I do listen in on MODOT but mainly during snow plow operations and sometimes during flooding situations around the St Louis area. Also during winter weather situations I used to monitor AAA. They used to have two VHF freqs and one 800MHz simplex channel. Have not listened in for a few years. I used to listen in on taxi services. There used to be quite a few and were mostly on UHF freqs. When I am in the mood I will try and monitor FRS (type) channels for stores like Target, Walmart etc. And the old drive through freqs at McDonald's etc. They can be fun.
Speaking of MODOT. I believe they have taken a long time to migrate to MOSWIN. I think it would be a great way for them to use that system since they are already a statewide resource. All MODOT regions programmed in the radios and they could go anywhere in the state with no problems However I do understand one situation that could prevent them from using the repeater system of MOSWIN during plow operations.
If I am correct, they use their VHF high band simplex channels because, as some of us know, using a repeater system (and driving side by side-literally) you can not hear the truck(s) right next to you. They somehow cancel their signal. And......there could be many gang plows going on at the same time in a particular area causing possible overload of traffic on one frequency. I got a suggestion but I am sure, for some reason, it won't work.
If they go to MOSWIN they could dedicate a non repeater channel (or two) for close contact gang plowing. A simplex 700/800 channel would work well, no repeater dead air situation and the 700/800 freq does not travel as far as a VHF freq does and it could help out with multiple gang plow situations.
Just a thought. And I am sorry for getting waaaaaay off track. But hey, maybe it will bring about some good responses here on the MO forum.