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The Signal | Winter 2014–2015
Safer Roads Save Lives
PUBLIC RELATIONS AND
COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT
High Friction Surface
Treatments
A new Federal Highway Administration video,
“High Friction Surface Treatments,” was
produced in 2014 by ATSSA. Many industry
officials (local, state and federal) and ATSSA
members served on a Blue-Ribbon advisory
committee during the production of the video
—from early development of the script to the
final edit. Committee members included
Joseph Cheung, Frank Julian and Mike Moravec
(all of FHWA), James Baron and Donna Clark
(both from ATSSA), Derrick Castle (Kentucky
Transportation Cabinet), Danny Lane
(Tennessee DOT), Rob Dingess (Mercer
Strategic Alliance, Inc.), Richard Baker (DBi
Services), Dave Merritt (The Transtec Group,
Inc.), Glyn Owen (Traffic Calming USA), Joy
Shamay (Evonik Corp.), Gregg Freeman (Kwik
Bond Polymers) and Rob Olenoski
(International Cybernetics Corp.). A large list
of “special thanks” on the project is listed in the
closing credits of the video—which is available
on YouTube. Simply visit YouTube and search
“FHWA/ATSSA High Friction Surface
Treatments.” As of December 2014, the video
had over 600 worldwide views. The video was
edited and produced by Clark Bavin and John
Bradley at Video Solutions Corp. in
Alexandria, Va. The video has been submitted
for several prestigious national broadcasting
awards for broadcast excellence.
Circle of Innovation
Over the years, ATSSA’s Circle of Innovation workshop has provided a unique “one
of a kind” venue for state DOT roadway and safety engineers to present their unmet
needs, innovations and ideas to ATSSA Traffic Expo exhibitors, manufacturers and
suppliers in a vibrant, theater-style setting. Nearly 200 roadway safety professionals
packed the room for the 2014 Circle, and nearly 50 innovative roadway safety ideas
came to light in the workshop. The 2015 Circle at Tampa’s Traffic Expo promises to
be even bigger—with 30+ state DOTs representatives expected.
Topics brainstormed during the workshop include innovations in signs, pavement
markings, guardrail/cable, roadside safety devices, Intelligent Transportation Systems,
vehicle-to-infrastructure technology, work zone worker personal safety and safety
devices, positive guidance in work zones, motorcycle rider safety, FHWA’s “Every
Day Counts” initiative, State Transportation Innovation Councils, trucks in work
zones, associations’ innovations, and other current roadway safety topic areas.
>>>
Do you have an innovative idea that will make U.S. roadways safer? Share it with
the roadway safety industry by e-mailing
.
(from left)
ATSSA President & CEO Roger Wentz
joins Pete Speer, of Pexco/Davidson Traffic
Control Products, and Justin Vann, of 3M Traffic
Safety Systems during NWZAW.
National Work Zone Awareness Week
The April 7, 2014 National Work Zone Awareness
Week (NWZAW) event in Seattle, Wash., was an
overwhelming success. ATSSA worked closely
with Washington State DOT and other entities to
develop the national poster, the slogan and the
event itself at Washington’s SR 99 Alaskan Way
Viaduct Replacement project in downtown Seattle.
The event included transportation officials, workers
and families affected by work zone accidents.
During the ceremony, FHWA Deputy Administrator
Greg Nadeau paid tribute to the 59 WSDOT
employees who died in work zone-related
activities since 1950 and presented the NWZAW
“Host State” trophy to Washington DOT.
FHWA Deputy Administrator
Greg Nadeau presents the
2014 NWZAW Host State
Trophy to Washington State
DOT Secretary Lynn Peterson
in Seattle, Wash., April 8.
ATSSA honored Matt Long of the South
Carolina Radio Network in 2014 with
the prestigious ATSSA National Media
Award—given each year to a journalist
who is fair and accurate in the reporting
of transportation-related stories.
Nominations for the award are received
from DOT public affairs offices across
the country. Winners are selected by the
ATSSA Board of Directors. The 2015
award will be presented in Tampa,
Florida during Traffic Expo’s Opening
General Session from 8:30–10
am
on
Sunday, Feb. 8.
James Baron, ATSSA’s director
of communications & public
relations
(right),
and Matt Long,
of South Carolina Radio Network.
