The North Carolina Transportation Innovation Council (NC-TIC) fosters a cooperative culture for rapid implementation of meaningful innovations to efficiently deliver the public a modern, high-quality transportation system. It serves as a clearinghouse and collaborative resource for interdisciplinary information sharing, technological experimentation and use, partnerships, process improvements, research and development, and institutional capacity building.
The NC-TIC was established in 2011 as part of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)’s initiative to promote innovation within state Departments of Transportation.
In 2019, the NC-TIC was prioritized to accelerate and scale innovation within NCDOT and the state’s surrounding transportation ecosystem. The council 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, the NC-TIC serves as the epicenter of innovation for NCDOT. The NC-TIC cultivates a clear and universal understanding of what innovation means across the agency 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—supported by stakeholders and committees.
A joint effort between NCDOT and FHWA’s NC Division Office, the NC-TIC includes members from the following agencies and organizations beyond NCDOT and FHWA:
- NC Local Technical Assistance Program
- Local Public Agencies (American Public Works Association)
- Metropolitan Planning Organizations (NC Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations)
- Rural Planning Organizations (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, including
Accelerated Innovation Deployment Demonstration (AID Demo),
State Transportation Innovation Councils (STIC) Incentive, and
Increased Federal Share for Project Level Innovation, to encourage the consideration and deployment of technology and innovation. Through multi-disciplinary collaboration, the NC-TIC leads the consideration and approval of proposals for technical assistance and/or funding from such programs.
