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
Applications are open
Download application 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.
2021 BBMT Entries
2021 State Competition extended through 2022.
2018 Town of Ulster Highway Department guiderail cleaner.
2019 Town of Ramapo Highway Department Build a Better Mousetrap entry - sidewalk salt brine applicator.
2020 National Build a Better Mousetrap Winner - Town of Niles Culvert Beaver Protector
Past BBMT Competitions
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
- 1st Place
Village of Baldwinsville Highway Department - Wing Cart
Video Available Here - 2nd Place
Town of Ramapo Highway Department - Salt Brine Applicator for Sidewalks
Video Available Here - 3rd Place
Rockland County Highway Department - Plow Blade Guide & Carrier - Other Entries
Thurston Highway Department - Excavator Wing
Video Available Here
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
- 1st Place
Town of Orangetown Highway Department - Hitch Witch - 2nd Place
Town of Ulster Highway Department - Under the Guide Rail Cleaner - 3rd Place
City of Beacon Highway Department - Confined Space Simulator - 4th Place
Town of Seneca Highway Department - Hydraulic Snow Fence Roller - Other Entries
- Town of Big Flats Highway Department - Under the Guide Rail Cleaner
- Town of Big Flats Highway Department - Storm Grate Puller
- Town of Urbana Highway Department - Guide Rail Maintainer
- Orange County Highway Department - Paved Shoulder
- Town of Rochester Highway Department - The Slider
- Town of Thurston Highway Department - 1957 Austin Western Roller
- Town of New Paltz Highway Department - Making Winter Easy