The Georgia Department of Transportation’s WebEOC application, coupled with the SouthernLINC Wireless iDEN radio system, was named a finalist in the category of Information Communications Technology in the 2017 State IT Recognition Awards sponsored by the National Association of State CIOs. 
 
The WebEOC application provides real-time traffic information to support Georgia DOT’s daily operation and enables fast, effective response to emergencies, accidents and extreme weather. Adding the SouthernLinc radio system as the primary means of communication for GDOT, allows multiple districts and state agencies to communicate during emergency response. WebEOC is one of the information-gathering and monitoring technologies Georgia DOT uses to support day-to-day decision making and response, as well as long-term planning.
 
“The Georgia Department of Transportation is honored to be a finalist for such a prestigious award. I am fortunate to be surrounded by talented people in GDOT’s IT Division who provide solutions that combine technology and ingenuity to increase communication during emergency situations and help ensure the safety of state employees as well as the public,” said Jeffrey A. Hill, Chief Information Officer for GDOT. “The result is a coordinated response across teams and agencies with real-time situation awareness. Communicating and sharing information across multiple agencies is a huge success for Georgia.”  
 
For its 2017 awards, NASCIO solicited nominations in 11 categories and sought “transformational projects and initiatives that address critical business problems, improve business processes, or increase citizen engagement in state government.”  NASCIO received more than 100 nominations.
 
WebEOC is one of three technology projects from Georgia state agencies that were named as NASCIO finalists. The Child Support Services Mobile App from the Division of Child Support Services was named in the category of Digital Government: Government to Citizen. The GenTax Fraud Management Solution from the Department of Revenue was named in the category of Improving State Operations.
 
This is Georgia’s best showing in the 17-year history of the awards program.
 
“For several years, I’ve been saying that Georgia state agencies are leading the nation in their innovative use of technology. Having three projects named as finalists in this year’s NASCIO awards proves those aren’t idle statements,” said Calvin Rhodes, Georgia State CIO and GTA executive director. “This is an impressive showing, and there’s no doubt that other states are paying attention to what we’re doing here in Georgia.”
 
Eventual award recipients will be named October 2 at NASCIO’s annual conference.