On the Dash:
• FHWA launched a new round of proven infrastructure innovations.
• More than 15 states have already adopted elements of the program.
• The initiative aims to accelerate projects and improve roadway safety.
The U.S. Department of Transportation is expanding efforts to help states accelerate infrastructure projects and improve roadway safety through a new slate of proven technologies under the Federal Highway Administration’s Every Day Counts program.
Announced in Washington, D.C., the latest round of innovations under the Every Day Counts initiative is designed to help state transportation departments, local governments, tribes and private-sector partners deliver projects faster while enhancing safety and efficiency. Now in its eighth round, the program identifies tools and practices that have already demonstrated success in multiple states and provides technical assistance to broaden adoption nationwide.
More than 15 states have already implemented elements of the newly highlighted innovations.
“The Every Day Counts program has rapidly deployed proven technologies and processes that can be shared and implemented across states to deliver a safer and faster transportation network for Americans,” said Federal Highway Administration Administrator Sean McMaster. “This latest round of innovations is taking transportation solutions to a new level to ensure our roads and bridges are built better and in less time.”
The initiative underscores a continued federal focus on modernizing transportation infrastructure, reducing project delays and improving long-term reliability across the nation’s highway system.
Among the featured innovations is Advancing Nighttime Work Zone Safety, which provides transportation agencies with tools to adopt safer and more effective nighttime construction practices. The goal is to reduce crashes and improve traffic flow while projects are underway.
Beyond Bid-Build introduces alternative contracting approaches that allow agencies to engage expertise earlier in the development process. By moving beyond traditional low-bid procurement, states can reduce risk, streamline timelines and improve project outcomes.
Connected Corridors promotes coordinated data sharing across agencies while allowing each entity to maintain control of its systems. Establishing common quality standards and improving data reliability is expected to enhance safety and operational efficiency.
Integrated Digital Project Delivery focuses on connecting planning, construction and maintenance teams through shared digital models and user-friendly online tools. By centralizing accurate data, agencies can identify issues sooner and limit costly rework.
Subsurface Utility Engineering addresses one of the most persistent sources of highway project delays: unexpected utility conflicts. By mapping and locating underground utilities early in the planning process, agencies can avoid costly disruptions and safety hazards.
Finally, UAS 2.0 Innovative Infrastructure Management builds on the widespread adoption of drone technology. The updated approach enables transportation agencies to inspect and monitor critical infrastructure more safely and efficiently, supporting better long-term asset management.
The Every Day Counts program is intended to shorten the timeline between innovation and implementation. Rather than developing new technologies from scratch, the initiative focuses on scaling solutions that have already proven effective in the field.
As infrastructure investment continues nationwide, the expanded deployment of these tools could help states deliver projects more quickly, achieve improved safety outcomes, and strengthen cost control, all of which directly impact the automotive sector and the driving public.
