For the 2026 Build a Better Mousetrap (BABM) national competition, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) evaluated a record number of more than 100 combined submissions from 2025 and 2026. Coordinated through Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) and Tribal Technical Assistance Program (TTAP) Centers, these submissions highlight the important role locally driven innovation plays when it comes to transforming transportation.
The 2026 Build a Better Mousetrap Winners Are...
The Claremont Department of Public Works created a fully integrated mobile maintenance platform that transformed a labor-intensive culvert steaming process into a safer, more efficient operation while significantly improving employee safety and reducing setup time.
The City of Santa Maria automated the inventory and assessment of its transportation assets by combining mobile mapping technology, artificial intelligence, and machine learning to support long-term capital planning.
The Town of Riverhead Highway Department developed a cost-effective innovation using entirely repurposed materials to reduce physical strain on employees while increasing productivity and safety.
Johnson County designed and fabricated a vehicle-mounted GPS data collection platform that allows roadway information to be gathered at operational speeds, significantly reducing exposure to traffic hazards.
The City of Abbeville created a safer community-centered downtown environment. downtown environment through extensive public engagement and multimodal transportation planning.
