Neil Kornis – Scout Senior TMC Operator and Eyes on the Road

One April 25, KC Scout was hit with a cyberattack that shut down all cameras and communication to the roadways. Without their normal resources, the Scout team quickly pivoted to using alternative means to continue providing traffic incident management services. Without cameras, the TMC relied on getting accurate lane closure information from first responders including KHP MAV and MoDOT Emergency Response. After further coordination efforts, it was decided that KHP Scout Senior TMC Operator Neil Kornis would assist with KHP MAV in the field for the further facilitation between KC Scout and KHP.

“The opportunity to sit alongside with a MAV and witness them doing their job while also discussing how we could do a better job as a team couldn’t be passed up,” Kornis said.

During this time, not only did Kornis act as another point of communication between Scout and MAV, but he also used this time to evaluate ways the teams could improve.

 “I used the time to put myself in the MAV’s shoes and be a voice for Scout,” Kornis said, “With Scout not having the direct communication with the MAV’s we sometimes have gaps or misunderstandings about why things are happening.”

Working with MAV allowed Kornis to connect those gaps that at times Scout didn’t understand.

After just one week of Kornis working with the Kansas Highway Patrol and MAV, he gained an abundance of knowledge that will help improve KC Scout even after the cameras are turned back on.

 “Having this opportunity to talk about how we can both improve between KC Scout and KHP/MAV was educational and an opportunity not missed,” Kornis said.