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September 15, 2016
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MoDOT seeks proposals for 'Smart Highways'

As a part of its "Road to Tomorrow" initiative, the Missouri Department of Transportation is seeking proposals for a pilot project to incorporate innovative technology into a Missouri roadway that potentially could generate new revenue streams for transportation.

The project will evaluate if "smart pavement" can make roads sustainably self-funded by providing value-added wireless services to support mobile connectivity and next-generation electric, connected and autonomous vehicles.

"We want to see if interstate travelways can become a platform to generate revenue through the collection and transmission of technology and data services," Road to Tomorrow Team Lead Tom Blair said.

Proposals are due October 31, 2016, and MoDOT hopes to select a best-value proposer in early 2017.

MoDOT's "Road to Tomorrow" initiative aims to develop public-private partnerships to look at new and innovative ways to fund Missouri's transportation infrastructure. Another pilot project to evaluate "solar roadways" begins before snow flies at the Conway Welcome Center on Interstate 44.

MoDOT's Kansas City District will lead the effort. For more information, contact Kansas City Assistant District Engineer Brian Kidwell at 816-607-2282 or brian.kidwell@modot.mo.gov.

The Request for Proposals may be found on the MoDOT website at Requests.
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Safer Roadways
National child passenger safety week is September 18-24
It's more than just a law

Is your child in the right safety seat? The Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety wants to ensure all caregivers of young children know the importance of buckling children in an appropriate child restraint.

In 2015, four children were killed and 61 suffered injuries as occupants in motor vehicle crashes in Missouri. Thirteen percent of these children killed or seriously injured were not restrained in a car seat or safety belt.

Missouri law requires all children under eight to be in an appropriate child safety seat or booster seat, unless:
  • They are at least 80 pounds; or
  • They are at least 4'9" tall.
Motorists can expect increased enforcement of Missouri's child seat safety laws throughout this campaign.

"The goal is to make sure all parents and caregivers are correctly securing all children in the right car restraints for their age and size," said Bill Whitfield, chair of the executive committee for the coalition. "Safety seats prevent serious injuries and could save your child's life.

Child safety seat technicians will provide education and car seat inspections at locations across the states. In central Missouri, you can participate in the Roll & Read event at Ellis-Porter Riverside Park on Saturday, Sept. 24 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. A Car-Seat-Check will also be conducted by the Jefferson City Fire Department at the event. A list of car seat inspection stations and locations across the state can be found at seatcheck.org. Appointments may be necessary.

Also, remember that car seats also have expiration dates. Due to the extreme heat and cold that they're subject to, they can break down over time. Used car seats can also be dangerous, especially if you don't know the seat's history.

"We urge everyone to get their child safety seats inspected," said Whitfield. "When it comes to the safety of a child, there is no room for mistakes."

For more information on Child Passenger Safety Week, visit saveMOlives.com. You can also follow Save MO Lives on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram.
Have You Seen This?
Youth art competition to illustrate aviation beyond the clouds
Art teachers encouraged to participate in this free event

A previous winning entry by Cassie Wang, New Jersey, 10 to 13 years old category.
Calling all aspiring Missouri art students. Get out your art supplies and create artwork illustrating the theme "Beyond the Clouds" for the 2017 International Aviation Art Contest. This free art competition is available to all Missouri students ages 6 to 17.

Student artists can create drawings illustrating the wonder of what the aviation world can see above the clouds. The U.S. portion of the art contest is sanctioned by the National Aeronautic Association (NAA), managed by the NASAO Center for Aviation Research and Education and sponsored by many other national aviation organizations.

All artwork must be done by hand and can be in any of the following media: watercolor, acrylic, oil paint, indelible marker pens, felt-tip pens, soft ball-point pens, indelible ink, Crayola or any similar indelible medium. Entries are judged in three age classes for creative use of the theme "Beyond the Clouds". Entries from Missouri youth will be evaluated by Missouri Department of Transportation employees. The winners will advance to national and possibly international levels of the contest.

All artwork for the state competition must be postmarked and received by Friday, Jan. 20, 2017. Missouri students submitting artwork should mail them to the Missouri Department of Transportation, Attn: Teresa Hall, PO Box 270, Jefferson City, MO 65102. For more information, call (573) 751-2589, send an email to s.hall@modot.mo.gov or visit the national sponsor's site, 
This is rail safety week in Missouri
Public cautioned to "see tracks? think train!"

MoDOT, Missouri State Highway Patrol and Missouri Operation Lifesaver, along with local law enforcement and railroad companies, have partnered together to raise public awareness about the dangers of disregarding railroad crossing laws and trespassing on railroad property.

"Collisions between vehicles or pedestrians and trains are preventable," said Missouri Operation Lifesaver Executive Director Tim Hull. "Missouri law enforcement agencies and railroad special agents will be out monitoring railroad crossings during Missouri Rail Safety Week. We are hoping to change the public's mindset regarding rail safety. Rail Safety Week is a great opportunity to get our message out there!"

Since July 4, Missouri Operation Lifesaver has aired radio messages across the state to stress the fact that it is "no contest" to try to beat a train or even to share a walkway with trains. These ads focus on the safety campaign theme of "See Tracks? Think Train!" Enforcement events are scheduled to deter violations of crossing safety laws and to curb trespassing on the railroad tracks.

"We are constantly striving to reduce crashes and eliminate deaths and injuries with both crossing collisions and trespasser incidents," said Missouri State Highway Patrol Public Information and Education Director Captain John Hotz. "We encourage everyone to take these warning devices seriously and pay attention at all railroad crossings. Also please remember railroad tracks are private property, and trespassing is dangerous and illegal."

In 2015, there were 62 crossing crashes and trespass incidents resulting in 23 fatalities and 26 injuries in the state of Missouri.

"MoDOT works with the railroads to upgrade public crossings with lights and gates, LED lights and more reflective signing. With our limited funding, we do 25 to 30 signal upgrades per year," said Missouri Department of Transportation Railroad Administrator Eric Curtit. "MoDOT continues to work with local communities and railroads to reduce the number of railroad crossings to improve safety. A closed crossing is the safest crossing."

Missouri Operation Lifesaver is a non-profit organization dedicated to eliminating collisions, deaths and injuries at highway-rail grade intersections and on railroad rights of way through public education, engineering and enforcement. To learn more about Missouri Operation Lifesaver, please visit www.oli.org.
Missouri Dept. of Transportation | (888) 275-6636
P.O. Box 270 Jefferson City, MO 65102-0270