The Indiana Department of Transportation’s use of “SMART Salt” technology provided the agency with an unprecedented level of salt use and stockpile accuracy, resulting in better material management. Costing $2 million, the SMART Salt system also proved useful in measuring stockpile data of other materials, including stone and, potentially, hard goods stored in bulk. Sharing SMART Salt technology with its partners such as the Indiana Local Technical Assistance Program, as well as other transportation agencies, counties, municipalities, and private industries, enabled industry wide efficiency gains. The program also improved planning, monitoring, material ordering, and material management efforts as well. Overall improvement in the accuracy of material estimating, usage, and monitoring results in more efficient utilization of taxpayer funds never attainable before on this scale.
America's Transportation Awards 