Transportation innovators: Nominees sought for White House, USDOT Champions of Change

Updated Jul 22, 2015
highway traffic
(Photo: VCU CNS / Flickr)(Photo: VCU CNS / Flickr)

The U.S. Department of Transportation and the White House Office of Public Engagement are looking for nominees for a Champions of Change event highlighting “Beyond Traffic: Innovators in Transportation for the Future.”

The Champions of Change program is a weekly program that recognizes people throughout the country “who are leading projects and initiatives that move their community forward.” These transportation champions will be honored on Oct. 13.

“We are looking for innovators who have developed and implemented strategies to strengthen connectivity, reduce congestion, and /or improve safety for Americans,” Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx wrote in his blog post about the wards. “We are also looking for innovators who are affecting how freight and cargo move across the county — including efforts to improve efficiencies and safety in our nation’s freight system. And we are looking for innovators who are driving technological advances that improve the way we deliver transportation benefits — including those who have been key in streamlining project delivery in the design and building of our nation’s transportation systems.”

The four categories for innovators include:

How We Move

For those who have developed and implemented strategies to strengthen connectivity, reduce congestion and/or improve safety for Americans who travel within and between their communities every day.

Examples:

  • Developing and/or implementing technologies, strategies or programs that advance safety in our nation’s transportation system.
  • Pioneering mobility management strategies for moving people
  • Developing and/or implementing transportation safety strategies or  innovative transportation safety programs for communities for minority, older adults, limited English proficiency or other at-risk communities

How We Move Things

For those who are affecting the movement of our nation’s freight and cargo across the country, including efforts to improve efficiencies and safety in our nation’s freight system.

Examples:

  • Developing technology applications that create efficiencies for cargo movement
  • Implementing solutions that improve intermodal connectivity and safety for freight
  • Creating innovations that improve safety for the movement of freight and hazardous materials

How We Move Better

For those who are making technological advances benefitting our transportation system, including  includes innovators who have been key in streamlining project delivery in the design and building our nation’s transportation systems.

Examples:

  • Applying technologies that reduce congestion and increase efficiencies in transportation systems
  • Advancing connected automation to advance vehicle to vehicle, vehicle to infrastructure, and vehicle to people in a safe environment
  • Visualizing data to enhance understanding of critical transportation information
  • Advancing the use of equity based performance measures and planning initiatives at the state and/or community level

How We Adapt

For those who have demonstrating leadership, developing strategies and/or implementing key initiatives to address challenges to our transportation infrastructure and systems as a result of climate change.

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Examples:

  • Strategies to limit greenhouse-gas emissions.
  • Core initiatives that advance resiliency in our nation’s transportation system.
  • Facilitate change strategies that positively impact sustainability

The deadline for nominations, which can be completed here, is August 1.

“It’s a great way to recognize someone making a difference in their community,” Foxx added. “And it’s a great way of inspiring other problem-solvers and innovators to continue pursuing their work.”