Public Roads Magazine
Public Roads Student Writing Competition
Questions and Answers
Thank you to everyone who asked a question about the competition and those who already applied. The questions we received were answered on a case-by-case basis because they were unique to the individuals who posed them. As a reminder, applications are due June 21, 2023, and articles are due July 21, 2023. Please visit https://highways.dot.gov/public-roads/guidelines-authors-public-roads-magazine to review author guidelines for Public Roads.
About the Contest
Public Roads is pleased to announce its first Student Writing Competition! High school, undergraduate, and graduate students located in the United States focusing on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics-related disciplines are encouraged to participate. This competition encourages students to apply their writing skills and acumen in the field of transportation, including safety, infrastructure, innovation, accessibility, equity, and more. The articles will be judged by Federal Highway Administration directors and program managers dedicated to strengthening a world-class highway system that promotes safety, mobility, economic growth, and enhanced quality of life for all Americans.
This opportunity gives students a chance to be peer reviewed and published. Public Roads will award up to three articles in each student category to be published in its Winter 2024 issue. This issue debuts at the Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting, an event held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC, January 7–11, 2024. Selected student authors will be notified of their article acceptance by email in December 2023.
Interested students should review the deadline calendar and read the guidelines carefully before submitting their application.
Deadline Calendar:
- Date the competition opens: May 24, 2023.
- Date questions relating to the guidelines are due: June 2, 2023.
- Date answers to questions are posted online: June 12, 2023.
- Date applications are due: June 21, 2023.
- Date articles are due: July 21, 2023.
Date winners are notified: December 2023. Applications, questions, and final entries should be submitted to PublicRoadsSWC@dot.gov.
Entries will not be accepted after the June 21, 2023, deadline.