ATSSA The Signal JanFeb 2017

6 / 42

6 American Traffic Safety Services Association
INNOVATION
While these are the most innovative of times (think Highly Automated
Vehicles), they’re also the slowest of times. Products have advanced
rapidly; approval and acceptance processes have not. ATSSA member
companies that lead the way in the development of new and innovative
roadway safety products often face numerous hurdles as they try to
introduce their products to the marketplace. Here are four possible
paths that might help overcome those hurdles.
Every Day Counts
In 2009, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) launched Every
Day Counts (EDC) in cooperation with the American Association of
State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) to speed up the
delivery of highway projects and address the challenges presented by
limited budgets. The EDC program focuses on proven ideas that have
been successfully implemented elsewhere. Two EDC programs that
directly affect ATSSA members are Smart Work Zones and High
Friction Surfacing. Here’s what the FHWA website says about EDC:
“Through the EDC model, FHWA works with state and local
transportation agencies and industry stakeholders to identify a new
collection of innovations to champion every two years. Innovations are
selected collaboratively by stakeholders, taking into consideration
market readiness, impacts, benefits and ease of adoption of the
innovation. After selecting the EDC technologies for deployment,
transportation leaders from across the country gather at regional
summits to discuss the innovations and share best practices. These
summits begin the process for states, local public agencies and Federal
Lands Highway Divisions to focus on the innovations that make the
most sense for their unique program needs, establish performance
goals and commit to finding opportunities to get those innovations into
practice over the next two years.
Throughout the two-year deployment cycle, specifications, best
practices, lessons learned and relevant data are shared among
stakeholders through case studies, webinars and demonstration projects.
The result is rapid technology transfer and accelerated deployment of
innovation across the nation.”
ATSSA members can learn more about EDC by visiting FHWA.dot.gov
and entering EDC in the search box.
State Transportation Innovation Councils (STIC)
Again, from the FHWA website: “In 2010, the FHWA introduced the
STIC concept to state transportation departments and industry partners
to foster ownership and pride in establishing a process in which ideas,
innovative techniques and processes can be evaluated and implemented
quickly and proficiently.”
Each state receives up to $100,000 to explore innovations in areas of its
choice. Most state STICs are co-chaired by the FHWA division
administrator and the chief engineer of the state DOT. This is a great
opportunity for innovators to partner with an agency to test and “prove
out” a new product or concept. ATSSA recommends contacting your
state STIC administrator to discuss your innovation. A list of state
STIC administrators can be found on the FHWA website by entering
STIC in the search box.
Getting Your New Product to the Market
Innovations Deserving Exploratory Analysis (IDEA)
ATSSA obtained the following information on the IDEA program from
the Transportation Research Board (TRB) website: “A project of the
National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP), the
NCHRP Highway IDEA program seeks proposals with potential to
advance the construction, safety, maintenance and management of
highway systems. The program is sponsored by the member states of
AASHTO.
The program is guided and advised by a committee of experts who
volunteer their time and service. The committee reviews proposals
twice a year (deadlines are March 1 and September 1) and selects the
most promising of those items that meet program criteria.
All NCHRP Highway IDEA projects are described in the NCHRP
Highway IDEA Annual Progress Report. Suggested research focus
areas, proposal evaluation criteria and instructions on how to submit an
IDEA proposal are provided in the IDEA Program Announcement,
which is published in January of each year.”
Accelerated Market Outreach
Perhaps a hidden gem in the world of innovation pathways is the
AASHTO Accelerated Market Outreach program, which is managed
through the AASHTO Innovation Initiative. Its website states: “The
Innovation Initiative accepts innovations for consideration from state
and local departments of transportation and organizational units of
AASHTO (AASHTO members include member departments and
associate members). Additionally, private industry representatives work
with eligible submitters who have successfully used these innovative
practices to nominate technologies.”
At its November 2016 meeting, Innovative Initiative members began a
discussion of including innovations that aren’t yet “market ready” in its
considerations.
Applications are usually due in October and must be submitted
electronically. The AASHTO contact for the program is Keith Platte,
who can be reached at or (202) 624-3697.
Authorization to Experiment
As ATSSA members know, a new product or process can gain approval
from FHWA by asking for permission to experiment. FHWA usually
requires before and after data in order to assess the outcome or effect of
the experiment. This process requires agency sponsorship and, through
FHWA’s official acceptance of the project, may limit risk or liability. It
may be possible to obtain approval and funding through the STIC
process, so ATSSA members should be sure to ask that question if they
contact their state STIC administrator. 
ATSSA hopes this summary will be of assistance to its innovative
members, who work to save lives on our roadways every day and
achieve our national goal of moving Toward Zero Deaths. If you’d like
to provide comments or additional input, email ATSSA President &
CEO Roger Wentz at