KC Scout Shout!

KC Scout's field ITS is always improving thanks to our team of ITS experts and consultants! Over the winter, construction activity started across the KC Scout system on both the Kansas and Missouri sides of the state line.  The primary focus for these KDOT and MoDOT ITS construction projects is to upgrade the existing telecommunications cabinets throughout the region.   "These telecom cabinets house sensitive Cisco equipment that powers Scout’s fiber optic network and enables the millisecond control of our ITS devices such as CCTV cameras, traffic sensors, and dynamic message sign boards," explains KC Scout Project Manager Mark Sommerhauser. According to Sommerhauser, new emergency backup battery systems are being installed in these sensitive Cisco backbone cabinets.  On the Missouri side, new air conditioner units are being installed so the cabinets can better handle the rigors of high summer temperatures.   The KDOT ITS construction project also includes additional prio

KHP Motorist Assist and MoDOT Emergency Response recently took members of MoDOT's Communications team on ride-alongs with their operators. The communications team is in the process of collecting video footage featuring all the facets of KC Scout and the ride-alongs presented a unique opportunity for the team to also experience bi-state incident management first hand.  "KC Scout is a bi-state traffic management system. Allowing our teammates the opportunity to train and learn alongside partners from both states makes us better team players and more knowledgeable in traffic incident management," explained KC Scout Manager Randy Johnson. Communications Specialists Lairyn McGregor and Katie Manzke (MoDOT) met up with Emergency Response Operator Torrey Canady on March 1. The team traveled around the Kansas City metro area on the Missouri side and responded to two incidents during that time.  The first incident was on behalf of Kansas City Police who requested extra protection

An unexpected bi-state and agency collaboration occurred in late February in the Kansas City metro. What started  as a normal rush hour suddenly turned into an incident  when temperatures dropped rapidly  and unexpectedly  and drizzle began to freeze.  According to Traffic Systems Supervisor, Kelly Alvarez, there was a crash along the Lewis and Clark viaduct resulting in a full closure of the westbound Interstate 70 lanes.  When fire and EMS responded to the incident, they became stuck due to the rapidly changing road conditions.  "There were patients in the EMS from the original incident that needed to go to the hospital.  Time was of the essence to clear the incident quickly," explained Alvarez.  In order to treat the roadways, KC Scout's Traffic Management Center (TMC) contacted MoDOT maintenance crews out of Jackson County. "We sent out crews to help treat the roadway for the EMS vehicles and other motorists but unfortunately before we arrived, temperatur

Smile! You're on camera.  Usually the KC Scout team is the eye in the sky, observing traveling motorists with more than 300 traffic cameras across the metro. Over the last few weeks, however, the KC Scout team has been the focus of the camera. The team is working on gathering video footage of each of the departments that make up KC Scout. The video footage will be used to create videos about the various facets of KC Scout to be used in presentations, TMC tours, and more. Check out a glimpse of the team work (and the fun!) here.