cornell roads

Build a Better Mousetrap Competition

NYS LTAP Center - Cornell Local Roads Program

Have you or one of your co-workers built an innovative gadget or developed an improved way to do a job?

Well, now is the time to show off a project your agency is proud of in our Build a Better Mousetrap Competition!

We are looking for something that you, your employees, or crew designed and built; it can be anything from the development of tools or equipment modifications, to a new process that increases safety, reduces costs, improves efficiency and/or improves the quality of transportation.

Questions? Give us a call at 607-255-8033 or email us at clrp [at] cornell.edu (clrp[at]cornell[dot]edu)

Entry Forms Now Available

Entry forms are available online or can be downloaded. 

What should I submit?

All local transportation agencies in New York State are welcome to enter and departments may submit more than one entry. We are looking for something that you or your employees designed, built, or implemented. Entries can be anything from the tool or equipment modifications, to a new process that increases safety, reduces costs, improves efficiency, or improves the quality of transportation.

Remember, we are looking for self-made creative projects developed in-house your submissions do not necessarily have to be physical modifications to equipment or “gadgetry.” New methods of using technology, an innovative way to manage assets, or a useful strategy for dealing with the public can all be great innovations!

Please include high-quality digital images with your entry. Videos are also encouraged and are worth points in the national competition.

Not sure what to submit? Check out last year's submissions.

2024 BBMT Entries

Statewide Winners

  • 1st place - Town of Highlands - Water Difuser
  • 2nd place & Winner of the People's Choice Award- Village of Warwick - The Fin-isher
  • 3rd place - Village of Pawling - Pool Noodle Plow Marker

Honorable mentions 

  • Town of Genesee - Shoulder Cleaner 
  • Town of Orangetown - Soil Sifter
  • Town of Salem - Plow Marker & Un Rolled Road Fabric 

Past BBMT Competitions

2023 BBMT Entries

Statewide Winners

  • 1st place - Washington County - Guiderail Grader Video 
  • 2nd place - Washington County - Plow Frame Installation  Video
  • 3rd place & Winner of the People's Choice Award - Town of Rutland - Cold Patch Application Video
  • 4th place - Town of Riverhead - Highway Arch

Honorable mentions 

  • Town of Cleveland - A Better Mousetrap 
  • Town of Preble - Informative Community Card
  • Town of Lansing - Informative Renovation Project 

2022 Build a Better Mousetrap State Competition Winners:

  • 1st place - The Washington County DPW - Culvert Cleaner 
    Video & Technical drawings 
  • 2nd place - The Town of Broome Highway Department - Sander Chain Installation Jig
  • 3rd place - The Town of Hamburg Highway Department - Resident Concern Tracking Process
  • 4th place - Washington County - Safety Day's Training Event

Other Entries: 

  • The Chenango County DPW - Water Truck 
  • The Town of Ghent Highway Department - Truck Tailgate Lift System 
  • The Town of Granville Highway Department - Chute Shaker 
  • The Town of Riga Highway Department - Shoulder Backup Roller
  • The Village of Warwick DPW FinzBoni

National Recognition 

  • Washington County - Culvert Cleaner
    Pioneer Award Winner & The overall National Winner 
  • Town of Broome - Sander Chain Installation Jig 
    Honorable mention - Pioneer Award
  • Town of Hamburg - Resident Concern Tracking Process
    Honorable mention - Pioneer Award
  • Washington County - Safety Days
    Honorable Mention - SMART Transformation Award 
  • The Chenango County DPW - Water Truck 
    Honorable Mention - Innovative Project Award
  • The Town of Granville Highway Department - Chute Shaker
    Honorable mention - Pioneer Award
  • The Town of Riga Highway Department - Shoulder Backup Roller 
    Honorable Mention - Pioneer Award
  • The Village of Warwick DPW FinzBoni
    Honorable mention - Innovative Project Award

2020 BBMT National Winner

  • 1st Place Overall - Town of Niles Highway Department Beaver Pipe Cage
  • 1st Place Innovative Project Category - Town of Niles Highway Department Beaver Pipe Cage

Download Plans for the Beaver Pipe Cage

 

2020 Build a Better Mousetrap State Competition Winners:

  • 1st Place - Madison County Wing Stop
  • 2nd Place - Town of Niles Highway Department Beaver Pipe Cage
  • 3rd Place - Town of Perry Highway Department Doc's Wheel
    Polishing Contraption
  • 4th Place - Town of Sherburne Highway Department Asset Management Program

2020 Highlight Videos

2019 BBMT Entries and State Winners

2018 BBMT National Competition

City of Beacon Highway Department wins 1st Place in the National Build a Better Mousetrap Competition under the category of Inspection and Data Collection!

Winners were announced at the 2018 National LTAP Association Conference in New Orleans Louisiana. There were 26 submittal spanning 12 states in the competition.

2018 BBMT Entries and State Winners