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The Signal | Winter 2014–2015
Safer Roads Save Lives
the State of the State, funding, and other developments for NCDOT. Nick
Boozer, of the South Carolina DOT (SCDOT), provided the State of the
State for South Carolina. He updated members about leadership for the
SCDOT, funding and other developments.
CHESAPEAKE
Chapter
Oct. 14
—About 25 people, including officials from the Maryland DOT,
Delaware DOT (DelDOT), the Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration
(FMCSA), as well as representatives from the manufacturers, suppliers and
contractors industry attended the meeting at the Traffic Management
Center Training Room in Smyrna, Del.
ATSSA Associate Director of Member Services Linda LaSut discussed
existing and planned ATSSA Chapter development, new partnerships with
the Federal Highway Administration in support of the State Transportation
Innovation Councils and the FMCSA. She described upcoming ATSSA
events, training and the importance of supporting The Foundation.
Adam Weiser, safety officer for the DelDOT, gave an update on the agency’s
safety programs, including Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP) initiatives
of high tension cable barriers, rumble strip installation, investment in high
friction surfacing (testing complete in Sussex County with excellent
results) and the initiation of a pedestrian and bike safety working group.
Patrick Kennedy, of FHWA, DE Division, informed the group about the
USDOT Bicycle and Pedestrian Initiative and the development of Final
Rule on Safety Performance Measures. The state establishes annual targets,
and the state/local/federal agencies work together to maximize
effectiveness. Matheu Carter, of the Delaware Center for Transportation,
spoke of the mission to promote training, technical transfer and implement
research. He emphasized low-cost safety measures, such as LCSI
(reflective signs, larger signs, increased number of signs).
FLORIDA
Chapter
Nov. 6–7
—The chapter Golf Tournament and Annual Meeting was held at
the Baytree National Golf Links in Melbourne, Fla. Teams enjoyed the
challenging course, including golfing around the resident alligators and
abundant wildlife.
Nearly 30 attendees, including representation from the Federal Highway
Administration (FHWA), the Florida DOT (FDOT), and Federal Motor Carrier
Safety Administration (FMCSA), convened for the Annual Chapter
meeting, Nov. 7. ATSSA Director of Member Services Dan Williams,
Associate Director of Member Services Linda LaSut, and Director of
Government Relations Nate Smith, provided updates about strategic
planning work, government relations and upcoming training opportunities.
Guest speaker Khoa Nguyen, of FHWA-FL Division, spoke about the
opportunities for ATSSA members to become involved with the State
Transportation Innovation Councils. Diana Morales, FMCSA-FL Division,
talked about the dynamic work being done on work zone safety. Peter Hsu,
of FDOT, presented an energizing presentation, the “Road Diet” Program,
giving attendees insight into how safety infrastructure is chosen and the
anticipated new demands for the future. FDOT is eager to form new joint
efforts with ATSSA on advancing highway safety in Florida.
GEORGIA
Chapter
Sept. 24
—A record number of attendees were at the chapter’s Annual Jim
Shirley Memorial Scholarship Golf Tournament at Lake Lanier Resort Legacy
Golf Course in Buford, Ga. The tournament was organized by Ryan Shirley
(Safety Signals), and Tim Bradley (Custom Products Corp (CPC) Signs and
Georgia Chapter president). More than 60 attendees, including former
professional athletes Phil Niekro and Arthur Culbreath, raised an estimated
$20,000 and awarded giveaway prizes, such as a new, 50-inch television.
Forty members convened for the chapter meeting at the Lanier Resort the
following day. Director of the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, Harris
Blackwood, spoke about the importance of continuing to educate drivers
and improve driver behavior. “We work closely with a lot of partners, and
we’re bringing county engineers into the fold,” said Blackwood.
Bin Bui, of the Georgia DOT (GDOT) Office of Research, explained the
Federal Highway Administration’s “Every Day Counts” (ED2) initiatives
and gave an overview of some of the 2014 State Transportation Innovation
Council projects. He shared information about the regional summit and ED3
for 2015. Bui focused on High Friction Surfacing Treatments and said GDOT
and Georgia Tech were partnering to map all sites in need of treatments/
with treatments and will study those locations over the next 3–5 years.
HEART OF AMERICA
Chapter
Nov. 18—
The chapter hosted the Kansas Department of Transportation
(KDOT) for its Fall Partnering Meeting at Alvamar Country Club in
Lawrence, Kans. Chapter President Jay Bruemmer (K&G Striping Inc.),
announced that the Chapter donated $2,800 to support The Foundation
($800 for the Sporting Clays Event, $1,000 for The Foundation Golf Classic
and $1,000 for The Foundation’s general fund). David LaRoche, of the
Federal Highway Administration, spoke about funding and EDC 3, and
(From left)
Nelson DeBow, Sales Solutions Inc.; Kirt Guidry,
Crown Technology LLC; Steve Walker, Plastic Safety Systems
Inc.; and Dan Williams, ATSSA Director of Member Services,
teamed up for the Florida ATSSA Chapter Golf Tournament at
the Baytree National Golf Links in Melbourne, Fla., Nov. 6.
(From left)
Justin Butler, Georgia Chapter President Tim Bradley,
Ryan Shirley, Joe Roper and Jay Rutledge took first place in
the Annual Jim Shirley Memorial Scholarship Golf Tournament
at Lake Lanier Resort Legacy Golf Course, Sept. 24.
