ATSSA Accomplishments Report 2018

American Traffic Safety Services Association 12 Meetings & Conventions ATSSA’s 48th Annual Convention & Traffic Expo breaks records Premier event is largest U.S. trade show for roadway safety infrastructure products and services Itwasarecord-breaking year forATSSA’s 48th Annual Convention & Traffic Expo held at theHenry B. González Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas, from Jan. 26–30. Therewere 3,464 registered event attendees and 567 booths were sold— making it the largest traffic expo in the association’s history. There were also nearly 200 companies exhibiting. ATSSA’s Annual Convention&Traffic Expo has seen steady growth, climbing 16 percent over the last five years. ATSSA’s first trade showwas held in 1970, drawing in 150 attendees, gathered in 8,000 square feet of space. The organiza- tion has come a long way since then. “ATSSA’s 48thAnnual Convention&Traffic Expobrokerecords fornotonly thenumber of exhibit booths, but attendance at the event’s Opening General Session as well. We’reexcited to continuebreaking records and holding the premier event for the roadway safety infrastructure industry in 2019 in Tampa, Florida,” said ATSSA’s DirectorofMeetings&ConventionsNecoya Tyson. Opening General Session The Opening General Session for ATSSA’s 48th Annual Convention & Traffic Expo drew nearly 1,000 individuals who heard presentations from top industry experts, technical andbusinessadvisors, andATSSA members. Ross Shafer, a motivational leadership speaker, former comedian, and TV host, hosted the event that also recognized the winners of three national ATSSA award recipients and the incoming board of directors. Journalist and speaker Greg Lindsay, who is the director of the Emergent Cities Project at the World Policy Institute, a visiting scholar at New York University, andacontributingwriter for Fast Company, touched on some aspects of Automated Vehicles (AVs) and factors to consider as they become more integrated into U.S. communities. Acting Director of the FHWA Brandye Hendericksonmadeherfirstpublicappear- ance in Texas as the leader of the U.S. highway system. She spoke to session attendees about the seriousness of U.S. roadway fatalities. In 2016, more than 37,000 people died on America’s roads with 800 of those deaths occurring in highway work zones. In addition to guest speakers, several ATSSAmembersandstaffdeliveredpresen- tations highlighting work being done to enhance roadway safety, advocating for supporting industry legislation, and ushering in technologies aimedat reducing fatalities and injuries on our nation’s roadways. State Traffic Control Engineer with the Oregon Department of Transportation Scott McCanna provided insight on work zone innovations. Vice President Technical Support andMarketing for Road Systems Incorporated John Durkos provided an update on MASH. ATSSA’s President and CEO Roger Wentz spoke to attendees about factors that may influence the transition to a fully autonomousfleet, andsignificantly change theway individuals thinkabout automobile travel. ATSSA’s Vice President of Government Relations Nate Smith and the Treasurer for Direct Traffic Control Haley Norman presented on the benefits and importance of ATSSA’s Legislative Briefing & Fly-In. Smith also addressed the current political climate as it relates to roadway safety. Educational highlights ATSSA’s Annual Convention&Traffic Expo also offered multiple opportunities to hear about the latest advancements being made in various areas of the roadway safety infrastructure industry. Industry experts held Traffic Talks on the exhibit floor that provided break downs of the infrastructure legislation and funding, the Traffic Control Device Challenge, social media and marketing for businesses, and the work zone safety training grant. Several experts also led educational sessions. This was the first year ATSSA incorporated business sessions into its educational lineup. In addition to oppor- tunities to hear about topics such as work zone Integrated Transportation Systems (ITS), high visibility treatments, and intru- sion technologies, sessions focusing on topics such as liability and business oper- ations were offered.