By Trish Svoboda
Today, May 21, Governor Laura Kelly declared that the Kansas Department of Transportation’s Innovative Technology Program will grant $3.5 million to 13 initiatives. This program invests in enhancing safety, access, and mobility and in implementing new transportation technology.
All types of transportation projects are eligible for this funding. The current round of technology upgrades includes improvements in aviation and rail, traffic engineering, school zone enhancements, and expansion of the CDL program with truck simulators.
Each recipient will contribute a minimum of 25% local match to the state funding, leading to a total investment of over $5.3 million in innovative technology. This program is a component of the bipartisan 10-year, $10 billion Eisenhower Legacy Transportation Program, also known as IKE, under the Kelly administration.
| KDOT – Awarded Innovative Technology Projects | |||
| Project Name | Applicant Organization | County | KDOT funds |
| Advanced UAS Flight Operations and Simulation Center | Kansas State University – Salina | Saline | $1,000,000 |
| Rail Freight Bulk Scale | Bestifor | Republic | $959,925 |
| Clean-Agent Fire Suppression System | Salina Regional Airport | Saline | $900,000 |
| Truck Simulators for CDL Program Expansion | Seward County Community College | Seward | $335,625 |
| Safety View Software Application | City of Overland Park | Johnson | $131,249 |
| Traffic Signal Battery Back-Ups | City of Great Bend | Barton | $58,802 |
| El Dorado Street Condition Assessment with AI | City of El Dorado | Butler | $52,500 |
| Replace School Crossing Lights and Signage | City of Rossville | Shawnee | $21,000 |
| Noninvasive Barrier Repair Lightweight System | Kansas State University | Riley | $18,682 |
| Jet Plain Road Runner Road Grader Trailer | Greeley County | Greeley | $14,437 |
| Digital Speed Sign | City of Olsburg | Pottawatomie | $7,500 |
| Radar Speed Sign | City of Valley Falls | Jefferson | $6,217 |
| School Zone Sign Enhancement | Pottawatomie County | Pottawatomie | $6,000 |
| Total: $3,511,937 | |||
