TPA named as finalist for InnoLead’s 2026 Impact Awards

Tampa International Airport has been named one of 16 global finalists for InnoLead’s 2026 Impact Awards, an annual program honoring organizations that deliver measurable innovation across major industries.

TPA earned its spot for developing a high-tech warning system that uses LiDAR and artificial intelligence to detect and alert overheight vehicles before they enter the Airport’s Arrivals and Departures drives, a persistent challenge for TPA and other airports worldwide.

Working with Sotereon.AI, TPA deployed the Overwatch software platform, which integrates five Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) sensors along the roadway to use light pulses to measure vehicle height with remarkable accuracy, within one to two inches. When a vehicle exceeds the set limit, bright LED signs flash messages such as “Vehicle Too High — Merge Right” to redirect drivers safely, while real-time alerts are sent to Airport Police and Operations.

“Overwatch takes data from those sensors and turns it into action,” said Doug Wycoff, TPA’s Director of Digital Technologies & Innovation. “We’ve gone from passive warning signs to a fully managed roadway system that tracks height, volume, and speed. It’s a game changer.”

Since launching on April 3, the system has detected 18 to 20 overheight vehicles daily, preventing costly and dangerous strikes that can shut down roadways and disrupt travelers.

“One semi-truck getting stuck under the terminal can cost anywhere from $25,000 to $100,000 in damage and delay hundreds of passengers,” Wycoff explained. “We haven’t had a single incident since we went live, and that speaks volumes.”

Wycoff said the recognition is especially meaningful given the caliber of other finalists.

“It’s exciting to see our ideas stand alongside global innovators like Apple and NVIDIA,” he said. “These are companies with deep resources, and yet we’re right there with them, proving that creativity and smart thinking can come from any size organization.”

Other finalists include:

• Adidas, honored for its Trionda smart soccer ball, which uses embedded chips to transmit real-time data to referees during World Cup matches.
• Apple, recognized for reaching 100% recycled materials in key components such as cobalt in batteries and gold plating in circuit boards.
• Lowe’s, for deploying its Mylow Companion AI assistant that gives store associates instant product knowledge and project guidance.
• Medtronic, for its BrainSense Adaptive DBS system, which personalizes Parkinson’s treatment using real-time brain activity.
• Minnesota Vikings, for their Winter Whiteout Innovation Campaign, which transformed a fan tradition into a global Gen Z engagement platform.

TPA’s inclusion reflects the growing role of airports as innovation testbeds and leaders in smart infrastructure. Wycoff noted that Sotereon.AI is already working with 15 to 20 other airports to expand use of similar technology nationwide.

“We’re proud to see this idea taking off beyond Tampa,” Wycoff said. “It’s not just about preventing incidents, it’s about building smarter, safer airports everywhere.”

Wycoff will represent TPA at the Impact 2026 Conference in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where winners will be announced June 9.

“This kind of innovation doesn’t happen without support from leadership,” Wycoff added. “Our executive team gives us the freedom to experiment and think differently. That’s what makes success like this possible.”

InnoLead is the world’s largest community of corporate innovators. The Impact Awards launched in 2018 and now highlight achievements across technology, manufacturing, retail, healthcare, and public infrastructure. TPA’s recognition underscores how operational innovation, often hidden behind the scenes, can deliver world-class impact on safety, efficiency, and customer experience.