Rumble strips installed at intersection to US36

Consistent pressure by locals helped get standard KDOT procedure modified

Rumble strips were installed on Highway 148 on both the north and south approaches to Highway 36 near the Pony Express corner, south of Hanover, recently. There are sets of three strips each to the north and south, serving as roadway-based alerts about the upcoming intersection, which has been the site of multiple crashes over the years and two fatality accidents since May 2021. Those accidents were attributed to “failure to stop and inattentive driving.”

State Representative Lisa Moser credited consistent pressure from local citizens concerned about the safety of the intersection with getting the rumble strips installed.

After the May 2021 accident, Moser, Senator Elaine Bowers and many locals alerted the Kansas Department of Transportation about the need for rumble strips, but crash analysis conducted by KDOT only recommended changes to the signage and striping of the intersection and did not call for rumble strips.

This response was not what locals wanted, however, and Moser said she and Bowers were able to serve as conduits for concerned citizens to get their concerns voiced to KDOT.

“KDOT took them serious and studied the situation,” said Moser.

She said locals were not satisfied with the original changes made to the intersection, and eventually, KDOT decided to break from their standard procedure and rumble strips were installed. She appreciated KDOT’s attentiveness to the situation and getting the rumble strips installed was the icing on the cake. She doesn’t think it would’ve happened without the consistent input and requests from citizens.

Sen. Bowers said this was a great example of a team effort between legislators and constituents to get things done at the state level.

When constituents contact legislators, they have agency liaisons with whom they can work through issues. It also serves to personalize the discussions.

“We can send the heartfelt comments directly to the state people, in our constituents’ words, from home,” said Bowers. She said these comments get to people who are in a position to make a decision at the agency.

The modifications made at the intersection are likely an example of this concept. The change of direction for KDOT came around a couple weeks ago. The effort was explained by Calvin Reed, the senior director of the Division of Engineering and Design for KDOT, who provided an update to Sen.

Bowers and Rep. Moser.

According to his letter, KDOT traffic engineering staff performed a study, including crash analysis, which was finalized in February 2022. The study reviewed all crashes at this intersection that had occurred in the five years prior to the study.

That study recommended updating signing and striping as a countermeasure for the median crashes. Those changes were implemented this spring.

Another fatality crash occurred in September and Reed said a follow-up crash analysis was performed by KDOT staff. That information was reviewed against KDOT’s existing guidelines for installing “transverse rumble strips,” which had been requested by locals. The study recommended a general upgrade to signing and striping at the intersection, but also recommended upgrades to signage beyond the standard. These improvements were made in October 2022.

The study found the site did not meet KDOT’s guidelines for rumble strips. “However, upon review of the crash data and the current guidelines, [Reed] asked that transverse rumble strips be installed” and the decision was supported by Deputy Secretary/State Transportation Engineer Burt Morey.

The rumble strips were installed early last week.

Comprehensive review planned

Reed added that KDOT would be proceeding with a review of current intersection crash countermeasure policies and guidelines, including research which would help guide the development of a comprehensive policy for intersection crash countermeasures. The research would be performed by KU and/or K-State with results expected in 12-18 months.

Moser said KDOT was very cordial working with her as she kept expressing concerns and she was very proud of the locals who stayed with the cause.

“People who live around there feel like the intersection really needed rumble strips,” said Moser. She said their concern was not just for local traffic or people who live there, it was also for the safety of people who live out of the area but travel those roads, which she appreciated.

A comprehensive review of KDOT’s guidelines would impact all travelers, wherever they live or travel in Kansas.

The May 9, 2021, accident was a result of a Colorado woman who failed to yield and crashed into a vehicle being driven by a Missouri woman, who died.

On Sept. 21, 2022, a Manhattan woman died when she failed to yield and was hit by a vehicle driven by a Wyoming man.

Citizens voices

Citizens making their voices heard can make a difference. Bowers said the approval of rumble strips showed how important was to never give up on a concern.

“Initially, we were told there would be no rumble strips, but KDOT changed their policy under the unique circumstances at the intersection,” said Bowers.

Moser agreed.

“Initially what KDOT did with bigger signs, tape, moving white line – that wasn’t enough and people kept saying it,” said Moser. “It was their voice that made it happen.”

Moser did say it was a neat experience to be part of this process, and claimed topics like this as one of the perks of her job as a state legislator.

“I’m happy to be the voice of the locals in this case,” said Moser. “I possess no special powers, just the ability in my legislative role to get the peoples’ voices heard. It’s one of the very best things about this job.”

KDOT willing to modify procedure

Joel Skelley, Director of Policy for KDOT, said the effort was a great example of both improving a roadway to keep drivers more alert and KDOT’s willingness to reevaluate their policies to make sure they still serve Kansas as well as they should.

“In the past, this intersection would not have qualified for rumble strips,” said Skelley in an email to Moser and Bowers. “However, a upon closer review, it became clear that our policy had some limitations, particularly, in how quickly it can account for and evaluate changing traffic volumes and/or crashes. Both of those factors played a role in our decision to recommend transverse rumble strips for this location.”