The Build a Better Mousetrap (BABM) national recognition program is an initiative designed to spotlight locally driven innovation in transportation and provide a national platform for sharing practical solutions to everyday challenges faced by local and Tribal transportation professionals. Focused specifically on local roads, the program celebrates creative problem-solving that strengthens the way transportation systems are planned, designed, constructed, operated, and maintained. These solutions may include new project delivery methods, improved design processes, or the development and modification of tools and equipment that enhance safety, increase efficiency, reduce costs, and improve the overall quality of local transportation infrastructure.

The program operates through Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) Centers, which serve as coordinators within each state. Centers solicit nominations locally, evaluate submissions, and select the most impactful innovations to advance to the national level. The program also operates through the seven regional Tribal Technical Assistance Program (TTAP) Centers, which would conduct a similar process. Multiple nominations may be submitted across several categories, ensuring broad representation of innovative practices.

Submissions are organized into five primary categories:

• Innovative Project - Original and creative solutions addressing any phase of the project lifecycle, including planning, design and engineering, construction, and operations and maintenance.
• Bold Steps - High-risk initiatives or processes that demonstrate breakthrough solutions with significant, high-reward outcomes.
• Smart Transformation - Significant improvements to transportation activities or processes that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-bound, resulting in measurable efficiency gains.
• Pioneer - Locally developed products or tools that provide first-of-their-kind, home-grown solutions to maintenance challenges.
• Putting Families First Innovation - A new program, initiative, tool, or process that greatly enhances transportation and mobility for families in communities and within tribal areas.

Honorees are selected based on their ability to provide lasting value to the transportation community. The selection process considers:

• Recognized importance and overall impact
• Originality and creativity
• Applicability to other agencies or communities
• Cost effectiveness and time savings
• Agency or community benefit
• Overall quality and clarity of the application

The Build a Better Mousetrap program is disseminated under the sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Transportation in the interest of information exchange. The U.S. Government assumes no liability for the use of the information provided and does not endorse specific products or manufacturers. Any trademarks or manufacturers' names mentioned are included solely for informational purposes and are not intended to reflect preference, approval, or endorsement.