The Kansas Turnpike Authority is adding new technology to help semi truck drivers using service areas up and down the highway.
The KTA says it is launching a new parking system at all six service areas, including the Emporia facility at mile marker 132 and the Matfield Green stop at mile marker 97. The system involves cameras and sensors that start the process by classifying vehicles as passenger or commercial as they enter or depart a service area. The system also determines available truck parking space and pushes the information on its roadway signs. There are also wrong-way alerts included.
This also dovetails with similar work by the Kansas Department of Transportation on other highways across the state.
Separately, a study by RV Windshield Replacement says the Turnpike stretch from Emporia to Wichita is the most avoided highway in Kansas during the winter months, at least as based on a survey of over 3,000 drivers earlier this month. The survey effort used an online panel and worked to balance results across factors like age, gender and geographic region. In case you’re wondering about other avoided highways, the online report only mentions the single-most-avoided highways by state.
