KDOT Hopes Purple Pavement Will Enhance Safety

October 21, 2008

By John Boyd

The Kansas Department of Transportation hopes purple-colored pavement will help make roads safer near Minneola. KDOT is taking part in a research project that includes installling purple pavement on US-283 at the north and south ends of Minneola beginning October 29th.

Map of Minneola

The purple pavement is achieved using a product called Tyregrip over the existing pavement. According to the manufacturer, Ennis Paint, Inc., the pavement, provides traffic calming by alerting drivers to upcoming changes far enough in advance to aid driver decision-making.

More on Tyregrip

The manufacturer also claims that the material has skid resistant characteristics which enhance safety. KDOT says the research project is designed to assess the safety benefits of this material.

The pavement is available in a variety of colors. KDOT says it chose purple since the colors of the Minneola Wildcats are purple and gold. The purple pavement will be placed on 100-foot sections of the lanes approaching Minneola on US-283 from the north and from the south.

Traffic will be reduced to one lane during the process, with traffic controlled by flaggers. The work should be completed in one day, weather permitting.

|

|

|