FY2024 CDOT INNOVATIONS CHALLENGE — WINNER

Digitizing Form 568

Streamlining Temporary Speed Limit Reductions at the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT)

Prepared by Navjoy Inc. in Collaboration with CDOT

Recognized by the Colorado Transportation Commission • October 2024

Executive Summary

The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) faced a high-volume, manual administrative bottleneck in managing temporary speed limit reductions on its highways.

A cross-functional team led by Jonathan Woodworth, PE, tackled the challenge by standardizing the entire process and fully digitizing CDOT Form 568.

The result: dramatically faster cycle times, easier user experience, and enhanced roadway safety.

The project earned the top award in the "Outstanding Business Process Improvement" category of the FY2024 statewide CDOT Innovations Challenge and was publicly recognized by the Colorado Transportation Commission in October 2024.

This initiative demonstrates how targeted process redesign and digital transformation—supported by forward-thinking leadership and technology partners—can deliver measurable gains in efficiency and public service within a large government transportation agency.

CDOT maintains more than 9,000 miles of highway across Colorado. Temporary speed limit reductions are issued daily for construction zones, maintenance activities, incidents, and special events. Form 568 serves as the official authorization document that triggers these reductions, ensuring compliance with safety standards and enabling law enforcement to enforce the new limits.


The Challenge

  • High Volume & Manual Intensity

    Dozens of Form 568s processed every day, each requiring multiple manual steps, physical signatures, faxing/scanning, and cross-department coordination.

  • Time-Consuming Cycle

    Lengthy approval and implementation timelines increased the risk of delayed safety measures.

  • User Friction

    Field staff, engineers, and contractors found the paper-based process cumbersome and error-prone.

  • Scalability Issues

    As Colorado's population and construction activity grew, the legacy process could not keep pace without compromising safety or efficiency.


The Solution & Approach

  • Standardization

    Created uniform procedures, roles, and decision criteria across engineering regions and disciplines.

  • Digitization of Form 568

    Converted the paper form into a fully digital, user-friendly format with built-in validation, electronic signatures, automated routing, and real-time tracking.

  • Process Streamlining

    Eliminated redundant steps, reduced handoffs, and integrated the digital form into existing CDOT systems for seamless data flow.



Project Leadership

Team Leader: Jonathan Woodworth — Professional Engineer, Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT)

Technology Partner: Navjoy Inc., led by CEO Navin Nageli

Project Team: Melissa Gende, Benjamin Acimovic, San Lee, Katrina Kloberdanz

This innovation was developed through a strong collaboration between CDOT leadership and Navjoy Inc., combining domain expertise with modern digital solutions to address a long-standing operational challenge.

The project reflects CDOT's commitment to continuous improvement and innovation in transportation operations, supported by strategic technology partnerships.

Implementation Highlights

01 Rapid prototyping and testing with end users (field engineers and maintenance crews).

02 Cross-region collaboration to ensure the solution worked uniformly statewide.

03 Successful rollout completed within FY2024.

04 Presented to the Colorado Transportation Commission on October 16–17, 2024.



Results & Impact

Days → Hours

Cycle Time Reduced

Zero

Additional Staff Required

The digitization of Form 568 significantly reduced processing times from days to hours, enabling faster implementation of temporary speed limits and improving responsiveness across the agency.

Field engineers, maintenance personnel, and administrative staff can now complete and route forms with minimal training, resulting in fewer errors and greater operational efficiency.

Faster authorization and enforcement of temporary speed limits directly contribute to improved safety for both roadway workers and the traveling public.

The new system eliminates bottlenecks and allows CDOT to scale operations effectively without requiring additional staff, even as infrastructure demands continue to grow.

Internally, the project has been recognized as a model for process innovation and digital transformation within CDOT, setting a precedent for future modernization efforts.


Lessons Learned

  • Digital Transformation Opportunity

    Legacy government forms and processes are ideal starting points for high-impact digital transformation.

  • Leadership + Technology Partners

    Strong internal leadership combined with specialized technology partners accelerates adoption and maximizes impact.

  • Culture of Continuous Improvement

    Public recognition boosts morale and encourages innovation culture across the agency.


Conclusion

The digitization of Form 568 demonstrates how targeted process redesign combined with modern technology can transform critical government workflows.

By replacing manual, paper-based processes with a streamlined digital system, CDOT has improved efficiency, reduced delays, and strengthened roadway safety across the state.

This initiative highlights the importance of leadership, collaboration, and innovation in driving meaningful change within public sector organizations.

As transportation systems continue to evolve, solutions like this serve as a blueprint for other agencies seeking to modernize operations, improve service delivery, and better protect the communities they serve.

"While it's tempting to stick with what's familiar, true progress comes from embracing new challenges."

— Navin Nageli, CEO, Navjoy Inc.