UDOT has announced 15 finalists for the 2026 Innovation Awards from a pool of 82 submitted innovations, according to a notice posted to the UDOT employee resources site.
Each member of the development teams for these finalists will receive $50 to reward their innovation efforts.
The finalists are divided into three distinct categories. The Spark Award for Inventive Innovation of 2026 recognizes innovations in materials, equipment, and tools. Finalists in this category include projects such as Beaver Dam Analogs, a Damaged Guardrail Post Extractor and Cable Lifter Tool located in the Cedar City Shed, a Fast and Efficient Weed Spray Mixing System at the Purgatory Shed, an FRS to Water Truck Conversion for Summer Maintenance, and Steel Girder Galvanization.
The Enhance Award for Adaptive Innovation of 2026 honors technology and information innovations. Finalists include a Dedicated Heavy Equipment Training Area, an Equipment Tracker Dashboard, LiDAR at Intersections, LiDAR used to estimate pavement marking retroreflectivity, and Sign Installation Training.
The Flow Award for Innovative Process of 2026 showcases impactful process improvement projects. Finalists include AI Culvert Inspection, AI for streamlining grant alignment and readiness program applications, a Facilities Management and Asset Tracking System, ITS Conduit Mapping, and a move toward digital construction inspection.
Winners for the awards will be announced in the UDOT Newsletter in early October.
