The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) has received two national awards for the quality of its efforts in work-zone safety and long-range planning.

These awards demonstrate MoDOT is helping keep motorists safer while driving on its highways and is on the right track planning the transportation system Missourians want, said Henry Hungerbeeler, MoDOT director.

2001 Midwest States Smart Work-Zone Deployment Initiative

MoDOT was honored for helping research and test new work-zone safety technology. A National Safety Award was presented by the Federal Highway Administration (FHA) to recognize outstanding safety programs and initiatives.

“I’m extremely proud of this team’s dedication to improving safety in highway work zones. Safety is MoDOT’s highest priority, and this recognition highlights our dedication to protecting motorists and workers,” said Hungerbeeler.

The multi-state public-private partnership, called the Midwest States Smart Work-Zone Deployment Initiative, encourages development of innovative work-zone devices and strategies to lessen work-zone congestion and increase safety. States working together also can lead to consistency in work-zone practices, which improves motorist safety, he said.

The team evaluated 26 work-zone devices to determine their effect on the safety and efficiency of traffic operations. These items included temporary orange rumble strips, which alert drivers to traffic situations by generating tire noise as vehicles pass over them, and a recorded CB-radio message warning truckers of work-zone locations.

The team reviewed improvements to changeable message signs to provide instant traffic information and alternate routes, and better warning signs, for flaggers to use during nighttime construction.

The public-private partnership includes the static transportation departments of Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska; the University of Missouri-Columbia, the FHA and the Mid-America Transportation Center.

Quality Team Achievement Award

The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) honored the MoDOT team that prepared the department’s Long-Range Transportation Direction (LRTD). The team received the Pathfinder Award, which recognizes groups that accomplish their missions through use of appropriate tools and techniques.

The LRTD establishes broad transportation goals and needs over the next 20 years. These are used in determining what projects are scheduled in the department’s five-year road and bridge construction program.

AASHTO cited the team’s organization skills, such as leadership, strategic planning, customer focus, public involvement, information and analysis and results. As part of data gathering for the LRTD, MoDOT conducted its largest-ever public-involvement effort. Missourians were asked what they considered important and what they expect from their transportation system. These expectations were balanced with engineering standards to establish the LRTD.

“Few things affect more people than transportation. A quality transportation system is vital to our safety, to our economic prosperity and to our overall quality of life,” Hungerbeeler said.

Missouri’s state highway system is the nation’s seventh largest, and the state ranks 46th in revenue per mile to take care of these roads.

For more information, call 573/751-2840 or visit www.modot.state.mo.us.

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