Pennsylvania Selected to Host State Transportation Innovation Council Roundtable Discussion

Pennsylvania Selected to Host State Transportation Innovation Council
Roundtable Discussion

8/4/2016-KING OF PRUSSIA

Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Secretary Leslie S.
Richards today joined US Department of Transportation Deputy Secretary
Victor
Mendez, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Administrator Gregory Nadeau
and
FHWA Division Administrator Renee Sigel to showcase the Pennsylvania State
Transportation Innovation Council (STIC). Pennsylvania was chosen to host
because of the success of the Pennsylvania STIC.

"We are proud to be playing a leading role nationally in championing better

ways to deliver transportation services," Richards said. "We welcome
today's
opportunity to meet with our federal counterparts to review our progress."

In 2010, FHWA introduced the State Transportation Innovation Council
concept to
state transportation departments and industry partners to foster ownership
and
pride in establishing a process in which ideas, innovative techniques and
processes can be evaluated and implemented quickly and proficiently.

In their recently published Innovation Culture Index, the FHWA recognized
the
Pennsylvania STIC as having achieved a sustained culture of innovation,
meaning
that the Pennsylvania STIC's activities, processes or framework to fully
support innovative measures have become standard practice.

The Pennsylvania STIC brings together representatives from PennDOT, FHWA
and
the contracting industry for regular idea exchanges and fosters work within

PennDOT to develop innovative approaches.

Among the innovations STIC has helped foster in Pennsylvania:

• Adaptive Signal Control Technology – PennDOT has installed these
innovative
traffic signals at 190 intersections across the state and plans
installation at
246 more intersections. Instead of signals controlled by arbitrary timing,
these devices rely on traffic sensors to adjust timing to enhance traffic
flow.

• High Friction Surface Treatments -- An innovative asphalt mix that
enhances
traction and has been installed at more than 200 high crash locations
across
the state.

• Warm Mix asphalt -- A technique that allows asphalt to be applied at
lower
temperatures, which reduces emissions and extends the paving season.

• Accelerated Bridge Construction methods -- Using innovative construction

methods, such as geosynthetic reinforced, soil-integrated bridge systems
and
prefabricated elements, PennDOT has been able to reduce the time for
building
new or replacing bridges. Keeping traffic disruptions and detours to a
minimum
helps improve mobility while bridges are being replaced.

Held at the Dixon University Center in Harrisburg, the discussion focused
on
the various advantages to maintaining a culture of innovation, from safety
to
savings, and the maximization of taxpayer's dollars.

For more information on Pennsylvania's Transportation Innovation Council
visit
www.penndot.gov at PennDOT 20/20.

MEDIA CONTACT: Jan Huzvar, 717-783-8800


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