The program, now in its third year, aims to “identify and implement innovative solutions for transportation related projects, processes and products.”
“As the dynamics of North Dakota’s economy and industry evolve, it is more important than ever to continue to find new and better ways to do business,” says NDDOT Director of Operations Wayde Swenson. “The Transportation Innovation Program is a valuable way to introduce new thinking into the department and provide for innovation in all aspects of the agency’s responsibilities.”
NDDOT says potential ideas for the submissions include:
- Bridges and structures
- Construction
- Operations and maintenance
- Roadway surfacing
- Planning
- Environmental
- Safety
- Service delivery
- Transit
- Multi-modal
- Innovative or currently underprovided transportation training
- Innovative research
Examples of previous submissions that have been implemented include:
- Using a Texas underseal on HBP overlay projects
- Studying the use of fiberglass rebar & dowels bars in bridges and pavements
- Using fiber reinforced HBP
- Installing culvert movement monitoring/instrumentation
- Using URETEK deep polymer injection on frost heaves
- Monitoring traffic flows with distributed acoustic sensing
- Using geogrid reinforcement under aggregate base for flexible pavement
- Using a MIT Scan T2 for collecting concrete pavement thicknesses
- Using hydrated lime as an anti-stripping agent in new full-depth HBP pavements
- Developing a digital driver’s license application process
- Using TheSmartCone technology for security, work-zone safety and surveillance applications
- Using Jointbond to address longitudinal HBP joint deterioration
- Using WatershedGeo HydroTurf for drainage way armoring
Submissions can come from contractors, colleges and universities, consultants, tribes, suppliers, local jurisdictions, associations and NDDOT staff.
More details are available at http://www.dot.nd.gov/business/innovate. Submissions are due March 6.
