted by Nancy Powell,
Traffic Management Center Supervisor

May 26, 2010 - A Post About Posts

An odd phenomenon is occurring with some frequency throughout the KC metro area. Vehicles are driving into, around and through highway signs. We at Scout are amazed at the numbers of incidents involving sign posts specifically. Just yesterday morning, a semi jackknifed on NB I-435 at MO 210 and wrapped itself around a sign post, impaling the trailer.



With recurring frequency, the 222B Exit sign on I-35 NB to I-435 WB in Lenexa has been the unwitting target of vehicular assault.



And while on the subject of posts...yet another kind have been under attack recently, but for a very good reason. On Monday, Kansas Governor Parkinson signed into law House Substitute for Senate Bill 300 prohibiting drivers from writing, sending, or reading handheld text messages while driving. Exceptions to this bill include use by law enforcement and emergency service personnel; receiving emergency, traffic, or weather related messages; reporting illegal activity to law enforcement; and using a wireless communications device to make or receive a phone call. Law enforcement will be required to issue a warning citation for violations until January 1, 2011. The fine for unlawful texting will be $60. Missouri adopted Senate Bill 130 last August to prohibit drivers from sending, reading, or writing text messages while operating motor vehicles on the highways of Missouri except under limited circumstances.

If you are one of those techno-savvy folks who can't fathom being without their electronic gizmos while behind the wheel, consider the consequences of being fined, sustaining property damage or worse, a loss of life, perhaps not your own. No electronic message is so important that it can't wait until you are safely at your destination to respond. Let’s give highway posts a rest shall we?

Run For The Wall

Posted by Nancy Powell,
Traffic Management Center Supervisor


May 24, 2010 - Run For The Wall

KC Scout proudly welcomed over 350 "Run For The Wall" motorcycle riders Monday morning as they traveled I-70 Eastbound through Kansas City enroute from California to Washington, D.C. This year marks the 22nd Annual Ride in recognition of ALL Veterans, active duty men and women and those who gave the supreme sacrifice in service to their country. The RFTW mission is:

To promote healing among ALL veterans and their families and friends,
To call for an accounting of all Prisoners of War and those Missing In Action
To honor the memory of those Killed in Action from all wars, and
To support our military personnel all over the world.

Their motto is We Ride For Those Who Can't and this year's run began May 19th in Rancho Cucamonga, California. Riders will reach the nation's capital on Memorial Day Sunday, May 30th and unite there with riders from all across the country to form Rolling Thunder XXIII, a Welcome Home and WE HAVE NOT FORGOTTEN Parade from the Pentagon to the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial - THE WALL.

For more information visit, RFTW.org.

National Public Works Week - May 16-22, 2010

Posted by Nancy Powell,
Traffic Management Center Supervisor

This week marks a 50 year milestone for professionals in our industry. By unanimous consent, the U.S. Senate designated the week of May 16th through 22nd as National Public Works Week, to recognize the men and women throughout the country who provide and maintain the infrastructure and services known as "public works." Transportation is one component of this collective group, celebrating 50 years of organizational achievement in services provided to communities throughout the nation.

On Tuesday, over 500 metropolitan area professionals gathered at the Hyatt Regency to recognize outstanding achievements among the members of the Kansas City Metro Chapter of APWA (American Public Works Association). KC Scout was honored to receive a National Award of Exceptional Performance in Journalism for its Public Relations campaign to promote the November 2009 launch of Ramp Metering in the metro area. The campaign, entitled "Maximizing The Flow" also received a Chapter Award for Technical Innovation. In addition, William "Rusty" James was honored as Chapter Professional Manager of the Year for Public Works/Emergency Management in recognition of his role as KC Scout Incident Management Coordinator and for his tireless efforts to achieve a renewed "One Accord Agreement" between more than 50 area law enforcement agencies and partners. As a result of this effort, there is greater cooperation among agencies sharing a common goal of quickly clearing roadway incidents to ease congestion and provide for the safety of first responders.

MoDOT was also recognized as a National Award Winner in the category of Diversity Exemplary Practices, for its innovative CDL (Commercial Drivers License) and Job Awareness Training program. This initiative, undertaken in partnership with several area faith-based organizations, was designed to help unemployed workers train to obtain a CDL, a requirement for many public works positions. The "Call To Oneness" campaign also offered coaching and mentoring in interviewing and life success skills. As a result, over 75 positions were filled in the metropolitan area, providing stimulus and economic gain for those workers and benefitting the citizens they now serve in their respective organizations.

Speaking as one of you, I salute all fellow public works employees in the Greater Kansas City area for the work you do to make our community truly one of the most livable cities in America. Congratulations!