Innovative Transportation in Texas

As Texas’ population continues to grow and the number of vehicles on our highways increases, improving our transportation systems and enhancing safety for our traveling public is our highest priority.

TxDOT has launched the “Innovative Transportation in Texas” program to identify, evaluate and develop innovative solutions to meet the growing transportation needs.

Districts and divisions develop and implement innovative tools and new processes to improve how TxDOT uses resources, materials, human capital, and technology while also increasing roadway safety. Read more about these innovations.

TxDOT's culture naturally accelerates the identification, sharing, and implementation of innovations with staff and industry partners.

As transportation and technology evolve quickly, TxDOT continues to embrace collaboration with internal and external stakeholders, working with local, regional, state, and federal agencies, as well as research institutions to address mobility challenges and community needs.

State task forces and committees provide Texans with a unified source of information about efforts to advance safety and new roadway technologies throughout the state. The chart below provides an overview of the purpose, scope, and stakeholder networks contributing to the Texas Innovation Alliance (TIA) and Texas Technology Task Force (T3F):

Every day counts

TxDOT participates in programs at the federal level, including the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Every Day Counts (EDC) program, which identifies transportation innovation focus areas for each two-year EDC cycle. State DOTs (departments of transportation) identify, share, and rapidly deploy proven innovations that make transportation systems adaptable, sustainable, equitable, and safer for all.

EDC-7 innovation topics (2023-2024)

• Nighttime Visibility for Safety
• Next Generation TIM (Traffic Incident Management): Technology for Saving Lives
• Integration GHG (greenhouse gas) Assessment and Reduction Targets in Transportation Planning
• Enhancing Performance with Internally Cured Concrete
• EPDs (Environmental Product Declarations) for Sustainable Project Delivery
• Rethinking DBE (Disadvantaged Business Enterprise) for Design Build
• Strategic Workforce Development

These projects were selected by transportation leaders across the nation. Through discussion at an annual virtual summit, states identify opportunities to implement innovations that best fit their transportation program needs.

TxDOT’s innovation ecosystem

The Innovative Transportation in Texas Program is a major component of TxDOT's innovation ecosystem, which includes a broad spectrum of strategic initiatives and events, district and division innovation projects, communities of practice, a network of innovation champions, innovation education, recognition programs, and more.