Purpose

To recognize an individual, team, or organization for the development, management, and implementation of a creative idea, program, process, or system that enhances the delivery of public works services to the public. A technical innovation involves materials, design, and equipment such as pinch valves, a carbon fiber reinforced bridge, etc.

Eligibility

Anyone actively involved in the public works profession is eligible. APWA membership is not required.

Selection

The Awards Committee reviews the nominations and selects the award winners.

Criteria

Innovations will be judged on the overall positive effect it has made on the agency, the public, and/or the community relative to the delivery of public works services that are new and creative methods and programs. These may include, but are not limited to, materials, design, or equipment that improves efficiency, disseminates information, or educates the public and/or personnel.

The innovations must be proven cost effective and sustainable. They should not be the result of natural evolution of existing methods, common sense, or good practice, but rather a successful implementation that results in significant achievement.

The innovations must be well-documented and presented in a manner that describes the deficiency and/or challenge and the results of innovation implementation.

Applications should address the following specific criteria, which will be evaluated in the selection process:

  • Describe the complexity of the innovation—provide specific information related to the challenge identified and the innovation utilized to address
  • Explain the innovation’s positive impact—provide specific information related to the long-term benefits and operational efficiencies realized to public works
  • Describe the approach utilized to create the innovation—provide detailed information on the originality and approach utilized to create the technical innovation.

Nomination Process

Nominations may be made by any public agency or APWA chapter. Submissions are limited to ten pages. The ten pages do not include a letter of introduction from the chapter/nominator.

Deadline

March 3, 2025

Presentation

The award winners are presented with a plaque at the Awards Recognition Ceremony during PWX and are featured in APWA publications. 

Nominate for this Award

Submission Deadline

March 3, 2025

Award Type

Public Works Industry Awards

Award Winners

2024
City of Dublin Road Weather Information System, City of Dublin, Ohio

2023
Charleston County, Public Works, Titanium Dioxide Program, North Charleston, South Carolina

Village of Niles, Illinois, Public Works Department – Smart Street light & Fiber Optic Infrastructure Improvement

2022
TIMS2GO Mobile Incident Response Tool, Illinois Tollway, Downers Grove, Illinois

2021
Eagan GIS Mobile Workforce, City of Eagan, Minnesota

2020
45SW Wrong Way Driving Technology, Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority, Austin, Texas

Water Always Wins Virtual Reality Experience¸ Clark County Regional Flood Control District, Las Vegas, Nevada

2019
Engineering and Manufacturing a Multi-Purpose Fleet, City of Calgary, Alberta

2018
East Valley Arterial Travel Time Map Project, City of Mesa, Arizona

2017
Kansas City Smart City Infrastructure, City of Kansas City, Missouri

2016
Bridge Inspections Using Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Minnesota DOT, St. Paul

2015
John Davis, Sign and Fabrication Supervisor, North Texas Tollway Authority

2014
Minneapolis Tablet Technology, City of Minneapolis, Minnesota

2013
Ash Handling System, Greenway Wastewater Treatment Plant, City of London, Ontario

2012
Ash Lagoon Modifications and Upgrades at the G.E. Booth Wastewater Treatment Plant, Region of Peel/Region of York, Ontario

2010
Las Posas Basin Aquifer Storage and Recovery Program, Calleguas Municipal Water District, Thousand Oaks, California