TAC Technical Achievement Awards

Abstract submission for the 2024 TAC Technical Achievement Awards has now closed.

All applicants will be notified of their application status in mid-December. For each award, up to four finalists will be selected and invited to submit a detailed application by January 31, 2024.

If you have any questions, please contact Christine De Grandpré, Program Manager, Learning.

Click on an award title below to learn more and apply.

Application process, eligibility and conditions

Application process

November 30 – Deadline for applicants to submit abstracts (up to 750 words) to be considered for the following year’s awards. A panel of volunteers from the relevant TAC council and/or committees will evaluate the abstracts for each award.

December 15 – For each award, TAC invites up to four finalists to submit detailed applications.

January 31 – Deadline for finalists to submit detailed applications (up to 10 pages including text and graphics). A panel of volunteers from the relevant TAC council and/or committees will evaluate the detailed applications for each award, and recommend a winner to be confirmed by the council.

May – Award winners announced.

Eligibility

Eligible organizations – Award applicants must be a TAC member organization and the initiative’s principal owner; joint applicants are not allowed unless the initiative is an equal partnership of two or more organizations. Due to these conditions, consultants generally may not apply on behalf of (or jointly with) government clients. Award applicants may request that TAC acknowledge their consultants and/or other organizations as “project partners” in communications.

Eligible initiatives – An initiative submitted for consideration must be substantially complete at the time of submission. An initiative that represents one element of a larger project may be submitted for consideration before the entire project is complete. Initiatives must be located in Canada.

Multiple submissions – A single initiative may be submitted for multiple awards if each application reflects a distinct perspective or element of that initiative (e.g. technology, safety, education).

Repeat submissions – An initiative may be submitted for consideration for the same award in two different years if it is not accepted as a finalist in the first year.

Conditions

Webinar – Finalists for each award agree to present their initiatives during a TAC webinar.

Publication – Detailed applications submitted by award finalists become the property of TAC, and will be published through the TAC Library online catalogue.

Authorization – Submissions made by individuals without the consent of the appropriate eligible organization will not be considered.

 

Active Transportation Achievement Award

This award recognizes initiatives that demonstrate excellence in the improvement of facilities or services to encourage and benefit people who walk, bike or use other forms of active transportation.

Evaluation criteria

Outcomes – The initiative has improved the overall safety and attractiveness of active transportation, and has led to an increase in the use of active modes with resulting social, economic or environmental benefits.

Innovation – The initiative involves elements that are innovative within a Canadian context, in areas such as active transportation planning, design, operation, regulation, education, promotion, monitoring or reporting.

Transferability –The initiative is relevant to active transportation programs in other jurisdictions, and offers lessons that can be applied elsewhere.

Recipients

View detailed applications of award winners and finalists since 2022, when the award was created (via the TAC Library catalogue).

2023 City of Ottawa in partnership with Robinson Consultants Inc.
Montreal Road Revitalization
2022 City of Toronto in partnership with IBI Group
ActiveTO Midtown Complete Street pilot project

 

Climate Action Achievement Award

This award recognizes initiatives that demonstrate excellence in mitigating emissions from transportation that cause climate change, and/or in improving the resiliency of transportation systems in response to climate change.

Evaluation criteria

Outcomes – The initiative has reduced actual or projected greenhouse gas emissions from transportation, and/or made transportation infrastructure or operations more resilient to the expected impacts of climate change.

Innovation – The initiative involves elements that are innovative within a Canadian context, in areas such as infrastructure planning or design, transportation system operations, transportation demand management, or the application of technology.

Transferability – The initiative is relevant to climate change challenges facing other jurisdictions, and offers lessons that can be applied elsewhere.

Recipients

View detailed applications of award winners and finalists since 2022, when the award was created (via the TAC Library catalogue).

2023 British Columbia Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure in partnership with McElhanney Ltd.
Culvert Vulnerability Asset Management System.
2022 Ville de Montréal
Transportation Electrification Strategy 

 

Environmental Achievement Award

View detailed applications of award winners and finalists since 2020 (via the TAC Library catalogue). Detailed applications of award winners before 2020 are available here

This award recognizes a TAC member organization for initiatives that demonstrate excellence in the protection and enhancement of the natural environment through transportation projects.

Evaluation criteria

Outcomes – The initiative has resulted in environmental protection (i.e. retention or minimized diminution of the quality or value of ecological components) and enhancement (i.e. improved quality or value of the environment that existed before the initiative). Outcomes may be expressed in terms of resource function, quantity, ecological diversity and/or economic benefits. Applicants are strongly encouraged to include quantitative evidence of cost-effectiveness.

Innovation –The initiative involves elements that are innovative within a Canadian context, in areas such as planning, design, construction/implementation, consultation or financing.

Transferability –The initiative is relevant to environmental challenges in other jurisdictions, and offers lessons that can be applied elsewhere with benefits for other TAC members and the transportation sector.

Previous recipients

2023 Alberta Ministry of Transportation and Economic Corridors
Alberta Wildlife Watch
2022 Regional Municipality of Durham
Victoria Street Reconstruction and Widening
2021 Stantec Consulting Ltd. in partnership with the Ontario Ministry of Transportation, & the Ontario Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks
Stormwater Management Pond Sediment Beneficial Reuse Pilot Project
2020 City of Ottawa, Ontario
Going Green by Seeing the Greens

2019

Regional Municipality of York
Bayview Corridor Project

2018

Regional Municipality of York
2nd Concession Project

2017

City of Toronto
Clean Roads to Clean Air Program

2016

Ministry of Transportation, Ontario
Rt. Hon. Herb Gray Parkway – A Parkway in a Prairie

2015

Ministère des Transports du Québec
Research and innovative practices with respect to pavement markings

2014

Dillon Consulting Limited and the City of Ottawa
Terry Fox Drive, March Road to Kanata Avenue: Road Ecology Design Influences

2013

Ministère des Transports du Québec
Drainage Management System in the Stoneham-Tewkesbury Section of the Highway 73/175 Reconstruction Project

2012

Transportation Investment Corporation, a Crown agency of British Columbia Transportation and Infrastructure
Wilson Farm Habitat Enhancement Project at Colony Farm Regional Park

2011

Ministère des Transports du Québec and Roche Ltée., Groupe-conseil
Environmental Monitoring Program for the Reconstruction of Highway 175 in the Laurentian Wildlife Reserve

2009

Ontario Ministry of Transportation and Transport Canada
The Detroit River International Crossing Environmental Assessment Study

2008

British Columbia Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
The Sea-to-Sky Highway Improvement Project

2007

British Columbia Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
Kicking Horse Canyon Project

2006

Nova Scotia Transportation and Public Works
Habitat Banking for HADD and Wetland Compensation: New Partnership Opportunities and Significant Environmental, Economic and Community Benefits

2005

British Columbia Ministry of Transportation
Environmental Enhancement Fund: Achieving Environmental Sustainability for Transportation Infrastructure

2004

City of Edmonton
Winter Street Sand Recycling Program

2003

City of Hamilton
The Red Hill Valley Project - "More Than a Road"

2002

Ministère des Transports du Québec
Controlling Highway Corridor Vegetation - The New Québec Approach

2001

Calgary Transit
Ride the Wind! Project

2000

Insurance Corporation of British Columbia
Partnerships in Winter Maintenance that Achieve Environmental and Cost Savings Benefits

1999

Region of Ottawa-Carleton
Natural Habitat Reconstruction Associated with the West Hunt Club Roadway Realignment

1998

Maritime Road Development Corporation
Fredericton-Moncton Highway Project 

1997

Yukon Engineering Services Inc.
Reconstruction of the Robert Service Way

1996

Stanley Technology Group
Edmonton High Level Bridge Rehabilitation Project

1995

Regional Municipality of Durham
Thornton Road (Regional Road 52) Reconstruction and Widening and Goodman Creek Rehabilitation and Realignment Project

1994

Hamilton Street Railway Company
Natural Gas Bus Demonstration Project

 

Infrastructure Achievement Award

This award recognizes initiatives that demonstrate excellence in the use of best practices to deliver safe, durable and efficient transportation infrastructure, with a focus on major road, highway and urban transportation assets.

Evaluation criteria

Outcomes – The initiative has resulted in the delivery and operation of transportation infrastructure that contributes to the safety, health and prosperity of Canadians, both locally and beyond.

Innovation –The initiative involves elements that are innovative within a Canadian context, in areas such as asset management, design, materials, construction, or maintenance and operations.

Transferability –The initiative is relevant to the delivery of major transportation infrastructure in other jurisdictions, and offers lessons that can be applied elsewhere.

Recipients

View detailed applications of award winners and finalists since 2022, when the award was created (via the TAC Library catalogue).

2023 City of Kingston, Ontario in partnership with Hatch, SYSTRA-IBT, and Peter Kiewit and Sons
Kingston Third Crossing (Waaban Crossing).
2022 British Columbia Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
Ten Mile Slide Slope Stabilization

 

Mobility Achievement Award

This award recognizes initiatives that demonstrate excellence in the delivery of integrated or multimodal mobility for people and goods, while reinforcing the social, economic and environmental pillars of sustainability.

Evaluation criteria

Outcomes – The initiative has resulted in improved travel options, more efficient travel activity or services, and/or effective and equitable strategies to enhance sustainability and benefit individuals.

Innovation – The initiative involves elements that are innovative within a Canadian context, in areas such as travel modes or technologies, or processes for planning, financing or delivering mobility services.

Transferability –The initiative is relevant to the improvement of mobility in other jurisdictions, and offers lessons that can be applied elsewhere.

Previous recipients

Note: Until 2020 this award was known as the TAC Sustainable Urban Transportation Award and in 2021, was known as the TAC Sustainable Mobility Award.

View detailed applications of award winners and finalists since 2020 (via the TAC Library catalogue). Detailed applications of award winners before 2020 are available here.

2023 City of Calgary, Alberta in partnership with ground cubed and Urban Systems Ltd.
Crescent Road N.W. Master Plan
2022 City of Ottawa in partnership with Alta Planning + Design Canada
Protected Intersection Design Guide
2021

City of Hamilton in partnership with Dillon Consulting
Keddy Access Trail

Urban Systems in partnership with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities
COVID-19 Street Rebalancing Guide

2020 City of Nanaimo, British Columbia
Nanaimo Goes Dutch

2019

City of Ottawa
Chapman Mills Drive Transit Priority and Active Transportation Corridor

2018 Ville de Montréal
Redeveloping the Bonaventure Highway as an Urban Boulevard
2017

City of Calgary
20th Avenue Street Lab Party

2016

City of Hamilton
Hamilton Bike Share Program

2015

City of Vancouver
Seaside Greenway Completion Project: Burrard Bridge to Jericho Beach

2014

City of Edmonton
LEGO Videos for Educating Road Users about Bicycle Infrastructure

2013

Metrolinx, City of Hamilton, Region of Peel, Green Communities Canada, University of Toronto
The Stepping It Up Project

2012 City of Kelowna
20-year Servicing Plan, 2030 Active Transportation Program
2011

Corporation of the Town of Milton
Mobility Milton 2010: A Marketing Program to Encourage Transit Use in Milton

2009

Ville de Montréal
BIXI Bike-sharing Program and New Bicycle Lanes

2008

Ville de Québec
Ecolobus Service in Old Québec

2007

City of Welland
City of Welland and Welland Hydro LED Streetlight Conversion Program

Regional Municipality of York
Pedestrian and Cycling Master Plan Study

2006 Towns of Richmond Hill and Markham
Smart Commute 404-7 Program: Reducing Traffic Congestion is Just Good Business
2005 Regional Municipality of York
York Region Rapid Transit Corporation's Viva Fast Forward to a Sustainable Future
2004 IBI Group and Region of Durham
Promoting Sustainable Transportation Through Site Design: A Proposed Recommended Practice
2003 Regional Municipality of Waterloo
"You Can Clear the Air" Grade Three Curriculum Supplement
2002 City of Calgary
Transportation Solutions Group
2001

Resort Municipality of Whistler
The Whistler Way! Rideshare Program

Regional Municipality of York
Transportation Master Plan

2000 Greater Vancouver Transportation Authority
TransLink Strategic Transportation Plan 2000-2005

 

Road Safety Achievement Award

This award recognizes initiatives that demonstrate excellence in the application and advancement of road safety engineering practices.

Evaluation criteria

Outcomes – The initiative has resulted in sustainable improvements to road safety performance. Applications should explain the initiative’s safety justification, methods of estimating safety benefits and their reliability, and the sustainability of safety outcomes and the resources they require.

Innovation – The initiative involves elements that are innovative within a Canadian context, in areas such as advanced technologies, engineering processes, communications, consultation, financing, project delivery, or collaboration among disciplines and/or sectors.

Transferability – The initiative is relevant to road safety efforts in other jurisdictions, offers lessons that can be applied elsewhere, and may contribute to the road safety plans or strategies of other orders of government.

Previous recipients

View detailed applications of award winners and finalists since 2020 (via the TAC Library catalogue). Detailed applications of award winners before 2020 are available here.

2023 British Columbia Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure in partnership with the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia
High Friction Surface Treatment at Signalized Intersections.
2022 Regional Municipality of York
Pedestrian and Cycling Intersection Safety Pilot Project
2021 City of Hamilton
Vision Zero Action Plan 
2020 British Columbia Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
Road Weather Information System and Variable Message Sign Integration

2019

City of Calgary
Traffic Calming Curbs

2018

City of London
Vision Zero - London Road Safety Strategy

SNC Lavalin
Safety Swing Arm to Prevent Collisions with Snow Plows

2017

British Columbia Ministry of Transportation & Infrastructure
Variable Speed Limit System

2016

City of Toronto
Curb Radii Design Guidelines

2015

City of Calgary
Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons Pilot Project

A TAC Road Safety Engineering Award Honourable Mention was also attributed to Parsons Inc.for its turbo roundabout project.

2014

Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) and partners
Road Safety Benefits of British Columbia’s High Risk Corridor Program

2013

Ministère des Transports du Québec
Photo Radar and Red Light Camera System

2011

Ville de Montréal
Initiative to Reduce the Speed Limit to 40 km/h on Some Local Streets

2009

Alberta Transportation
High-tension Median Cable Barrier Program

2008

Ministère des Transports du Québec
Québec's Road Safety Initiatives

2007

Ontario Ministry of Transportation
Advancements in Winter Road Safety

 

Small Municipalities Achievement Award

This award recognizes initiatives that demonstrate excellence in the use of best practices to improve transportation system performance in rural or small urban communities, with a principal focus on road safety and traffic operations.  

Evaluation criteria

Outcomes – The initiative has improved transportation system performance and contributed to the community’s social, economic and environmental health.

Innovation – The initiative involves elements that are innovative within the context of small Canadian municipalities, in areas such as road design, traffic control, active transportation facilities and services, streetscaping, parking management, public transportation or community involvement.

Transferability -The initiative is relevant to transportation challenges faced by communities with populations of fewer than 100,000 people, and offers lessons that can be applied elsewhere.

Recipients

View detailed applications of award winners and finalists since 2022, when the award was created (via the TAC Library catalogue).

2023 City of Selkirk, Manitoba
Eveline Street Reconstruction
2022 Town of Smiths Falls, Ontario
Beckwith Street Revitalization

 

Technology Achievement Award

This award recognizes initiatives that demonstrate excellence in the use of advanced technologies to address road, highway or urban transportation challenges.

Evaluation criteria

Outcomes – The initiative has resulted in improved transportation system performance with associated social, economic or environmental benefits.

Innovation – The initiative involves technologies that are innovative within a Canadian context, in areas such as intelligent transportation systems, connected and automated vehicles, digital twinning, or data and analytics.

Transferability -The initiative is relevant to transportation challenges in other jurisdictions, and offers lessons that can be applied elsewhere.

Recipients

View detailed applications of award winners and finalists since 2022, when the award was created (via the TAC Library catalogue).

2023 British Columbia Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure in partnership with PBX Engineering
Automated Avalanche Detection System on Highway 37A
2022 Regional Municipality of Durham
Road Maintenance Innovation project

 

Workforce Development Achievement Award

This award recognizes initiatives that demonstrate excellence in post-secondary education, professional development or human resources management and support the creation of a skilled, interdisciplinary workforce for Canada’s transportation sector.

Evaluation criteria

Outcomes – The initiative has improved the skills or understanding of participants, and/or the performance of the host organization.

Innovation – The initiative involves elements that are innovative within a Canadian context, in areas such as program content or delivery.

Transferability – The initiative is relevant to the workforce development goals of other organizations, and offers lessons that can be applied elsewhere.

More information on application process, eligibility and conditions.

Previous recipients

View detailed applications of award winners and finalists since 2020 (via the TAC Library catalogue). Detailed applications of award winners before 2020 are available here.

Note: Until 2023 this award was known as the TAC Educational Achievement Award.  

2023 City of Edmonton, Alberta in partnership with Empower Me and the Electric Vehicle Association of Alberta
Electric and Hydrogen Vehicle Expo
2021 Insurance Corporation of British Columbia, in partnership with McElhanney
Roundabout Workshop
2020 British Columbia Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
Highway Maintenance Contract Training Course

2019

Urban Systems Ltd.
Bicycle Facilities Design Course

2018

British Columbia Institute of Technology
Virtual Automotive Engine

2017

Stantec Consulting Ltd.
Project Management Boot Camps

2016

Ontario Good Roads Association
Municipal Asset Management Certification Program

2015

Metrolinx
Journey to Achieve Energy Awareness

2014

Kativik Regional Administration and le ministère des Transports du Québec
Off-Highway Vehicle Accident Prevention and Safety Awareness Campaign in Nunavik, Quebec

2013

Association québécoise des transports (AQTr) and le ministère des Transports du Québec
Management of Implementation of Municipal and Road Infrastructure Works Training Program

2012

Team Canada Alliance for Transportation Teaching
Webinar on Special Topics in Transportation Engineering

2011

Alberta Transportation
Bioengineering and Bio-technical Techniques Training in Streambank Stabilization

2009

Dillon Consulting Limited
The NextGen Initiative & The President's Crew Program

Regional Municipality of Waterloo
Smart About Salt

2008

Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation
Build Manitoba with Us: Building the Infrastructure to a Sustainable Workforce

2007

Ontario Good Roads Association
Snow School

 

 


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