April 16, 2014

Did You Know?

AASHTO holds an annual photo contest called Faces of Transportation. Now in its 10th year, the national contest asks state transportation department employees and private citizens to send in photographs and videos of people, projects, and personal experiences that demonstrate the benefits of transportation. This year’s competition, themed “Transportation in America,” includes seven awards. Five will be presented in the photography section and two prizes will be awarded in the video portion of competition, a new category this year. Photographs are scored by judges, with an audience voting portion closer to the conclusion of the contest to choose the "People's Choice."

Last year, 28 transportation department employees from 21 states and six private citizens submitted 121 photographs in the competition. The entries were judged in three categories: Building the Future, Opening Communities, and Taking the Road Less Traveled. California Department of Transportation's San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge took center stage when both winning photographs of the People's Choice and Grand Prize were awarded to photographs related to the project.

The competition allows creativity to thrive while showcasing the aspects of transportation in an artistic form. Entries vary from scenery along a highway, new construction, or individuals utilizing the transportation infrastructure around them like a bike lane or transit system. This year, photographs will be judged in three new categories: Quality of Life/Community Development, Historic Projects, and Taking the Road Less Traveled. A new category, video, will bring in new creative ideas that are safe, smart, and fun. A $125 cash prize will be awarded to the best photograph, and $150 to best video, in each of the three categories. $500 cash prizes will be presented to the winners of both the People’s Choice and the Best Overall Photograph award.

If you wish to participate in the contest, visit http://facesoftransportation.org/ for more information and past submissions. All entries must be received by July 31, 2014.