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The Transportation Operations Center (TOC) is a multi-functional center located within the Kentucky Transportation Office Building in Frankfort. Our mission is to collect and disseminate traffic and highway incident information through various media to the traveling public in the Commonwealth.

The TOC is a 24/7, 365 days a year operation. Our operators enter traffic incidents and construction information into the CARS computer system. (Conditions Acquisition Reporting System). This system updates our 511 web site and our 511 telephone system to enable travelers to check current highway conditions before they travel or while on the roadway. CARS, also provides up-to-date traffic and weather information to travelers who can use kiosks located at our Welcome Centers throughout the Commonwealth.

We monitor live video feeds from all areas of the state by means of regional traffic center cameras and cameras owned by the Transportation Cabinet. These video feeds include the areas of: Northern Kentucky, Louisville, Lexington, Bowling Green and London. Thirty five permanent variable message boards are located throughout the Commonwealth. These boards have the capability to inform travelers of incidents or construction, in their area, that may impede the flow of traffic. In many cases, messages may be posted to suggest alternate routes.

Weather watches and warnings are also monitored by the TOC. An e-mail notification system is set up to relay the pertinent watches and warnings to a large group of stakeholders around the Commonwealth. During snow and ice events, the Department of Highways representatives join us in the center to coordinate the snow and ice removal efforts.

Each state was mandated by the Office of Homeland Security to develop a Fusion Center which would bring together various disciplines in the same center. This center allows agencies to work together by analyzing and responding to various threatening situations that our Commonwealth may encounter. Our TOC has partnered to accomplish this with our Homeland Security Office, Kentucky State Police, Kentucky Vehicle Enforcement, FBI, ATF and the Kentucky National Guard. The TOC also partners daily with the Kentucky Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to disseminate information and address certain situations.

Dispatching duties for the SAFE patrol vehicles is a new project in the TOC. The SAFE patrol vehicles monitor our highways to help stranded motorists, remove debris, provide traffic control during emergencies and report highway hazards. After completion of the radio system, the TOC will have the capability to contact more than 200 district highway vehicles. Real time incident information, from the scene, will become available with the use of this system.