The Georgia Department of Transportation’s (Georgia DOT) Day One Deployment District (DODD), a one-square-mile connected vehicle environment in downtown Atlanta, is in the running for the 2026 People’s Choice Award from the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO). Members of the public can vote for the DODD once every 24 hours per IP address through November 15. Georgia DOT is encouraging Georgians to show their support by voting daily and helping bring the People’s Choice Award to Georgia. Cast your vote today on the 2026 People’s Choice Award voting page.

Launched at the 2025 ITS World Congress, DODD is a first-in-the nation initiative that integrates cutting edge technology, enhanced network communication, and cybersecurity protocols to create an operational environment where traffic signals, emergency vehicles, and road infrastructure communicate in real time to improve safety, efficiency, and mobility. “DODD represents Georgia DOT’s commitment to technology and innovation as we work to deliver a safer, more efficient transportation network for the people of Georgia,” said Russell R. McMurry, P.E., Georgia DOT Commissioner. 

The Day One Deployment District is one of 12 projects from across the country selected through regional competitions to compete for the national title in AASHTO’s America’s Transportation Awards. An independent panel of transportation industry judges selected the 12 finalists from 127 nominations submitted by 45 state DOTs. The finalists will compete for both the Grand Prize and the People’s Choice Award, with each award carrying a $10,000 cash prize for a charity or transportation-related scholarship chosen by the recipient. If Georgia DOT wins, the department will donate the $10,000 prize to a Georgia-based charity.

The People’s Choice Award will be presented at AASHTO’s annual meeting held in Louisville, Kentucky on November 17.