The purpose of the NC-TIC is to foster a collaborative culture within NCDOT for the rapid implementation of meaningful innovations to efficiently deliver to the public a modern, high quality transportation system.
NC-TIC was established in 2011 as part of the Federal Highway Administration’s initiative to promote innovation at a state level within Departments of Transportation.
In 2019, NC-TIC was prioritized to accelerate and scale innovation within NCDOT and the state’s surrounding transportation ecosystem. NC-TIC provides a platform for innovation, programming, and guidance on policies and best practices to ensure efficient investment, development, and management of North Carolina’s transportation infrastructure.
Today, NC-TIC serves as the epicenter of innovation for NCDOT; it cultivates a clear and universal understanding of what innovation means across departmental lines and establishes defined processes and practices that help implement it.NC-TIC’s activities are focused on three primary areas – internal innovation, academic partnerships, and industry partnerships – and supported by stakeholders and committees.
A join effort between NCDOT and and FHWA’s NC Division Office, the NC-TIC includes members from the following agencies and organizations beyound NCDOT and FHWA:
- NC Local Technical Assistance Program
- Local Public Agencies (American Public Works Association)
- MPOs (NC Association of Metrolina Planning Organizations)
- RPOs (NC Association of Rural Planning Organizations)
- Contractors (American Concrete Pavement Association, Carolina Asphalt Pavement Association, and Carolinas Associated General Contractors)
- Consultants (American Council of Engineering Companies)
FHWA has established several incentive programs, which include
Accelerating Innovation Deployment Demonstration,
STIC Incentive, and
Increased Federal-share for Project Level Innovation, to encourage the consideration and deployment of technology and innovation. Through multi-discipline collaboration, the NC-TIC leads the consideration and approval of proposals for technical assistance and/or funding from such programs.
