ATSSA Signal May June 2019

American Traffic Safety Services Association 16 Innovation & New Programs State by state FHWA leads deployment of new technologies and practices STIC network connects public and private transportation stakeholders to implement new innovations The STIC program takes a state-by-state approach, working together to evaluate new technologies or practices and then implement those ideas on their roadways and in their roadway safety infrastructure. In many facets of the roadway safety infrastructure industry, more progress and innovations are made when differ- ent stakeholders work together to come up with solutions and countermeasures to address major issues on the nation’s roadways. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is doing just that through its State Transportation Innovation Coun- cil (STIC) program, which brings local public agencies, Local Technical Assis- tance Programs (LTAP), Tribal Technical Assistance Programs (TTAP), Depart- ments of Transportation (DOTs), aca- demic institutions, and the transporta- tion industry together. “STICs are the driving force when it comes to choosing and implementing innovative practices that can improve project delivery in a state,” said FHWA spokesperson Neil Gaffney. “The prac- tices are chosen based on the business needs of the state and the approaches that work best there.” Through its STIC program, the FHWA takes a state-by-state approach, setting up and supporting various taskforces that work together to evaluate new tech- nologies or practices and then imple- ment those ideas on their roadways and in their roadside infrastructure. Many participating entities of the STIC program say they reap multiple bene- fits from being a part of this widespread network. The programprovides all stake- holders the opportunity to share inno- vative ideas through a forum, encour- ages creative and open thinking to improve processes and save tax dollars, fosters working relations among groups, and allows participants the chance to utilize the STIC Incentive program, which offers federal funding of up to $100,000 per state. STIC participation not only benefits stakeholders but the outcomes help communities as well. “Being part of the STIC and seeing that these are real innovations that are be- ing used and are saving lives—it ’s important. It’s what we’re supposed to do,” said Douglas George of the Amer- ican Society of Highway Engineers. Deputy Executive Director of the Mar- icopa Association of Governments Amy St. Peter said, by participating in the STIC network, her public agency can strengthen its relationships on the re- gional, state, and federal level and ad- dress the county’s most prevalent trans- portation needs in unique ways. “Transportation is so important in our community. It provides access to edu- cation, employment, healthcare—with- out it, people don’t have those oppor- tunities,” St. Peter said. Today, there is a long list of STIC proj- ects that have improved transportation across the United States. Through the use of STIC incentive fund- ing, theMaine DOT was able to complete a bridge construction project 78 days faster as opposed to normal methods of operation. STIC funding also helped the Ohio DOT to streamline and improve the output of production studies and evaluation reports required under the National Environmental Policy Act. “We have to save time, we have to save money, we have to use the latest tech- nologies,” said FHWA Division Adminis- trator for the District of Columbia Chris Lawson. “The private sector is able to bring the innovation and creativity to our projects.”  For more information on previous and current projects or to learn how to join the STIC program, visit www.fhwa.dot.gov/innovation/stic. STICs are thedriving forcewhen it comes to choosing and implementing innovativepractices that can improveproject delivery ina state. Thepractices are chosenbasedon thebusiness needs of the state and the approaches thatworkbest there.