CALL FOR ENTRIES
www. dot. ca. gov/ awards
PURPOSE
The Excellence in
Transportation
competition is conducted
annually by the California
Department of Transportation
( Caltrans) to recognize excellence
in transportation design, construction,
traffi c operations, maintenance,
planning, and improvements
throughout California.
ELIGIBILITY
Caltrans districts and corporate
programs, local agencies and others,
including their consultants and
contractors, may enter any project
located in California designed or
constructed by that agency, fi rm,
or person( s). The entry must be a
public transportation improvement
or new project completed in the
last three calendar years inclusive
of the current year, and presently
in use. Projects submitted in previous
competitions may be resubmitted if
completed during the aforementioned
time span. Winning projects from
previous years are ineligible. A project
may be entered in one category only.
RECOGNITION
AND AWARDS
Two awards may be given in each
category and subcategory; one for
a state project and one for a local
agency or private sector project.
Award plaques will consist of one
plaque for each entity identifi ed
on the entry form ( maximum of
four plaques per project). Individuals
contributing to a winning project
will receive certifi cates of recognition.
JUDGING
Winning entries will be selected
by a panel of judges not employed
by the California Department of
Transportation. Award winners
will be announced in March of
the upcoming calendar year.
EXCELLENCE IN TRANSPORTATION
San Francisco LED Pedestrian and
SEND ENTRIES TO:
Awards Coordinator
California Department of Transportation
Division of Public Affairs, MS 49
1120 N Street, Room 1200
Sacramento, CA 95814
( 916) 653- 8879
ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION
A total of four entities may be
identifi ed as partners in a project.
These may include other Caltrans
districts, regions and programs;
state, federal or local government
partners; consultants; and private
sector enterprises.
GENERAL CRITERIA
1. Innovative engineering,
design or construction
2. Functional effi ciency
3. Safety, maintenance
and operational factors
4. Compatibility with
or enhancement of
the environment
5. Preservation/ conservation
of natural resources
6. Visual appeal or impact
7. Quality of user experience
8. Cost benefi t ratio
ENTRY DEADLINE
Applications must be received by
the Caltrans Awards Coordinator
on the fi rst Thursday in November
of each calendar year by 5: 00 p. m.
All entries submitted by Caltrans
districts and programs must be
reviewed and approved for submittal
by that district or program director
( form letter available on Caltrans
Excellence Awareness website).
ENTRY FORMS ARE
AVAILABLE ONLINE AT:
www. dot. ca. gov/ awards
For individuals with sensory
disabilities, this document is
available in Braille, large print, on
audio cassette, or computer disk.
To obtain a copy of these alternate
formats, please call or write the
Caltrans Awards Coordinator.
AWARDS CALL FOR ENTRIES
Vehicular Traffi c Signal Upgrade
ENTRY
REQUIREMENTS
Entries must consist of the following,
arranged in the order listed below:
1. Six collated sets of the entry
and narrative. Please do not
staple or enclose in plastic
sleeves. You may paperclip
each set.
2. A list of persons contributing
to the project ( no more
than 10).
3. A total of four 8” x10” color
photos ( of professional
quality — no digital printouts)
displaying two different views
of the project — two photos
of each project view. DO NOT
enclose photos in plastic sleeves;
DO place cardboard stays
around photos to protect
during mailing.
4. Label each print with project
title, location, award category
and name of entrant. Do not
print directly on photo. Use
label that has been marked
prior to adhering to the back
of the photo.
5. If using Caltrans photos,
identifying data assigned
by photo lab must appear
on back of photos.
Entry forms are available at:
www. dot. ca. gov/ awards
6. Submit no more than the
required number of prints.
Collages of smaller pictures
may be submitted in the
format of 8” x10” prints.
7. All materials entered become
the property of Caltrans and
will not be returned.
8. All pictures taken by
photographers other than
Caltrans staff photographers
must include a signed
photographer’s release giving
Caltrans the right to use
and reproduce the photos
in any manner without
exception or additional charge
( photographer’s release form
available on Caltrans Excellence
Awareness website).
San Ysidro Intermodal Transportation Center
ENTRY CATEGORIES
1. INTERMODAL TRANSPORTATION
■ Commuter/ passenger rail, light rail, transit, airline, or other
system- wide approach to integrated transportation
■ Connectivity/ interface with multiple transportation modes
■ Effectiveness in reducing highway congestion
■ Enhancement of the transportation system
2. THE HIGHWAY: RURAL
■ Alignment and design
■ Preservation of the environment
■ Reintroduction of native vegetation
■ Use of innovative materials or processes
3. THE HIGHWAY: URBAN
■ Relationship to surroundings
■ Effective congestion relief
■ Safety improvements
■ Enhancement of the transportation system
4. MAJOR STRUCTURES
■ Bridges, tunnels, overpasses, or interchanges, etc.
■ Visual impact
■ Selection of structural confi guration and materials
■ Innovative design or construction methods
5. THE ENVIRONMENT
■ Landscape design, environmental technology, environmental
enhancement, conservation, protection/ mitigation/ restoration,
beautifi cation, scenic preservation or improvement, etc.
■ Unique or unusual challenges resolved
■ Preservation or rehabilitation of existing structures
■ Native plant reintroduction
■ Improvement of urban environment
■ Use of recycled materials
■ Conservation of natural resources
Shotgun Point Landslide Repair
6. TRANSPORTATION
RELATED FACILITIES
■ Traveler facilities, noise barriers, roadside
rests, pedestrian and bicycle facilities,
parking facilities, etc.
■ Compatibility with environment
■ Use of recycled materials
■ Ease of construction
■ Signage and graphics
7. SYSTEM OPERATIONS
■ Operational improvements, cost savings
■ Improved transportation system performance
■ Improved or innovative procedure,
material or equipment
■ Wide applicability
8. SAFETY
■ Reduction in
accidents/ injuries
■ Broad applicability
9. HISTORIC PRESERVATION/
CULTURAL ENHANCEMENT
■ Preservation and/ or restoration of historic,
archeological, natural and cultural resources,
cultural/ social enhancement, transportation art
■ Rehabilitation and integration
■ Interpretation
■ Community benefi ts
■ Community involvement
San Mateo/ Hayward Bridge Mini Toll Plaza
Bubble Curtain Technology
San Francisco- Oakland Bay Bridge
Litter Enforcement
Committee
10. MAINTENANCE — OPERATIONS OR EQUIPMENT
( PLEASE SPECIFY ONE OR THE OTHER)
■ Roadside management, roadway maintenance, litter reduction,
stormwater quality improvement, community outreach, resource
conservation, cost reduction, safety improvement, user benefi ts
■ Unique or improved procedures
■ Improved public relations
■ Innovative equipment and processes
12. TRANSPORTATION INNOVATIONS
■ Crosscutting, solution driven, integrated approaches to improving
mobility across California
■ New and improved products, materials, procedures, and processes
■ Immediate and responsive
■ Practical and deployable
■ State of the practice
13. PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGNS
■ One- time or ongoing effort to inform public of transportation
projects and programs, i. e. route closures, new construction,
safety campaigns, environmental enhancement
■ Need for and objective of campaign
■ Target audience
■ Clarity of message and theme
■ Results
11. CONTEXT SENSITIVE SOLUTIONS
■ Innovative and conclusive approaches that integrate
and balance community, aesthetic, historic, and
environmental value with transportation safety,
maintenance, and performance goals
■ Consistency with the “ context”
■ Application of design fl exibility
■ Responsiveness to community or resource issues
■ Public involvement process
■ Community/ resource agency support
San Bernardino
Santa Fe Depot Rehabilitation
Cover photo: Carquinez Bridge
Awards Coordinator
California Department of Transportation
DIvision of Public Affairs, MS 49
1120 N Street, Room 1200
Sacramento, CA 95814