awards
outstanding transportation project
This award recognizes a specific, special transportation project in Indiana from a design standpoint. Projects nominated in this category may or may not have been constructed at the time of nomination, but should embody the criteria noted below.
Criteria
Projects nominated for this award shall have:
• Included design innovations that accommodate unusual features and/or circumstances such as environmental, historic, system configuration, unusual levels of non-motorized traffic, etc.;
• Incorporated significant public input;
• Included multi-modal accommodations;
• Included consideration of the social, economic, cultural, historic, etc., impacts and benefits derived from the project for the area served (for example, context-sensitive solutions).
Eligibility
Any designed or constructed transportation project that has not previously received an MPO Award in this category is eligible for nomination.
outstanding public involvement
This award recognizes an agency (local, state, federal, non-profit) in Indiana that has made a significant contribution toward involving the public in transportation planning programs and/or projects. The contribution could be in the area of policies, actions, or a specific project and is intended to recognize innovative and successful efforts.
Criteria
Projects nominated for this award shall have:
• Exhibited an innovative approach above and beyond “normal” or minimum public involvement practices and techniques;
• Displayed a comprehensive approach that recognizes the difficulties in achieving meaningful and significant participation;
• Achieved a measurable level of success as shown by numbers of people, input supporting the process, policy and/or acting, etc.;
• Provided a model for others to use and incorporate into their transportation planning and project efforts.
Eligibility
Any public input project, policy or action from any Indiana agency (local, state, federal, non-profit) that has not previously received an MPO Award in this category is eligible for nomination.
outstanding planning project
This award recognizes a specific Indiana Metropolitan Planning Organizations planning project that exemplifies the principals of good, sound transportation planning
Criteria
Projects nominated for this award shall have:
• Included comprehensive partnerships as advocated by the streamlined NEPA process;
• Fostered and facilitated an atmosphere conducive to building cooperation and collaboration;
• Included strong and meaningful public participation efforts;
• Fulfilled a significant gap/need for the area affected;
• Furthered the cause of good transportation planning programs and the benefits to be derived from the system, region or community being served.
Eligibility
Any Indiana MPO planning project that has not previously received an MPO Award in this category is eligible for nomination.
meritorious service by an individual
This award recognizes an individual employed by a MPO, state, or federal government agency who has made a significant contribution to the transportation planning operations carried out by the Indiana Metropolitan Planning Organizations. This award is intended to acknowledge appreciation of an individual who has provided exceptional assistance and support to the MPO agencies and transportation planning in general.
Criteria
Individuals nominated for this award shall have:
• Improved operations and services by initiating innovative approaches to government practices and procedures;
• Fostered and facilitated an atmosphere conducive to building cooperation and collaboration;
• Recognized the importance of transportation planning and the needs of the MPOs as illustrated by communication, timeliness of assistance and a willingness to go above and beyond in order to provide such assistance.
Eligibility
Any Indiana MPO planning project that has not previously received an MPO Award in this category is eligible for nomination.