LEE’S SUMMIT, Mo.- The Kansas and Missouri departments of transportation will began operating the Kansas City Scout traffic management system Monday, Jan.12.
Scout is a congestion-management and traveler-information system designed to provide freeway travelers the latest in technology and communication to help make their drive safer, faster and more manageable. The system's elements include traffic sensors, closed-circuit video cameras, electronic message boards, and a highway advisory radio system.
Traffic information from those elements will feed into Scout's operations center located in Lee's Summit. Operators will monitor traffic on 75 miles of Kansas City's most congested freeways, including portions of interstates 435, 35, 70, 470, and 670 and portions of US 69 and K-10 in Kansas as well as highways 71 and 169, and Route 9 on the Missouri side. They will respond to freeway incidents by notifying proper authorities to clear the roadway and keep traffic flowing as freely as possible.
The recently completed project is still undergoing technical adjustments, but Scout staff intends to operate the system while addressing minor issues inherent in operating highly sophisticated technologies. During Scout's initial test phase, the system will operate Monday through Friday, 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Within the next several weeks, Scout's public web site www.kcscout.net will undergo major changes to allow visitors to retrieve real-time traffic information including average traffic speeds, active traveler messages, and traffic snapshots updated every 30-60 seconds.
The installation of the Scout system began in September 2001 with a December 2003 scheduled completion.
