Traffic congestion – it’s a major cause of headaches and heartburn for U.S. transportation officials and the motoring public. With transportation infrastructure funding steadily declining, “innovation” has become the buzz word as government officials seek ways to mitigate growing traffic problems nationwide.
Photo by Daniel R. Blume licensed under CC BY 2.0
The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) is taking innovation to a new level. In what’s being called a first for the nation, the department is turning to the private sector to help solve traffic gridlock on Interstate 270. However, this time the approach is a little unconventional.
Instead of floating possible solutions of its own and asking for private-sector bids to complete projects, MDOT is dangling a $100 million “carrot” in front of private firms with possible solutions for traffic jams. The agency is seeking high-tech, private-sector solutions to gridlock on this heavily congested interstate highway.
Maryland Transportation Secretary Pete Rahn is calling the bid process “performance-based.” It will be awarded to the firm that has the best solution to move the most traffic – and move it faster. This procurement is for a concept, not for a dollar figure to pay for a project the government has drafted.
State transportation officials expect to issue a request for proposals in June. If successful, the proposed plan could be used to address traffic congestion on other state highways. The project is part of a nearly $2 billion transportation program announced a year ago by the governor.