AMBER Alert Marks 10 Year Milestone

Posted by Nancy Powell
KC Scout TMC Supervisor



But sadly, not all AMBER Alerts have happy endings

 

Earlier this evening before posting this blog, Colorado authorities positively identified the dismembered body of missing 10 year old Jessica Ridgeway, who disappeared on her way to school in Westminster, CO last Wednesday, October 5th.  An AMBER Alert was issued that same day, but there was very little information available at that time.  Jessica's father and his family reside in Independence, MO and we extend our sincere sympathies on their tragic loss. 

This month marks the 10^th Anniversary of the DOJ mandate that all 50 states adopt the AMBER (America’s Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response) Alert system, which unofficially began in 1996 when Dallas-Fort Worth broadcasters teamed with local police to develop an early warning system to help find abducted children. That impromptu plan was created as a legacy to nine-year-old Amber Hagerman, who was kidnaped while riding her bicycle in Arlington, and then brutally murdered. Other states and communities soon set up their own AMBER plans as the idea was adopted across the nation. 

In October 2002, then President George W. Bush, directed Attorney General (and Missouri native) John Ashcroft to appoint an AMBER Alert Coordinator at the first-ever White House Conference on Missing, Exploited and Runaway Children.  Subsequently, the Prosecutorial Remedies and Other Tools to end the Exploitation of Children Today (PROTECT) Act, was signed on April 30, 2003, which strengthened law enforcement’s ability to prevent, investigate, prosecute, and punish violent crimes committed against children. The PROTECT Act codified the previously-established National AMBER Alert Coordinator role in the Department of Justice. 

According to the AMBER Alert website, 591 abducted children have been safely recovered since 1996.  Today all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands have AMBER Alert plans. 

The US Department of Transportation was an early supporter of the use of electronic roadway message devices for AMBER Alert notifications to the motoring public.  In August of 2002, the FHWA Office of Operations issued a Policy Memorandum to state DOTs detailing consistent criteria for using CMS/DMS (Changeable Message Signs/Dynamic Message Signs) to help recover abducted children that has proven successful across the country, both as a means of locating an abducted child and serving as a deterrent to those who may be considering such an act.  Furthermore, federal funding was made available to implement such programs at the state DOT level as early as February 2003.

KC Scout actively participates in the issuance of AMBER Alerts when the issuing agency is one of three distinct sources; The Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Kansas City Metro Squad or the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.  Local law enforcement agencies must coordinate with one of these three agencies in order for an AMBER Alert to be posted on Missouri and Kansas KC Scout message boards.  The intent of this policy is to assure that the information is vetted fully to avoid false or hoax notifications from persons engaged in custody battles or with an intent to distribute misinformation.

For more information, visit the AMBER Alert website at: (http://www.amberalert.gov/site_index.htm)



On A Very Sad Note

Posted by Nancy Powell
KC Scout Traffic Management Center Supervisor



 

"...When will they ever learn?..."

The line above is from the 1961 folk song by Pete Seeger entitled “Where Have All The Flowers Gone?”  It was originally penned as a rhetorical meditation on death that has since been re-recorded in various genres dozens of times over the past 50 years.  It stood as an anthem against the loss of young soldiers during the Vietnam era, and now, half a century later, the message is still one of senseless loss among other heroes of these modern times.  MoDOT and the KC Scout family continue to grieve the devastating loss of Mr. Clifton Scott, a 15 year Department veteran and beloved colleague who died after being struck on I-70 early on the morning of September 21^st as he was assisting first responders on the scene of an earlier accident.  His life was taken in an instant by a driver who chose to get behind the wheel of a car with a blood alcohol level twice the legal limit.   The emphasis is on the word “chose” because that driver had other choices that night.  He could have called a cab or a family member but instead he chose to exercise his right to poor judgment and will have to live the remainder of his life with the consequences of his actions.  Clifton Scott’s 15 year old son, Clifton, Jr. will live the remainder of his life without the companionship and love of an adoring father. 

But one senseless death was apparently not enough to make others choose more wisely.  On September 29^th, the day that Mr. Scott was laid to rest, a 41 year old man from Kansas City was struck and killed while he stood outside his broken down minivan on I-35 in Johnson County by an inattentive driver who also struck a second pedestrian at the scene, before running away from the wreckage.  And it gets worse.  On Monday, October 1^st a 54 year old woman died in a crash at 40 Hwy and I-70 involving a semi tractor trailer that turned left in front of her vehicle.  Drunk driving, distracted driving, it has many names.  But it has one common characteristic – it can be avoided.  It is a simple choice. 

“When will they ever learn?”  Let that day be today.  MOVE OVER and SLOW DOWN for Emergency Vehicles, including MoDOT and Tow vehicles on the roadway.  DON’T TEXT AND DRIVE!!  No message is worth losing your life or taking another’s.  DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE!! Use good judgment instead of standing in judgment for a bad decision that can never be undone.  The choice belongs to everyone.

http://www.modot.mo.gov/kansascity/connections_kansascity.htm

“Where have all the flowers gone?  Gone to young men everyone.”

Rest In Peace,

Clifton Scott

Sept. 25, 1961 – Sept. 21, 2012

 

 

Attired for Success

Posted by Nancy Powell, Scout Traffic Management Center Supervisor

Like most organizations, KC Scout adopted a business casual dress code for its Traffic Systems Operators.  Their jobs are not glamourous, but they do work with the latest technology in a modern Transportation Management Center and the work they perform helps keep motorists and the general public informed of traffic related incidents on our major highways and interstates.

Recently two of Scout's midday Operators, decided to raise the notch and dress for success on Tuesdays in a new tradition that has become known as "Tie Tuesday."  Last Tuesday they doubled their efforts in honor of a co-worker's 50th birthday!  Doubtful this will catch on but it's nice to see men attired in business suits on occasion!

Scout salutes David and Ronnie, two distinctively sartorial individuals!

David Peterlin and Ronald Fellers

 

 

Scout Integrating Weather With Traffic Management

Posted by Nancy Powell

KC Scout TMC Systems Supervisor

In 2009, KC Scout was selected to participate in a national study by the Federal Highway Administration. This opportunity was designed to help Traffic Man­agement Centers identify current levels of weather integration and determine a strategy for expanding the role that weather plays in roadway management and congestion reduction. In 2010, an Implementation Plan was developed based on six high level needs that had been identified to achieve Scout’s goal to include weather into the Traffic Management Center advisory and control efforts. In 2011, the plan was used and includes six target goals: • Disseminate weather information to a larger set of stakeholders and users in the region • Provide better enroute information on weather conditions to aid travelers in decision making • Develop and implement clear, written policies and procedures for handling weather events • Improve the timeliness of weather management response including deployment of field personnel and equipment • Assist in interpreting weather information and how best to adjust operations in light of that information • Provide better real-time information on road conditions during weather events To date, Scout has integrated a direct National Weather Service feed of severe weather advisories and warnings into its software system to automatically alert operators when an event is forecasted. This “push to the desktop” integration relieves the operators from having to maintain separate Internet Explorer windows for reactive tracking of changing weather conditions. Weather events can now be monitored and updated with the same level of effort as any traffic or road­work incident. DMS message boards can be activated in a timely manner and are structured within a messaging hierarchy that allows incident information to take precedence when necessary, with an automatic return to the weather advisory message once that incident has cleared. In addition, Scout can now track and measure impacts of weather messaging on a real-time basis to determine if advisory messages are being heeded by the motoring public and altering driving behavior to reduce collisions, slide-offs and other preventable traffic impacts. Having weather integrated into Scout’s operational plan is another way of utilizing technology to keep the motoring public safe and informed while reducing the impact of deteriorating road conditions during severe weather events.

Timely Tips for Driving On Ice

Posted by Nancy Powell
Scout Traffic Management Center Supervisor

Blessed are we in KC for the fabulous weather we’ve been enjoying this fall season. Temperatures in the 70’s at mid-November are worth noting. With Thanksgiving behind us, the threat of severe weather arriving in the Metro is a likely possibility before long.

Use these waning days of November to prepare for the treacherous driving days ahead when temperatures at or barely below 32 degrees can cause a thin layer of water on the roadway to quickly become dangerously icy and slick. Make a quick review of your vehicle’s Owner’s Manual. Not all vehicles operate the same under adverse conditions. Always allow extra distance of at least 3 car lengths between the vehicle in front of you to permit safe stops when roads are icy or slick.

Vehicles equipped with Anti-Lock Braking Systems (ABS) require steady pressure to the brake pedal during the entire stop. Never manually pump ABS brakes yourself. Vehicles can be steered out of a skid by slowly removing your foot from the accelerator, until traction control occurs, then slowly turn the steering wheel in the direction you want your front wheels to go. Do not attempt to apply brakes.

When driving uphill on ice, choose a path that will allow optimum traction. Monitor the vehicles in front of you and avoid areas where they spin out or slide backward. Traction is also enhanced by maintaining adequate tire pressure. During icy weather conditions, drive slowly, turn slowly and brake slowly. Avoid sudden changes that can create loss of control.

Prepare an emergency kit for your vehicle, stocked with battery jumper cables, first aid supplies, blankets and extra outer wear, flashlight, shovel and basic hand tools. A fully charged cell phone is a lifesaver in an emergency; just don’t use it to text while driving. No message you could possibly send or receive is that urgent that it can’t wait until you’ve safely navigated the road and are not a hazard to yourself or others. Check out this MoDOT youtube.com video clip for a quick winter driving refresher. It may be the 90 seconds that saves a life this winter season!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZP88bGjmYc&feature=youtu.be>

Season’s Greetings from your friends at KC Scout!

Scout Manager Honored by KC Chamber of Commerce

Posted by Nancy Powell
Kansas City Scout TMC Supervisor

E. Jason Sims, Manager of Kansas City Scout was honored this week by the Kansas City Chamber of Commerce as one of five Inaugural Ace Award recipients chosen from a field of 50 nominees. The award honors culturally diverse mid-to-senior level managers who have demonstrated excellence in leadership by exceeding their organization’s expectations in the areas of fiscal responsibility and innovation while promoting a culturally diverse workforce that reflects the customers, communities and cultures they serve. The award was presented to Mr. Sims, April 12, 2011 at the inaugural 2011 Ace Award Breakfast Ceremony held at the Hyatt Regency Crown Center in Kansas City, Missouri.

Under Mr. Sims’ management, Kansas City Scout embodies both the Missouri and Kansas Departments of Transportation core values of workplace diversity. Scout is dedicated to providing a world class transportation experience and making a significant impact on the lives of those who use and support transportation.



The other honorees included Vaibhaviben Thaker of St. Luke’s Northland Hospital, Kevin Evans of the KCMO Parks and Recreation Department, Liping Liu of Deloitte Tax LLP and William Fulbright of Ameristar Casino Hotel Kansas City.

The uniquely individual awards were designed by local artist Nicole Emanuel to reflect each honoree and their respective organizations.

Photos courtesy of Celeste Burks, Ameristar Casino Hotel

Driver Removal Laws

Posted by Nancy Powell
Kansas City Scout TMC Supervisor

Springtime is fast approaching and with it, added roadway congestion due to many construction and roadway improvement projects. With lanes already restricted, the impact of stalls and accidents is magnified. Both Missouri and Kansas have enacted laws to lessen the problem, by requiring drivers to remove vehicles obstructing the regular flow of traffic on the roadway, following non-injury accidents.

The Missouri statute, enacted in 1998 reads as follows: “Except in the case of an accident resulting in the injury or death of any person, the driver of a vehicle which for any reason obstructs the regular flow of traffic on the roadway of any state highway shall make every reasonable effort to move the vehicle or have it moved so as not to block the regular flow of traffic.” (RSMo 304.151).

Kansas adopted HB2147 on March 18, 2009, which states: “Except in the case of an accident involving death or apparent injury of any person, or the transportation of hazardous material, the owner or driver of a vehicle which obstructs the regular flow of traffic on any interstate highway, U.S. highway, or any multilane or divided roadway, shall make every reasonable effort to move the vehicle from the roadway, if, moving the vehicle may be done safely, does not require towing and may be operated under its own power without further damage to the vehicle or the roadway and without endangering other vehicles or persons upon the roadway.”

Law enforcement public awareness campaigns in the past have referred to this as “Steer It or Clear It,” encouraging drivers to move vehicles following non-injury accidents, whenever possible. Failure to do so may result in a citation. Secondary collisions are not uncommon and often involve injuries and greater property damage.

Drivers remaining in a travel lane following a non-injury accident put themselves, as well as approaching motorists and emergency responders at increased risk. Many drivers are initially reluctant to move their vehicles following a minor incident, assuming or having been taught that vehicles must not be moved until law enforcement officers arrive on scene to properly assess responsibility. Drivers may also falsely believe that insurance companies will deny a claim for damages if the vehicles are moved.

Being informed of driver removal laws benefits everyone, but only if people are aware that these laws exist. For more information, visit the FHWA section on this topic at: http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/fhwahop09005/driv_removal.htm