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American Traffic Safety Services Association
COMMITTEE
NEWS
ATSSA members spread the word to the public beyond traditional press releases. Jack Van Steenburg,
chief safety officer and assistant administrator, FMCSA, stressed his agency’s commitment to help
reduce the number of work zone accidents and incidents involving heavy trucks. Van Steenburg
reported that the FMCSA will release a “Notice to the Federal Register” to allow ATSSA members
and the association an opportunity to comment on the exemption of truck-mounted attenuators as
“reported crashes” when they are struck by vehicles on the roadway.
Three finalists were selected for the ATSSA National Safety Award: Donna Hardy, West Virginia
DOT; Frank Julian, Federal Highway Administration; and Frank Newbowles, Washington State DOT.
A motion presented by Shamay to elect Kathi Holst as the SPA Committee chairwoman was
unanimously passed. Taylor Bowlden presented a motion to elect Mark Fellows as vice chairman,
which was unanimously passed. Jeff Tidaback volunteered to serve as the secretary.
The committee discussed a strong desire to include “Distracted Driving” in the association’s dialogue
as roadway safety advancements and innovations continue across the country. Members decided
to focus on the Roadway Safety Outreach on ATSSA’s web page. That task force, which is already
established, will meet by conference call prior to the 2015 Annual Convention & Traffic Expo.
Sign Committee
Guest speaker Scott Shogan, of Parsons Brinckerhoff, continued his talk from the General Session,
informing the committee that signs wouldn’t be necessary in the future with the new V2I and V2V
technology. This started a debate about the future of the sign industry.
Joe Frazzetta, Sign Committee chairman, reviewed the Louisiana DOT Training Course and its
success. He introduced Bill Birdwell, ATSSA master instructor, who developed and taught the
course. Birdwell spoke of the potential development of a TxDOT Certification Training Course.
The committee discussed the certification training for the TxDOT and passed a motion to support
ATSSA in working with TxDOT to develop the Sign Fabricator Certification Course. The
committee established a task force to offer an expert panel to review and comment on course
content. Those interested in assisting the panel can contact Chairman Frazzetta.
Temporary Traffic Control Committee
David Plazak, of TRB, provided an update on SHRP 2, “Accelerating Solutions for Highway
Safety, Renewal, Reliability and Capacity.” Plazak highlighted worker fatigue risk management,
Work Zone Implementation Strategies Estimator (WISE), “Safety Data: Strategic Rationale,
Obtaining Data from Vehicle Sensors and Video,” and provided a review of initial analysis projects,
including rural, two-lane curves, offset left-turn bays, and driver inattention. Jim Shurbutt, of the
FHWA, spoke about “Extending Event Horizons Navigation and Wayfinding for Visually Impaired
Pedestrians in Unstructured Environments.” Shurbutt shared the unique challenges for the blind
community and the goal of assisting the visually impaired.
For the MUTCD/NCUTCD, Henry Ross, of Plasticade, reminded the committee of the March 2nd
notice of the proposed Rule-Making regarding Safety Performance Measures and updating the
existing requirements for HSIP. Ross also said the FHWA is discussing the proposed changes to
Part 6 of the 2016 Manual and that Rule-Making will most likely be at the end of 2014. As the
changes have been deemed quite significant, the extensive review may result in a 2017 update.
The subcommittee, ADA in Work Zones, has not met for some time, but it was agreed that ongoing
discussion of this topic is essential. Eydie Case, of MDI Traffic Control Products, is the new
subcommittee chairwoman. The subcommittee members will have a conference call and report
back on the action items.
ATSSA Associate Director of Member Services and Staff Liaison Bob Felt reported on the success
of the 2014 ATSSA Leadership Program and requested those interested to apply for the 2015
program as soon as possible.
Visit the ATSSA
Web Site for
Information
About ATSSA’s
45th Annual
Convention &
Traffic Expo
ATSSA’s 45th Annual Convention
& Traffic Expo is only a few
months away, and room blocks
are filling up fast. Nearly 3,000
roadway safety professionals from
the U.S., Canada and 44 countries
will be there. Don’t be left out
of the full schedule of events,
including the Chairman’s
Reception, New Member
Welcome, Opening General
Session, the Foundation Golf
Classic Tournament and Sporting
Clays Event, committee meetings
and many more opportunities.
Don’t miss being in the center
of Traffic Expo 2015, where
thousands of qualified buyers from
every niche of the marketplace will
be. As the premier meeting place
for roadway professionals around
the world, the Traffic Expo has
continued to grow in size to nearly
500 exhibit booths.
For information about attendee
and exhibitor registration;
educational workshops, sessions,
speakers and the conference
program; the Foundation Golf
Classic Tournament and Sporting
Clays Event; hotel information; the
Traffic Expo’s exhibitor listing and
details about exhibiting; 2014
convention highlights and video,
visit
> > >
