TRENTON, N.J. — The New Jersey Department of Transportation’s Advanced Traffic Management System has been named one of 12 finalists in the 2026 America’s Transportation Awards competition, according to NJDOT.
The $6 million project was recognized in the Best Use of Technology & Innovation category for projects costing up to $10 million. The 12 national finalists were selected from 127 projects nominated by 45 state transportation departments, according to NJDOT.
“I am honored and proud that NJDOT has been named a national finalist in America’s Transportation Awards,” NJDOT Commissioner Priya Jain said. “Governor Mikie Sherrill is committed to making New Jersey State Government more modern, efficient and innovative to meet the needs of our constituents. Our ATMS project demonstrates how NJDOT is implementing the Governor’s vision by innovating traffic management systems to make New Jersey safer and less congested, which improves the quality of life for our residents and visitors.”
The America’s Transportation Awards competition is sponsored by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, AAA and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Projects compete in categories covering quality of life and community development, operations excellence, technology and innovation, and safety.
NJDOT said its Advanced Traffic Management System allows the department to respond in real time to crashes and other roadway events, helping with incident clearance, congestion management and safety.
The system is integrated with NJDOT’s statewide lane closure management system and generates automated reports for 1,000 dynamic message signs and closed-circuit television cameras. According to NJDOT, the technology saves about 1,460 staff hours annually.
The system also reduced the time required to develop and post statewide Amber Alert messages from about 20 minutes to 90 seconds, NJDOT said.
The competition includes a National Grand Prize selected by an independent panel of transportation industry experts and a People’s Choice Award determined through online voting. Public votes are weighted based on each state’s population.
Voting is scheduled to continue through 11:59 p.m. Nov. 15. Individuals may cast one vote per day on each device.
Winners are expected to be announced during the AASHTO Annual Meeting in Louisville, Kentucky, scheduled for Nov. 15-18. Each winning project will receive $10,000 to donate to a transportation-related charity or scholarship program.
Voting and additional information about the competition are available at AmericasTransportationAwards.org.
