Kansas City is experiencing a surge in traffic and bus delays due to the World Cup, but transportation planners see this as an opportunity to study and improve the city’s transportation networks. The Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) is gathering survey responses and collecting data from cars, buses, and navigation apps to guide major transportation decisions.

Understanding Traffic Patterns

Transportation planners hope that the results will help local governments build a more reliable road, bike, and transit network for the city’s growth. The study will focus on understanding how residents and tourists move around the city, including the use of buses, streetcars, and personal vehicles.

The KCATA is also participating in the study, with its chief strategy officer, Tyler Means, eager to see if the agency’s decision to run more buses during the World Cup results in increased ridership. The study will help cities, counties, and the transit agency identify bottlenecks and improve transportation infrastructure.

Future of Transportation in Kansas City

The World Cup has arrived in Kansas City at a challenging moment for the area’s transportation agency, with the KCATA preparing for massive cuts to bus services. However, leaders in Jackson County are considering a half-cent sales tax to fund public transportation, which could provide a stable funding source and slow the decline of the bus system.

The study’s findings could help the KCATA decide which bus routes would be most valuable to Kansas City residents. With the city’s growth and the potential for more large-scale events, the study’s results will be crucial in shaping the future of transportation in Kansas City.

Original reporting: The Beacon (Kansas City) — read the source article.