NOCoE News: 9th Annual Transportation Technology Tournament Winner Announced

Plus, NOCoE talks Smart Curb & Truck Parking at IPMI 2026
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July 23, 2026

Table of Contents

2026 TTT Winner
2026 IPMI Highlights
New TSMO Case Studies
Webinar Recordings
Upcoming Webinars
Industry News

Iowa State University Wins the 2026 Transportation Technology Tournament 

Out of 15 competing teams, Iowa State University won the 9th annual Transportation Technology Tournament (TTT) for their work on a Connected Vehicle–based queue warning system aimed at addressing secondary crashes on rural interstates. The announcement was made at the ITE Annual Meeting plenary session on July 21, 2026, by Nicholas Ramfos, NOCoE Director.

This year’s focus on TSMO and Safe Systems approaches yielded solutions ranging from queue warning systems to pedestrian safety.  
READ MORE

Smart Curb & Truck Parking: IPMI 2026 Panel Highlights

Truck parking ranks as the No. 1 issue for truck drivers nationally, costing the average driver nearly $7,000 per year in lost time and productivity. With rapid e-commerce growth and surging curbside demand, transportation agencies must rethink freight and parking management to address these critical shortages and safety risks. 

Last month NOCoE hosted “Smart Curb & Truck Parking: Operations, Safety & Innovation” at the IPMI Conference and Expo. Panelists presented urban and state case studies covering innovative loading-zone strategies, national parking data, and multi-state Truck Parking Information Management Systems using real-time sensors and digital signs. The session delivered actionable strategies to enhance real-time freight systems, safety, and efficiency. 
WATCH THE HIGHLIGHTS HERE

New TSMO Case Studies:
Real-world innovation & insights

NOCoE has released three new case studies showcasing the latest innovation in action across state Departments of Transportation:
  • Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s TSMO training course, delivered to over 600 practitioners, creates a safety-first framework for TSMO across all disciplines statewide
  • Florida DOT’s connected vehicles guidance document synthesizes insights from 70+ vehicle-to-everything projects into a scalable framework to advance deployments
  • New Jersey DOT developed supplemental security standards for connected devices and networks that supports its transportation operations
Find these insights below. 
VISIT THE CASE STUDY LIBRARY

Webinar Recordings

TOM Talks (July 2026): TOM Advanced Integrated TSMO Tactical Strategies & ICM
Connected and Automated Vehicles: Practical Use Cases

Upcoming Webinars

TMS Emerging Topics Series: Opportunities for TMSs to Use AI/ML
August 11, 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. EDT

Description
This webinar will focus on opportunities for traffic management systems (TMSs) to use artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML). 
With exponential availability and growth in data generation capabilities, advancements in data storage/advanced computing techniques (e.g., cloud storage, edge computing), and innovations in algorithmic techniques (e.g., deep learning, machine vision, improved model accuracy), there is a great potential for AI/ML to enhance the safety, mobility, productivity, and operational efficiency of our surface transportation systems including TMSs. This webinar covers how to:
  • Identify potential day-to-day operational functions or tasks performed by TMS operators, which may be conducted or improved by using AI/ML (e.g., automate retrieving of video recordings and responding to information requests)
  • Assess challenges or issues (e.g., ability to modify software, existence of or ability to modify algorithms that are not proprietary, ability to monitor and evaluate the value added versus how functions and actions are currently performed) when considering potential opportunities to assess the capability, resources, and potential for AI/ML to improve or perform specific TMS functions or actions.
     
Previous webinars and associated information is available here.

This webinar is part of an ongoing series focused on emerging TMS topics. It is hosted by the Traffic Management Center Pooled Fund Study and co-sponsored by the NOCoE and FHWA.
REGISTER
Talking TIM: August 2026
August 22, 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. EDT

Description
The Talking TIM webinar series provides a forum where TIM practitioners can exchange information about current practices, programs, and technologies. Each month, Talking TIM will highlight successful programs, identify best practices, and showcase technology that advances the profession. August topics and speakers will be announced in the weeks ahead of the webinar. 

Jim Austrich, FHWA Office of Operations, organizes and moderates this webinar series hosted by NOCoE. To suggest topics or presenters for a future webinar, please reach out to the FHWA TIM Program Team (Jim Austrich). 

Subscribe to the FHWA TIM news bulletins to receive the latest information related to the Talking TIM webinar and other TIM-related announcements.
REGISTER

 Professional Development Hours Available

NOCoE provides Professional Development Hours (PDHs) for all live webinar attendees. PDHs are provided in collaboration with AASHTO, based on guidance provided by National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES). 

LEARN MORE

Industry News

Cleveland Road Murals Aim To Improve Traffic Safety (WEWS-TV)
 Pennsylvania DOT Launches Specialized 511PA Website For I-376 (Parkway East) Closure (Pennsylvania DOT)
Peachtree Corners, Georgia Targets Autonomous Mobility Commercialization (Cities Today)
Maryland adds truck parking spaces at South Mountain Welcome Centers (Truckers News)
Students build bridges, explore engineering careers at MoDOT Youth Conference (News Tribune)
Illinois DOT, Illinois State Police break ground on TIM track training facility (Illinois DOT news video)
SCDOT & SCDPS Hold Lane Reversal Exercise for Emergency Preparedness (SCDOT news video)
ALDOT engineer helps prepare Alabama’s next generation of “Safe Drivers” (Alabama DOT news release)
LA uses World Cup to show off upgraded public transit and test plans to hold car-free Olympics (AP)
Wisconsin DOT supporting annual ‘Trooper in a Truck’ enforcement and education campaign (Wisconsin DOT news release)
Inside Washington State DOT’s Traffic Management Center (KIRO-TV video)
Florida DOT joins 9th-annual ‘Operation Southern Slow Down’ campaign that encourages responsible driving behaviors to help keep roads safe (Florida DOT news release)
Ohio launches road safety campaign as pedestrian crashes rise (WTAP-TV)
CTDOT Reminds Drivers to Slow Down This Summer (Connecticut DOT news release)
Minnesota DOT Testing Work Zone Speed Cameras (WCCO Radio)
NYSDOT Begins Major Expansion of Automated Work Zone Speed Enforcement Program (NYSDOT news release)
South Dakota DOT to reduce speeds, place temporary traffic devices during 2026 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in August (South Dakota DOT news release)
Expanding Transportation Careers for Black Workers (WHUR Radio video)
NCDOT Announces New Transit Partnership Projects to Expand Mobility Statewide (NCDOT news release)
Improving Louisiana Highway Safety Through Expanded Truck Parking Planning (Louisiana DOTD news release)
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About the National Operations Center of Excellence 

 
National Operations Center of Excellence (NOCoE) provides services to the transportation systems management and operations (TSMO) community to saves lives, improve travel times, and enhance economic vitality. With an emphasis on workforce development, NOCoE aims to assist in the deployment of technologies and the mainstreaming of TSMO solutions by fostering education, networking, communication, and knowledge transfer.

For more information, please visit www.transportationops.org.
Contact Us
National Operations Center of Excellence
555 12th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20004
Ph: 202.624.5478

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