2024 Innovation Peer Exchange Final Report, Executive Summary, January 2025

(2025) 2024 Innovation Peer Exchange Final Report, Executive Summary, January 2025. Transportation, Department of

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Abstract

The Iowa Department of Transportation hosted a peer exchange from September 24 through 26, 2024, in Des Moines, Iowa, to discuss topics related to transportation research and innovation with other state departments of transportation (DOTs) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). The meeting and this report fulfill the agency’s obligation to conduct a periodic peer exchange as part of the federal State Planning & Research (SP&R) program (per Title 23, Part 420 of the Code of Federal Regulations). The peer exchange focused on two questions related to transportation innovation: 1. Programmatic aspects of innovation at different agencies and the challenges presented, framed as: “Innovation at your agency: who, what, how and why?” 2. Methodologies and strategies for spreading innovation, framed as: “How to encourage and promote innovation within a DOT and across a state.” Additional in-depth discussion focused on two areas of innovation support: hiring communication specialists and developing innovation strategic plans. The peer exchange concludes with a report-out on Iowa DOT’s strengths, opportunities for Iowa DOT, and key takeaways for all participants.