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The Signal | March/April 2017
Safer Roads Save Lives
Safety and Public Awareness Committee
Committee Chair Kathi Holst determined that there was a quorum and called
the SPA Committee meeting to order at 8:35 a.m.
The committee heard from the following guest speakers: Kristi Sandal
(S.D.-DOT), spoke on how to get the most from the media with limited
resources; David Rush (Va.-DOT), spoke on work zone crash and exposure
data used to create a performance measure; and Chuck Bergmann (Mich.-
DOT), spoke on wet reflective pavement markings in use in his state. Greg
Cohen also gave a brief Roadway Safety Foundation update.
The Cone Setting Task Force determined that they would reconvene their
task force by conference call following the board of directors’ March
meeting. During that meeting, the board will review the staff summary of the
OSHA issue. Based on the board’s direction of that issue, the task force will
then determine if there is further need for the task force, and if so, what
would the new direction or charge be, or should the task force be dissolved.
John Leonard and David Graham were added to the task force as members.
Regarding the committee rotation issue, the SPA Committee’s desired
composition is as follows:
•
Contractors: nine
•
Manufacturers and Supplies: nine
•
Public Officials: 10
•
Others: two
A motion to form a task force to develop member prospect lists was
unanimously passed. The task force members are Randy Damron, John
Leonard and Jeff Tidaback.
A motion to form a task force for Capitol Hill legislative policies was
unanimously passed. The task force members are Mike Hare, Kathi Holst
and Devvon Holst.
The committee held a brief discussion on educational and/or training needs
and wants. The outcome of that discussion included the development of a
process (i.e. cheat sheet) as to how to set up training statewide for DOT
employees which, according to some members of the committee, is currently
difficult to do on the current “hard to navigate” website. A suggestion was
also made to target new training opportunities to specific audiences (through
marketing methods) when a new course is offered, versus publishing the
information in
The Flash
. There was also a request for more TMA training,
as well as a request for more best practices information on various topics of
interest, as well as a request to notify those signed up for training in advance
(not days before), if a training event is going to be canceled. A suggestion
was also made to develop “Take Fives,” or quick-to-deliver tool box topics
that would assist supervisors/trainers in weekly safety sessions, including
personal protection, night hazards, temporary barriers, and MASH standard
updates, or new MASH information, when/if available.
Two visitors requested applications to join the SPA Committee. They were
Leslie Elmore (Site-Safe LLC) and Tim Dotterer (Dow Chemical).
Additionally, Greg Cohen requested that he be added as a friend of the
committee.
The next meeting will be held in conjunction with ATSSA’s Midyear Meeting
in Louisville, Kentucky, August 23–25.
Chapter Presidents’ Council
There were 19 chapters represented at the Feb. 11, Chapter Presidents’ Council
(CPC) meeting. Jay Bruemmer, past chair, announced the newly elected
officers: chair, Cecil Brown, Hill & Smith Inc. and vice chair, Jon Corbin,
ORAFOL Americas Inc. Randy Barth from 3M Traffic Safety Systems was
appointed secretary. Jay Bruemmer was presented a plaque and commended
for his service and dedication to the CPC for 2015 and 2016.
A Vendor Presentation Policy was approved at the meeting and will be
presented to the ATSSA board of directors. The goal of the policy is to keep
chapter meetings focused on business matters and education and for sales
presentations to be held outside of official meeting times. When educational
presentations are given at a chapter meeting, it is recommended that they be
topic-based and allow for any member contractor/vendor to participate equally
in those presentations.
Ashley Wieland, director of state government relations program, reviewed
details of ATSSA’s new state program, which include the following goals:
•
Advocate on behalf of ATSSA members before state legislators,
•
Educate legislators on issues of importance to ATSSA members and the
roadway safety industry, and
•
Foster relationships and serve as a resource for legislators.
Jessica Scheyder, director of training, reviewed the details of ATSSA’s training
partner program, available courses, and instructor qualifications. Details were
provided showing how chapters can use the training program to raise funds.
Rita Rose was announced as the new director of member engagement. Rita
reported that new processes and procedures have been implemented to ensure
a consistent level of service from all chapter liaisons. She encouraged chapter
leaders to contact her with feedback and ideas on how the membership
engagement team can continue to best serve the chapters.
Due to membership category changes to the ATSSA national bylaws, all
chapters will need to update their bylaws so they are consistent. Liaisons will
work with each chapter to get all bylaws updated in 2017.
Guardrail Committee
The Guardrail Committee met on Saturday, February 11 during ATSSA’s
Annual Convention and Traffic Expo in Phoenix, Arizona. The committee
was excited to hear presentations from William Faber of Arizona DOT,
James Danila of Massachusetts DOT, Keith Cota of New Hampshire DOT
and Frank Julian of FHWA. Charlie Stevens of TTI provided an update on
the FHWA Hardware ID Methods Project, and Greg Schertz of FHWA
discussed FHWA process improvements and changes (GAO Report). The
committee also discussed future educational needs and identified future
goals to shape the direction of the group.
Temporary Traffic Control Committee
ATSSA’s Temporary Traffic Control (TTC) Committee, chaired by Reed Leidle,
who is vice president of Safety Signs LLC, Lakeville, Minn., enjoyed the
attendance of all except two of the 30 committee members and more than 40
visitors, many from the TTC wait list and friends. The officers of the TTC were
all assembled: Vice Chair Pete Johnston, global marketing manager of
3M-Traffic Safety and Security Division, Saint Paul, Minn.; and Secretary
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