Outstanding Project or Program Award

Each year a project or program employing or advancing ITS technologies is awarded. The winner could be a project or program related to an infrastructure investment, plans, research, management, or other significant innovation in the field of ITS. 

New subcategories within the Outstanding Project or Program category have been added; separate awards will be provided to Statewide/Regional Agencies and Local Public Agencies in both Design and Construction/Implementation of Project/Program subcategories. Up to four awards may be given in the Outstanding Project or Program category.

Submitting a Nomination
  • Nominations are now open --- Nominations are Due August 1.
  • Submissions must include Executive Summary, Project Description, Display Panel, and appropriate Credits listing Project Owner/Lead Agency, Prime Consultant, and other significant contributors
  • Submissions are limited to three projects per agency. Each public agency should vet all projects being submitted on their behalf and select a maximum of three
  • Appropriate Public Agency MUST sign-off on all submissions

All submissions may be printed, by ITSNJ, mounted and displayed at the Annual Meeting. Description of all submissions may be shared on the ITSNJ website, through social media, and via email distribution to ITSNJ members.

Nominate a Project or Program Now

2025 Outstanding Project/Program - Statewide/Regional Agencies Design

2026 FIFA World Cup ITS Improvements

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is expected to attract a large number of visitors to the New York  Metropolitan area, particularly around the Meadowlands Sports Complex in East Rutherford, NJ.

To manage roadway incidents and traffic operations for the regional roadway network during  this special event, the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) conducted a  ITS operational needs assessment study followed by final design along 13 state highways in  the vicinity of the Meadowlands Sports Complex. The study and final design included tthe  evaluation and implementation of the following emerging ITS technologies including integration  into the unified NJDOT ATMS platform for real-time monitoring, decision-making, and  optimization of roadway network.

This project exemplifies how ITS technologies are a major component of transportation operations  and incident management strategies, with underlying traffic conditions, data and evaluation  leading and dictating the type of ITS required based on the projects needs and requirements.

 

2025 Outstanding Project/Program - Statewide/Regional Agencies Construction/Implementation:

NJDOT's Advanced Traffic Management Service (ATMS) 

The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) is being recognized for its leadership in advancing a statewide Advanced Traffic Management System (ATMS). This initiative establishes a comprehensive framework to modernize traffic operations through the integration of intelligent field devices, advanced detection, and real-time traveler information. The effort reflects NJDOT’s commitment to enhancing mobility, safety, and reliability across the state’s transportation network.

Central to this vision is the creation of a unified, data-driven platform supported by fiber communications and strong interagency collaboration. The system is designed to provide consistent operational practices, strengthen incident response, and improve congestion management while enabling seamless coordination with transit and emergency services. By building this foundation, NJDOT is ensuring scalability and flexibility as technology and mobility needs evolve.

Looking forward, the ATMS initiative positions New Jersey at the forefront of smart infrastructure and connected-vehicle readiness. Through strategic planning and innovation, NJDOT is setting a model for how transportation agencies can leverage technology to deliver safer, more efficient, and more resilient roadway operations.

2025 Outstanding Project/Program - Local Public Agencies Design

DVRPC Digital Alerting Program

DVRPC’s Digital Alerting Program uses HAAS Alert’s Safety Cloud® to send real-time Responder-to-Vehicle (R2V) alerts via in-vehicle systems and navigation apps. Alerts automatically activate when emergency lights are on, giving motorists advance warning of active incidents. The program launched with installation and project management support from NEWCOM to enhance responder safety and reduce secondary crashes. Over 1.5 million drivers alerted to date, averaging nearly 300,000 alerts per month across the Philadelphia metro area and NJ counties. It's currently deployed across 504 vehicles and 113 agencies (fire, EMS, police, PennDOT Safety Patrols); fully funded equipment, installation, and 3-year subscription at no cost to agencies. Expansion is planned: 170+ more vehicles in 2025, continued growth through 2026, with funding secured through 2028 as a scalable, replicable model.
2025 Outstanding Project/Program - Local Public Agencies Construction/Implementation

The Rebuild by Design Hudson River Project aimed to protect Hoboken from storm surges with floodwalls, deployable gates, and green infrastructure, requiring a multi-month closure of Jersey Avenue. A sliding floodgate at the Hoboken–Jersey City border was implemented to block Hudson River flooding while maintaining mobility and enabling real-time signal monitoring. The City of Hoboken, in coordination with multiple agencies (Jersey City, Hudson County, NJDEP, Port Authority), led a multi-agency traffic management strategy for the closure. Michael Baker International developed and executed the transportation mitigation plan, modeling roadway networks and recommending adjustments to signal timing, signage, and lane assignments. The plan leveraged data-driven transportation models to assess diversion volumes and existing conditions for effective strategies.