The Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) Local Aid Support team in the Office of Transportation Innovation and Workforce Solutions announces the 2023 recipients of the Build a Better Mousetrap National Recognition Program for Transportation Innovation. Each year, FHWA recognizes and celebrates local government and tribal agencies who pioneer innovations that improve transportation performance. Previous winners have been recognized for a range of innovations that save time and money while improving safety and customer service in their communities.
FHWA received another record number of exciting nominations this year from 20 state, local and Tribal agencies. The national winners are recognized for their innovations in four categories: Innovative Project; Smart Transformation; Bold Steps; and Pioneer. The winners were recently announced during the National Local and Tribal Technical Assistance Program Association’s Annual Meeting in Columbus, Ohio. View the video announcement on FHWA YouTube channel.
Congratulations to the Build a Better Mousetrap 2023 recipients!
Innovative Project Award – Any solution that addresses any or all phases of the ‘project’ lifecycle – Planning, Design/Engineering, Construction, Operations and Maintenance. This project introduces new ideas, is locally relevant, original, and creative in thinking.
Winner: Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation
Innovation: The Mobile Unit Sensing Traffic (MUST) Device
Description: Specifically designed and implemented for use along rural roads to monitor traffic, detect dangerous events, and provide real-time warning messages to users.
Bold Steps Award – A locally relevant high-risk project or process showing a break-through solution with demonstrated high-reward.
Winner: New Jersey Department of Transportation
Innovation: Route 71 over Shark River Road Diet
Description: A road diet project to preserve an old historic bridge while improving safety and saving money.
Smart Transformation Award – A locally relevant significant change in any transportation activity or process that is SMART “Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-bound” in nature that results in improved efficiencies.
Winner: St. Louis County Public Works Department, Minnesota
Innovation: Solar-powered Remote Cameras
Description: The cameras provide more accurate and immediate access to information on road conditions that assists with emergency response while requiring less maintenance.
Pioneer Award – A locally relevant product/tool that is among the first to solve a maintenance problem with a home-grown solution.
Winner: City of Walnut Creek, California
Innovation: Safe Sightings of Signs and Signals (SSOSS) Software
Description: An automated process for identifying and addressing obstructed traffic signals saving time and money while increasing data accuracy.
FHWA Local Aid Support team supports the use of innovative solutions to improve transportation performance by working through the local and Tribal Technical Assistance Centers to provide training and access to subject matter experts. For more information on Build a Better Mousetrap and other national initiatives visit the FHWA BABM webpage.