HARRISBURG, PA — PennDOT is asking Pennsylvania high school students to develop ways to prevent over-height vehicles from striking bridges and tunnels, targeting collisions that have hit more than 600 bridges statewide in recent years and caused traffic disruptions, emergency responses and repair costs.
The 10th annual PennDOT Innovations Challenge is open to students in grades 9 through 12, with proposals due Jan. 29, 2027.
This year’s competition focuses on identifying potential height hazards before a collision occurs. Student teams are being asked to devise solutions that protect infrastructure while improving safety and limiting disruptions to travelers and communities.
PennDOT attributed the problem partly to the age of Pennsylvania’s transportation infrastructure. Many bridges and tunnels were built when commercial trucks, trailers and recreational vehicles were smaller than their modern counterparts.
Even relatively minor strikes can force lane closures, generate congestion, require emergency responses and lead to costly repairs, according to the department. The resulting disruptions can also affect businesses, schools and emergency services.
“Bridge strikes are not only costly and time consuming, but they are a safety hazard to Pennsylvania travelers,” PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll stated. “We’re looking to our most ambitious and creative youth to generate some innovative solutions to this all-too-common issue.”
The challenge comes as Pennsylvania continues broader work on its road and bridge network. Under Gov. Josh Shapiro’s administration, 21,852 miles of roadway have been improved and work has advanced on 1,988 state and local bridges, according to PennDOT.
The state’s enacted 2026-27 budget will provide an additional $775 million over the next two fiscal years for shovel-ready projects involving state-owned roads.
Regional winners of the Innovations Challenge will present their proposals to Carroll and a panel of judges, which will select the statewide winner.
PennDOT is working with the Transportation Policy and Education Foundation, American Council of Engineering Companies of Pennsylvania, Mid-Atlantic Section of the Institute of Transportation Engineers and Intelligent Transportation Society of Pennsylvania to provide a monetary award to the winning team. The award amount will be posted later on the challenge webpage.
Complete competition requirements are available at https://www.pa.gov/agencies/penndot/research-planning-and-innovation/innovation-at-penndot/innovations-challenge.
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