The Accelerating Innovation Unit manages four complementary technology deployment programs focused on advancing a culture of innovation. Together, the Every Day Counts (EDC) program, the State Transportation Innovation Councils (STIC) Incentive program, the Accelerated Innovation Deployment (AID) demonstration program, and the Accelerating Market Readiness (AMR) program promote the identification and deployment of proven yet underutilized technologies and practices in transportation.
The STIC Incentive program offers Federal funding of up to $100,000 per State, per fiscal year to support or offset some of the costs of standardizing innovative program practices in a State transportation agency or other public sector STIC stakeholder. In 2022, $4.1 million was awarded to 42 STICs to institutionalize innovations such as Digital As-Builts, e-Ticketing, Unmanned Aerial Systems, pavement overlay technologies, and Safe Transportation for Every Pedestrian.
Collaboration is key for innovation deployment. Innovators and innovation adopters alike benefit from opportunities to share their experiences. In September, the Accelerating Innovation Unit arranged for 29 peers from 15 different State departments of transportation (DOTs), the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), the US Department of Transportation (USDOT), and FHWA’s Federal Lands Highways to collaborate in-person at the 2022 Innovation Forum hosted by the California Department of Transportation in San Diego. The goal was to provide an opportunity for Chief Innovation Officers and those with similar DOT positions to share ideas, learn from each other’s successes and challenges in deploying innovations, and create a network of innovators around the country. During this peer exchange, innovators shared how they are engaging their internal and external stakeholders, discussed the importance of having a safe space to discuss innovation challenges, and brainstormed future tools that could help share innovations across the country. As part of this event, the California Department of Transportation set up a tour of the Pacific Naval Information Warfare Center to look at innovations that could translate to the transportation ecosystem.
The Every Day Counts program has rapidly deployed proven technologies and processes. Every two years, FHWA works with key stakeholder groups to identify a new set of innovations that merit accelerated deployment. After receiving more than 70 suggestions from local, State, and Federal agencies; academia; and industry, FHWA selected seven innovations to promote in 2023-2024 as part of EDC-7. This portfolio of market-ready and proven, yet underutilized practices and technologies aims to improve safety for all users, shorten the project delivery process, create an equitable transportation system, and build sustainable and resilient infrastructure.
Innovations for Improving Safety for All Users
Nighttime Visibility for Safety
Next Generation TIM: Technology for Saving Lives
Innovations for Building a Sustainable Infrastructure for the Future
Integrating Greenhouse Gas Assessment and Reduction Targets in Transportation Planning
Enhancing Performance with Internally Cured Concrete (EPIC2)
EPDs for Sustainable Project Delivery
Innovations for Growing an Inclusive Workforce
Rethinking DBE for Design-Build
Strategic Workforce Development
Register for the EDC-7 Virtual Summit February 14-16, 2023. All content and recordings will be available through 2023.
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