PennDot Innovations Challenge

The Pennsylvania Department of Education is pleased to announce that the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is launching its ninth annual Innovations Challenge, which encourages students to use their problem-solving, creative and strategic-thinking abilities to solve real-world transportation challenges in a competition among their peers. The Innovations Challenge is open to all students in grades 9-12, regardless of their school’s learning model.

For this year’s challenge, students are asked to develop a concept for the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in work zones to dramatically improve safety for work crews and road users. The concept must outline how PennDOT can use smarter systems to prevent crashes and protect those who are working to build a better Pennsylvania. The concept should also take into consideration cost-benefit information, statewide deployment implications, as well as public outreach. 

For complete Innovations Challenge details, visit www.penndot.pa.gov/innovation and click on the PennDOT Innovations Challenge link. The submission deadline is January 30, 2026. 

Please share this information with all faculty members and encourage all eligible students within your school to participate.

For questions or more information, email PennDOT’s Bureau of Strategic Business Operations at DOTInnovations@pa.gov.