Illinois Department of Transportation issued the following announcement on Apr. 8.
An idea to ensure proper signage in work zones and a new process that simplifies project planning took top honors in the Illinois Department of Transportation's fourth annual Innovative Ideas Contest, a statewide employee initiative to reward problem-solving while saving taxpayer money and improving safety and efficiency.
"Year after year, our employees continue to impress with their innovative solutions to common problems," said Acting Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman. "In the midst of their daily work, our employees are always looking for ways to get their jobs done faster, safer and cheaper. I am proud to recognize their dedication and ingenuity."
Ideas in two tracks - Operations and Technical - were submitted to IDOT's internal selection committee. Projects were evaluated by size and scope of the problem, creativity in finding solutions, ability to be implemented statewide and potential to save time, money or other valuable resources. The winners:
• Operations. District 3 Ashkum/Buckley Team Section's rotating trailer-mounted attenuator sign holder won top honors. While signs provide valuable traffic safety controls that help keep workers and motorists safe in work zones, not all TMAs come equipped with sign holders. This innovation adds a holder that attaches to the arrow board frame and keeps signs raised above the surface of the TMA. The holder features a unique design that allows it to rotate for easy access.
• Technical. District 6's Bureau of Project Implementation won for their electronic plan circulation process. This innovation uses Cloud-based services to distribute plans department-wide, allowing for early and ongoing collaboration across all bureaus and with outside consultants. The process enables staff throughout the state to review and comment on planning documents in real time.
Twenty finalists displayed their work in March through a virtual showcase. To see videos of the ideas in action, visit IDOT's YouTube account at youtube.com/user/IllinoisDOT.
Original source can be found here.
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