The Missouri and Kansas Departments of Transportation are working together on an ambitious high-tech traffic management system.

Kansas City Scout will be employed throughout the Kansas City metropolitan area. It will use intelligent transportation technology, including traffic cameras, changeable message signs, highway advisory radio and vehicle detection stations, on more than 50 miles of selected freeways.
The information will be fed by fiber optic cable to a 6,000-square-foot traffic operations center in Lee's Summit, Mo. Cameras will let coordinators know what's causing slowdowns, and the appropriate agencies can then be contacted. Drivers will be alerted to traffic problems by message boards and radio.
Construction is expected to begin in September. Eventually the system is expected to include more than 200 miles of highway.