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Engineer scholarship recipients - Daniel, Anna, and Luke from Highway District 4 on a jobsite
SPARKS Celebrates 1 Year!
We are thrilled to have you on this exciting journey to launch what we hope has been an engaging and valuable source of information for you. Our newsletter highlights the work of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s engineering outreach program and much more!
At the heart of our engineering outreach initiative lies the KEEN program—an acronym that stands for Kentucky Engineering Exposure Network. When established in 1990, KEEN primarily focused on honing the public speaking skills of young engineers and preparing them for various crucial engagements, like public meetings.
However, the program's results were extremely impactful and the focus expanded. Many of our current engineers were once students in a classroom where an engineer sparked an interest in the field of engineering through hands-on activities. These students were inspired and grew up to become a vital part of the transportation network that keeps Kentucky moving and thriving. Many of them now give back by volunteering their time to inspire the next generation of engineers.
We warmly extend an invitation to you to host a KEEN program in your classrooms, camps, career fairs, youth groups, or events. Together, let us ignite the passion for engineering, and foster a legacy of innovation and progress that will continue to propel Kentucky forward.
Engineer Stephanie Stoops inspects Ledbetter Bridge in District 1. Photo by Marcella Kennedy
Cool Things Civil Engineers Do
By Kyle McMahon
What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of a Civil Engineer? For most people, it's someone in a hard hat giving instructions or inspecting something on a construction site for a major project. While this is one of the primary activities of a Civil Engineer, it only scratches the surface of what you can do in this field. Civil engineers are problem solvers who identify issues and devise solutions with minimal resources.
If you enjoy exploring, building, and problem solving, you might like engineering. Bridge engineers have the opportunity to visit places that are inaccessible to the general public. They inspect every aspect of a bridge, including climbing to the top, sides, and underneath. Some specialized bridge engineers even dive to the bottom of rivers or bodies of water to assess how the bridge piers are faring underwater.
Photo by by John Loftus of Marine-Solutions
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If you have a inclination for creating something out of nothing, engineering may be a career option. Perhaps you would be interested in becoming a planning or design engineer. Planning engineers continually study their regional area, seeking ways to improve public transportation from point A to point B in a safe and efficient manner. Once the planning engineer has an idea, it is passed on to the design engineers, who utilize their engineering and computer skills to turn the idea into reality.
Engineer Erik Lauer demonstrates bridge engineering principles for a classroom activity.
Do you enjoy solving puzzles? Consider a career as a traffic engineer. Traffic engineering is akin to solving a puzzle, as the traffic at one signalized intersection will impact and be impacted by nearby signalized intersections. Traffic engineers use math and problem-solving skills to program different signalized intersections to work together, ensuring the smooth flow of traffic during critical times, such as rush hour. |
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Depending on your interests, civil engineering offers a wide range of opportunities. If you prefer working outdoors, you might consider construction or a role as a traffic engineer. If you don't mind working indoors and enjoy creating something from nothing or solving puzzles, civil engineering has something for you. Overall, civil engineers engage in a multitude of fascinating and fulfilling activities. If you wish to share this message, get in touch with the Kentucky Engineering Exposure Network (KEEN) to arrange a visit to your class.
 Graves Road Roundabout
Engineers create new road configurations that reduce crashes and create a safer environment for drivers, pedestrians, and the surrounding community. One such configuration is the roundabout.
A roundabout is a one-way circular intersection where traffic moves counterclockwise around a center island. Roundabouts operate without traffic signals or stop signs, enabling continuous traffic flow and increased vehicle capacity.
Intersections account for approximately 45% of all crashes nationwide. Enhancing vehicle flow at these junctures is critical to reducing the risk of overall crashes. Roundabouts are a proven safety countermeasure for achieving this goal. In communities where roundabouts have replaced traditional intersections, crash statistics demonstrate dramatic drops, including a:
37% reduction in all crashes
90% reduction in fatal crashes
75% reduction in injury crashes
40% reduction in pedestrian injuries
 When considering the construction of a roundabout at an intersection, engineers must address several questions:
Does the traffic volume warrant a roundabout?
What design considerations are necessary?
What safety measures should be included in the design?
How fast are drivers approaching the intersection?
How will it impact surrounding infrastructure?
Roundabouts are just one of several solutions to maintain smooth traffic flow. Engineers analyze traffic, crash data, and the location to determine the best intersection configuration for creating safer streets.
Schedule a classroom visit with our new class about road configurations.
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