Write Up:

Traffic incidents are unplanned events that block travel lanes and temporarily reduce roadway capacity. Responding promptly to crashes, debris, and stalled vehicles improves system performance, so quick clearance is essential for restoring normal traffic flow.

In the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2026, St. Louis reported 2,997 traffic incidents with an average clearance time of 26.1 minutes, representing a 1% decrease in incidents and a 1.1% decrease (improvement) in clearance time compared to the fourth quarter of FY 2025.

Kansas City had 1,553 incidents averaging 34.8 minutes, reflecting a 4.1% decrease in incidents and a 13% increase in clearance time.

Springfield reported 629 incidents with an average clearance time of 32.4 minutes, an 11.3% increase in incidents and a 9.5% increase in clearance time.

Rural counties along Interstate 70 between MM 28 (Oak Grove) and MM 203 (Foristell) recorded 119 incidents, averaging 87.4 minutes, a 230.6% increase in incidents but a 10% decrease in clearance time. The additional incidents were attributed to a higher number of minor events lasting less than 30 minutes.

Rural counties along Interstate 44 between MM 0 (Oklahoma) and MM 69 (Springfield), as well as between MM 91 (Strafford) and MM 224 (Sullivan), had 82 incidents averaging 60.7 minutes, a 17.2% decrease in incidents and a 49.9% increase in clearance time.

Overall, the combined measured areas saw a modest 3.1% increase in traffic incidents and a 7.6% increase in clearance times, according to MoDOT’s Advanced Traffic Management Systems.

For the fourth quarter of FY 2026, St. Louis met its targeted clearance times. Kansas City and Springfield did not meet their time-to-clear targets; however, both regions experienced a greater number of incidents this quarter compared to the same quarter one year ago, contributing to increased clearance times.

Purpose of the Measure:

This measure is used to track the trends in incident clearance on the state highway system.

Measurement and Data Collection:

Advanced transportation management systems are used by traffic management centers in St. Louis, Kansas City and Springfield to record the incident start time and the time when all lanes are declared cleared. Traffic incidents can be categorized into three general classes of duration set forth by the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, which include minor, intermediate and major incidents. Each class has unique traffic- control characteristics and requirements.

This target is established by projecting a 10% improvement over a 5-year average.