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

Entry Forms Now Available

Download the entry form for the Build a Better Mousetrap Competition!

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 (including COVID-19 safety), reduces costs, improves efficiency, or improves the quality of transportation.

Remember, we are looking for self-made creative projects developed in-house but 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 some examples or check out last year's submissions.

2022 BBMT Entries

To view the technical drawings for the Washington County Culvert Cleaner, please click here. 

Long metal pipe attached to a backhoe going into a culvert
A picture of a metal cage surrounding a plastic culvert pipe in water.
A picture of a tank of liquid mounted to a truck bed.
A picture of a skid steer with an attachment that cleans under guiderail.

2022 Washington County DPW Culvert Cleaner

2020 National Build a Better Mousetrap Winner - Town of Niles Culvert Beaver Protector

2019 Town of Ramapo Highway Department Build a Better Mousetrap entry - sidewalk salt brine applicator.

2018 Town of Ulster Highway Department guiderail cleaner.

Past BBMT Competitions

2022 Build a Better Mousetrap State Competition Winners:

  • 1st place - The Washington County DPW - Culvert Cleaner 
  • 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

All entries have been submitted to the National Build A Better Mousetrap Competition, check back at the end of July to see if New York State takes home another National 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