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American Traffic Safety Services Association
ATSSA’S MIDYEAR
MEETING
ATSSA Hosts 2016 Midyear Meeting in Chicago
Highlights of ATSSA’s Midyear Meeting at the Loews Chicago
Hotel in Chicago, Aug. 24–26.
ATSSA’s Midyear Meeting was an opportunity to discuss the latest
innovations and technology in the roadway industry, continue to
advance roadway safety in committee meetings and network at the
Loews Chicago Hotel in Chicago, Ill., August 24–26.
ATSSA Board Chairwoman Debra Ricker, of Worksafe Traffic
Control Industries, Inc., welcomed attendees at the Committee
General Session. Ricker discussed ATSSA’s much-anticipated 47th
Annual Convention & Traffic Expo. She discussed the ATSSA/
Transportation Research Board partnership for the Traffic Control
Device Challenge for transportation students to share their ideas to
help make the nation’s roadways safer. First, second and third place
winners will exhibit at Traffic Expo. She said planning has begun
for 2017 National Work Zone Awareness Week, Apr. 3–7, and the
kick-off event will be hosted by the State of Maryland on Apr. 4.
Ricker noted the next ATSSA Leadership Program will be April
30–May 2, 2017. She encouraged attendance at ATSSA’s annual
Legislative Briefing & Fly-In on Capitol Hill, May 3–4, 2017. The
success of the event is due to the record number of ATSSA
members who participate and meet with Congressional
representatives and their staffs to educate them about the roadway
safety industry.
“As an association, we can’t achieve our common goal of advancing
roadway safety without the dedication and commitment of people
like you—everyone in this audience,” said Ricker. “The volunteers
who dedicate their time, money and ideas help make America’s
roadways safer for everyone. Today, we’re honoring two of those
ATSSA volunteers, who are ending their terms as chairmen of two
of our association’s committees—Ben Capel and Brent
Tewskbury.”
ATSSA Board Chairwoman Debra Ricker encourages attendees to
participate in the association’s upcoming events that are geared to
advancing roadway safety.
ATSSA Vice President of Government Relations Nate Smith discusses
the $305 billion Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act)
signed into law by President Obama last December. The FAST Act
includes $12.5 billion for the Highway Safety Improvement Program
(HSIP), which can only be used for roadway safety infrastructure
projects and five years of highway funding certainty. The FAST Act also
includes the continuation of the Work Zone Safety Grant and training for
inspection, installation and maintenance of guardrail systems.
ATSSA Board Chairman-elect Juan Arvizu (from left) honors Past
Chairman of the Temporary Traffic Control Committee Ben Capel,
of Guardway Corporation, with a plaque of appreciation. ATSSA
Past Chairman of the Guardrail Committee Brent Tewskbury, of
Lafayette Highway Specialties, receives a plaque for his dedication
from ATSSA Board Chairwoman Debra Ricker.
Dr. Paul Carlson, senior research engineer for Texas A&M
Transportation Institute (TTI), presents the Campus Transportation
Technology Initiative. The initiative is a partnership with companies
to bring technology and innovation to the Texas A&M University
transportation system.