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.




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
- 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