Kansas DOT – It’s billed as “the Academy Awards of the engineering industry”. Each year 
the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) honors the most outstanding engineering accomplishments.
The Kansas Airspace Awareness Tool (KAAT) was selected as one of the top 24 projects in 2011 and was given the Honor Award at ACEC’s annual gala. In fact, the KAAT was #1 on the list of Honor Award recipients and finished 8th overall. The seven grand awards selected all topped $1 billion in
budget.
To put this in perspective, the KAAT project was made possible by a grant from the Federal Aviation Administration for approximately $265,000. The ACEC’s Annual Engineering Excellence Awards Gala, a black-tie event held in Washington D.C., attracted more than 600 members, guests, industry leaders and members of Congress. On April 17, Ed Young, KDOT Aviation Director, traveled with representatives from Burns and McDonnell to attend the gala and receive the award.
At the 2011 gala, projects that received the Honor Award include multi-million dollar engineering efforts, such as: The New Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MO; and the Songdo Convensia in Incheon, South Korea. Featured projects this year included the Grand Canyon overlook, Louisville Arena and several projects in New Orleans.
“It’s certainly a humbling experience to see our project be recognized and given such a prestigious award with so many other outstanding, highdollar, high-impact projects from around the world,” said
Ed Young. “It’s just a testament to the collaborative efforts and hard-work of everyone involved.”
KDOT staff (not pictured) have been extremely helpful in keeping the tool up and running, including Joel Davidson, Computer Services, and Nick Callaghan, GIS.
The KAAT is the first of its kind in the nation and continues to broaden its application and utility.
