STIC and Local Government

Local municipalities maintain over 78,000 miles of roadway and 6,400 bridge structures in Pennsylvania. Maintaining these vast and aging assets requires innovation and collaboration. The STIC engages local governments to identify, pilot, and promote innovations. These innovations improve efficiency and safety while reducing environmental impacts.

image of bridge culvert on the road

How STIC Works With Local Governments

Local public agencies are recognized as essential partners. 

STIC members include representatives from:

  • Rural Planning Organizations (RPOs) and Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs)
  • The Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors (PSATS)
  • The Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs (PSAB)

These local members help the STIC to consider how new innovations will impact local governments, including operations and assets. Individuals from local governments may get involved as an Innovation Owner or Development Team member. In these roles, they can help guide an innovation through the Innovation Development Process.

We also encourage local governments to email the STIC Management Team at penndotstic@pa.gov with innovation suggestions. 

Training And Partnership Opportunities

The STIC frequently partners with local governments, FHWA, and other programs in PennDOT to provide training opportunities. A few examples include the Salt and Snow Management Course, the High Friction Surface Treatment Demonstration Day, the pilot Local Government Innovation Day, and the Local Government Safety Seminar. These efforts represent an important part of the Pennsylvania STIC's commitment to foster a culture of innovation at all levels of government in Pennsylvania.

The Pennsylvania Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) provides training, technical assistance, and other customer services to municipal elected officials and their staff.

Local Government Safety Seminar

In collaboration with PennDOT and FHWA, the STIC hosted the first-of-its-kind Local Government Safety Seminar at the Farm Show Complex, Harrisburg, in July 2017. 

The daylong event focused on:

  • Planning targeted safety improvements on local roads to help reduce the overall number of crashes in Pennsylvania that result in injury and death.
  • Cost-effective countermeasures to improve safety and foster a safety culture in communities.
  • Potential funding sources for safety improvement projects.

PennDOT Local Government Seminar

Local Government Safety Seminar at the Farm Show Complex, Harrisburg, in July 2017.

Local Government Case Study

The Salt and Snow Management Course provides a prime example of the power of collaboration between the Pennsylvania STIC and local governments. The program was funded in partnership by the PennDOT Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) and the Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) STIC Incentive Funding. In its first year, 29 on-site classes were held in 25 counties, training more than 600 participants. The training shared techniques on winter maintenance best practices. It also promoted operational efficiencies so municipalities can meet Pennsylvania's Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4) requirements. This STIC initiative was so successful that the class is now a standard LTAP training course.

Additional Resources