Did you or your team build an innovative gadget, improve how you do a certain job or task, or otherwise implement a change that had positive impact to your workplace or community? Did you solve a challenge or frustration with ingenuity? Your innovative success can be anything from the development of tools, equipment modifications, and/or processes that increase safety, reduce cost, improve efficiency, or improve the quality of transportation by completing projects and roadway maintenance tasks more efficiently and effectively.
The competition is an excellent way for innovative ideas to be exchanged with others that may benefit from different concepts and perspectives. It is also a great way for local transportation professionals to get some well-earned recognition for their hard work.
We are looking to collect and disseminate real world examples of best practices, tips from the field, and to assist in the transfer of technology. We invite non-proprietary submissions from local agencies year-round!
Need inspiration? Want more information or details? - The winning entries of the 2024 National Build a Better Mousetrap competition can be viewed on FHWA's Center for Local Aid Support (CLAS) website, as can further program requirements, criteria, and information- or please reach out to lee.cooper@unh.edu!
Share BABM with your team! Poster to print and display in your breakroom.
Build a Better Mousetrap Competition is your opportunity to share the creativity that we’re proud of in your teams, to help others!
One NH local road agency individual and/or team whose innovation is selected as the New Hampshire state winner in the Build a Better Mouse Trap program will receive its choice of one of the following:
- APWA membership for up to 2 people (for "new" members that have not had APWA membership previously)
- Heavy equipment training & lunch for 4 from UNH T2
- 6 free UNH T2 workshop seats (up to $600 value)
Runners-up who are also selected to submit an innovation to the national program will receive four free workshop seats to a paid workshop (up to $400 value) from UNH T2 for future use.
Entries will be judged on various criteria, including cost savings, benefits to the community and/or team, ingenuity, transferability, and effectiveness. Suitable entries could come from the following categories, as examples: We encourage you to also submit photos and short video clips showcasing your project. Entries must be received by May 23, 2025 to be considered for the national competition, but we welcome submissions at any time!
Use the form below or contact us for assistance.
