Seattle Department of Transportation staff clear a path on the Fremont Bridge during a recent snowstorm
City is recognized for efforts to make information more accessible, transparent, and engaging for Seattle residents, and for its innovative Winter Weather Response Map
The City of Seattle received two Center for Digital Government (CDG) awards for delivering accessible, transparent, and engaging digital services for residents. Seattle was recognized for its outstanding achievement in overall service delivery and its Government Experience Project Award for its innovative Winter Weather Response Map. The honors recognize the City’s successful efforts in providing Seattle residents with accessible and innovative digital services.
The Winter Weather Response Map provides residents with real-time updates on which streets have been serviced by snowplows and sanders during inclement weather. The tool allows residents to view the City’s designated snow and ice routes, which are prioritized as Gold standard routes for regional needs and Emerald standard routes for citywide importance. The solution supports the City’s goal of achieving bare and wet pavement on specified streets within 12 hours after a significant lull in a storm. What sets it apart from other cities’ weather maps is that it has a text-based companion app, which enables low or no-vision residents reliant on screen-readers to easily access the information.
“These awards are the result of teams addressing needs voiced by our community,” said Seattle’s Chief Technology Officer Rob Lloyd. “The Winter Weather Response Map is a commitment that when storms hit, our City provides real-time information when people require it, along with the responsive services that help people travel. We are grateful for the recognition on behalf of superb, committed teams in the Seattle Department of Transportation and Seattle IT. They are proud to do well for Seattle.”
“When severe winter storms hit our region, our crews diligently work to keep people and goods moving safely,” said Deputy Director of Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) Rodney Maxie. “This map gives residents a real-time view of our work in action – whether plows and spreaders have treated their streets – and does so in a way that is accessible for all. Partnering with Seattle IT to create this tool helps us deliver on our promise of safe, reliable, and equitable winter storm response for every community.”
The ninth annual Government Experience Awards program, presented by CDG, celebrates states, cities, and counties that have excelled in enhancing the digital experience for their communities. This year’s awards highlighted governments that have blended people-first service design with next-generation tools to better connect with residents. The project awards specifically recognize innovative work in single-focus areas.
“Receiving these prestigious awards is a testament to the City of Seattle’s commitment to innovation, responsiveness, and inclusivity in public service,” said Harvey Arnone, Data Enablement Division Interim Director. “This recognition inspires and motivates us to continue advancing digital government to better serve our community.”
“We’ve talked for years about a no wrong door approach to government services,” said Dustin Haisler, President of e.Republic. “Today, technology is making that vision real. From AI to anticipatory experiences, agencies are showing that residents can access services in the way that works best for them, and still get an experience that is inclusive, equitable, and designed around their needs.”
In total, 41 governments were recognized for their dedication and creativity, reflecting a nationwide commitment among public servants to improve how residents interact with government. A complete listing of the awardees can be found on the Government Technology website.
Some language in this post was generated using Jasper AI. All content was edited and fact-checked by staff on the Innovation and Performance team. Learn more about the City of Seattle’s AI Policy.