In 2010, the Federal Highway Administration initiated the
Every Day Counts (EDC) Program to identify and deploy innovation aimed at shortening project delivery, enhancing the safety of our roadways, and protecting the environment. EDC focuses on the rapid deployment of a finite set of initiatives that have been tested and proven to make a difference. One of the objectives of EDC is to build a “culture of innovation” in each state by creating state-based groups of transportation stakeholders charged with using their experience and leadership authority to initiate and oversee the rapid development of innovation into routine practice. These state-based groups are called State Transportation Innovation Councils (STIC) and consist of Federal, State, Local, and industry representatives.
In 2011, NCDOT and FHWA established the North Carolina Transportation Innovation Council (NC-TIC). Co-led by NCDOT’s Chief Engineer and FHWA’s NC Division Administrator, 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)
The mission of the NC-TIC is to facilitate the rapid implementation of technology, tactics and techniques among transportation program delivery professionals at all levels of state government and throughout the private and non-profit sector to ensure smart, efficient investment in North Carolina’s transportation infrastructure.
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.
