TMC and I-29 SMART Corridor Earns North Dakota Engineering Award
The North Dakota Department of Transportation’s Transportation Management Center (TMC) and I-29 SMART Corridor has received a 2025 ACEC ND Engineering Excellence Award in the Studies, Research, and Consulting Engineering Services category. The project team was recognized at the organization’s spring conference on Wednesday, May 7.
The Engineering Excellence Awards competition recognizes engineering firms for projects that demonstrate an exceptional degree of innovation, complexity, achievement, and value. Submitted projects were scored on the following rating guidelines: uniqueness and/or innovative application of new or existing techniques; future value to the engineering profession and perception by the public; social, economic, and sustainable development considerations; complexity; and successful fulfillment of client/owner’s needs, including schedule and budget.
Project Overview
The TMC and I-29 SMART Corridor project, led by NDDOT in collaboration with Bolton & Menk Inc. and WSP, aimed to develop an innovative statewide TMC and a SMART Corridor along I-29. This project sought to enhance the management of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) devices, expand roadway monitoring to a 24/7/365 schedule, and streamline the deployment of advanced technologies. The project addressed significant challenges such as high crash rates, congestion, and the need for efficient traffic management, particularly in the Fargo and Grand Forks areas.
Key Achievements
- Innovation and Design: The project implemented cutting-edge technologies, including variable speed limits, remote road closure gates, ramp metering, dynamic lane assignments, and smart traffic signals. These innovations are expected to positively influence 78 percent of crashes on I-29 and reduce peak hour delays by 75 percent.
- Quality and Excellence: The high-quality construction and attention to detail are evident in the development of the TMC, which aims to reduce identification and response times to half their original length. This improvement is crucial for managing critical events such as crashes and inclement weather.
- Complexity and Integration: The project used a digital database twin to analyze I-29 and quantify the benefits of proposed improvements. This innovative approach layered statewide crash data, response times, big data reports, and road weather information systems to understand the correlation between events and safety, response, and delay ramifications.
Award Criteria
The ACEC North Dakota Engineering Excellence Award in Category A: Studies, Research, and Consulting Engineering Services is presented to outstanding projects that demonstrate design resourcefulness, construction innovation, and significant impact. The TMC and I-29 SMART Corridor project meets all these criteria, showcasing collaboration, innovation, and excellence. This project not only improves safety and efficiency but also sets a new standard for transportation management in North Dakota.
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