Department of Highways, District 6
Commonwealth at your Fingertips-Kiosks Provide Valuable Link for Travel & Tourism

Commonwealth at your Fingertips

Kiosks Provide Valuable Link for Travel & Tourism

Covington, Kentucky - (May 23, 2006) - Travel, traffic and tourism information about the commonwealth is now at your fingertips inside Kentucky welcome centers and rest areas.  The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) is installing innovative new kiosk machines at 16 welcome centers and rest areas. Today, one of the new kiosk was demonstrated by the Transportation Cabinet representatives at the Welcome Center on southbound I-75 in Boone County. Later this year, a kiosk will be located in each of the 28 welcome centers and rest areas.  Kiosks are also located in the public areas of KYTC’s central office building in Frankfort. 

“This approach to connecting with visitors embodies Kentucky’s Unbridled Spirit,” said Governor Ernie Fletcher. “The kiosk, which resembles an ATM machine, allows travelers to get live radar and other weather information, as well as detailed traffic information. The interactive features also showcase local and statewide tourist attractions.”  

Recent traffic counts by the KYTC reveal that an estimated ten million people visited Kentucky’s eight welcome centers last year alone.  The welcome center guest registers recorded more than 750,000 individual visitor signatures during 2005.  Additionally, based on KYTC traffic counts, more than 17 million people visited a Kentucky rest area last year. 

“The real time travel and traffic information enhances highway safety by giving travelers additional information to plan their trip,” said Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Secretary Bill Nighbert. “We also hope that tourists will use information they discover on the kiosk to visit some of the remarkable attractions found here in Kentucky.”

KYTC welcome centers and rest areas already have a wide array of travel and tourism information on hand. The kiosks target the highest traffic areas and can be placed anywhere a digital signal from Kentucky Education Television (KET) can be received.  KET’s datacast system is used to update kiosk information.  It’s all part of the overall effort to use the latest technology to connect with visitors.

“Many times, the first contact a person has with a state is at a welcome center,” said Commerce Secretary George Ward.  “The kiosk helps us make a positive impression with the traveling public.  With the kiosk we can provide vital information that tourists need to plan their trip to a Kentucky destination.”

Boone County Judge Executive, Gary Moore, said, “This new interactive tool can be nothing but a benefit for Northern Kentucky and Kentucky as a whole.” He continued by saying, “All those traveling through can check out the exciting venues that we have such as Big Bone Lick State Park.”

The new kiosk can provide current information that can help visitors with their travel plans.

The Drive Smart Buckle Up Bear joined in on the excitement of the new Kiosk at the Florence Welcome Center!

Marc Williams, State Highway Commissioner, spoke about making Kentucky's highways safe during the upcoming Memorial Day Holiday.

The Secretary of Commerce, George Ward, spoke about all the attractions that Kentucky has to offer and how the new kiosk can showcase those attractions.

Gary Moore, Boone County Judge Executive highlighted what Boone County and Northern Kentucky has to offer tourists visiting our state.

Seamore the Shark, from the Newport Aquarium, visited the new kiosk at the Florence Welcome Center.  Come visit the Newport Aqaurium when you are in the Northern Kentucky area!

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