Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood says an online community called "IdeaHub" is designed to let all of DOT's 55,000 employees collaborate with each other.

"With IdeaHub, a Federal Aviation Administration employee in Alaska can offer suggestions about an idea by a Federal Transit Administration worker in Atlanta or vote on an idea by a Federal Highway Administration employee in Arizona," LaHood said in a blog post in early August.

DOT leaders are using the tool to pose thought-provoking questions to employees. LaHood says the first is: "How can DOT help you do your job more effectively?"

"And, believe me," LaHood tells Government Computer News. "The ideas are already pouring in."