The deadline for the sixth annual Innovations Challenge, which encourages high school students to use their problem-solving, creative and strategic-thinking abilities to solve real-world transportation challenges, is Jan. 27.

The Innovations Challenge, created by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, this year asked participants to develop ideas addressing the shortage of commercial truck parking along major interstate corridors in Pennsylvania. Trucks parking on highway shoulders and ramps is common during overnight hours and presents a significant safety issue, according to a news release from PennDOT.

Regional winners of the Innovations Challenge will be selected and invited to present their solutions to the PennDOT Secretary and a panel of judges, who will determine the statewide winner.

For this year’s challenge, the Transportation Policy and Education Foundation, an educational arm of the Associated Pennsylvania Constructors, has donated $2,500, and the American Council of Engineering Companies of Pennsylvania has donated $1,500 for a combined total award of $4,000 to the statewide winning team.