The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) has garnered regional honors from America’s Transportation Awards for operational excellence and best use of technology.
PennDOT’s Automated Work Zone Speed Enforcement Program was recognized for its operational proficiency while the Shaler Street Bridge Replacement project was hailed for technology use.
The Automated Work Zone Speed Enforcement Program deploys a mobile unit to an active work zone to detect any vehicles going at least 11 miles over the speed limit. When a vehicle goes over the limit, its license plate is captured, and a violation is mailed to the address on file.
Meanwhile, the Shaler Street Bridge Replacement project served as the department’s initial implementation of self-propelled modular transporters (SPMTs), enabling the department to replace the Shaler Street Bridge over busy Route 19 in Allegheny County over the course of two weekends.
“Innovation is at the heart of PennDOT initiatives across the state,” PennDOT Secretary of Transportation Yassmin Gramian said. “It is gratifying to have our efforts recognized by our transportation partners.”
The American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO), American Automobile Association (AAA), and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce sponsors the America’s Transportation Awards competition. State DOTs compete in Quality of Life/Community Development; Best Use of Technology and Innovation; and Operations Excellence categories.