ATSSA Signal September October 2020

ATSSA News 5) Street Talk with Stacy Tetschner 6) Sharing the road 11) Bicycle use surges in 2020 14) USDOT summit highlights pedestrian safety initiatives Innovation 17) Head protection leaps into 21st century 21) ATSSA case studies address work zone safety solutions 24) ATSSA staff represents members on key issues Meetings & Conventions 27) 51st Convention & Traffic Expo breaks the mold The Foundation 29) Golf Classic marks 30 years at Convention 32) Convention scholarships open doors 33) News Briefs 35) Student’s dreams live on despite father’s death in highway incident Training 38) ATSSA welcomes new training director Member Engagement 40) Transportation Conversations: James M. Bass, Texas Department of Transportation Executive Director 43) Chapter Profile: Texas Chapter networking scores legislative win TABLE OF CONTENTS 5 17 27 29 38 40 All editorial copy contained in The Signal is written or edited for the publication by the ATSSA staff. Theopinions, beliefs, and viewpoints expressed by the occasional guest authors outside the association who submit articles do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs, and viewpoints of ATSSA or the official policies of ATSSA. Story ideas, comments, suggestions, or letters to the editor should be submitted by email to [email protected] . All advertising inquiries should be directed to LLM Publications at 800-647-1511 ext. 2234 or by email at [email protected] . CHAIR Greg Driskell CHAIR-ELECT Jeff Johnson IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR Juan Arvizu PAST CHAIR Debra Ricker BOARD OF DIRECTORS Tim McNelis Michael Granger Sue Willman Kevin Harrison Cecil Brown Mary Beth Klein Larry Boise Doug Dolinar David Preston Scott Marion William Lovewell Kevin Shelton, CPC Representative (Ex Officio) David Krahulec, Foundation President (Ex Officio) Since 1969, the American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA), an international trade association, has represented companies and individuals in the traffic control and roadway safety industries. ATSSA members provide the majority of roadway safety features, services, and materials used on America’s roadways. ATSSA’s more than 1,500 member companies and public agenciesmake our nation’s roadways safer. ATSSA is committed to an environment where roadway safety is always improving. ATSSA is the leader in roadway safety issues, with a heavy emphasis on roadway work zone safety, pavement markings, guardrail, signage, traffic control safety devices, traffic signals unit, and roadway worker training. The Signal is published six times annually for ATSSA’s members. ATSSA is not responsible for the text or visual content of paid advertisements. Contact Us Board of Directors 15 Riverside Parkway Fredericksburg, Va. 22406-1077 Twitter.com/ATSSAHQ Linkedin.com/company/211638 Ph: 540-368-1701 Toll Free: 800-272-8772 [email protected] ATSSA.com Flagger.com Editorial & Advertising Facebook.com/atssatraffic Youtube.com/atssawebmaster On the cover: Reginald “Reggie” Patterson, the Richmond District Safety Manager for the Virginia Department of Transportation, wears one of the new safety helmets VDOT is switching to for greater protection of field personnel following field testing. (Photo courtesy of VDOT)