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The Signal | Winter 2014–2015
Safer Roads Save Lives
Neil Eric Boudreau
, director of traffic & safety/state traffic engineer for the Massachusetts
Department of Transportation (MassDOT)—Highway Division, in Boston, will attend ATSSA’s
45th Annual Convention & Traffic Expo thanks to the association’s Transportation Official
Scholarship. ATSSA offers transportation officials, such as Boudreau, up to $1,500 to attend the
event, giving them the opportunity to view the newest products and services for the roadway
safety industry at the Traffic Expo.
“It’s important to the exhibitors to have the decision makers present at Traffic Expo,” said
Melanie McKee, director of meetings & conventions. “The trade show floor is where they can
meet with nearly 200 exhibitors face-to-face and learn about their products. There is no better
forum in North America for the roadway safety industry than ATSSA’s Convention & Traffic
Expo for transportation officials and our exhibitors.”
The Transportation Official Scholarship program was implemented after members of ATSSA’s
Manufacturers & Suppliers Committee suggested that the association develop this program to
help bring the transportation agency employees to the convention. The program debuted in 2009
when 30 scholarships, each valued at up to $1,200, were awarded. They increased in value to
$1,500 the second year of the program. The scholarships cover the expense of round-trip airfare,
hotel accommodations, meals and registration that allows the transportation officials to
participate in the entire schedule of convention and trade show events. After the program’s initial
year, it consistently grew in popularity, with an increase in scholarships each year.
“There is a true passion for making a difference that
makes you want to participate and be an active part
of ATSSA,” said Boudreau. “ATSSA brings all of my
work experience and responsibilities together in one
organization. The ATSSA membership is diverse in
that it brings industry manufacturers and
practitioners, research specialists, consultants, safety
advocacy groups, and local, state and federal
government together. The training and technical
support documents that ATSSA develops for its
members and the public are prepared with a focus on
all aspects of the transportation industry and not solely on one aspect. This helps give the work
done by ATSSA and its committees credibility and demonstrates a commitment to the safety of
the public and those working on our roadways. Each member is united in the goal of providing
for safer infrastructure and work zones to all road users.”
Boudreau said the Transportation Official Scholarship is important because it provides an
opportunity for public agency officials to attend the Expo when they might not have been able to
do so because of restrictive travel budgets. It provides a chance for public agency members to
interact with their peers and learn about successes in other states or regions, as well as to meet with
industry representatives who have the knowledge base to support the challenges faced every day.
Boudreau has worked in various roles within the traffic engineering and safety management
groups for the MassDOT since 1995. He was promoted to director of traffic and safety last year
after serving as state traffic engineer since 2007. A graduate of the University of Massachusetts
at Lowell, Boudreau earned a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering in 1992 and a
master of science degree in civil engineering, transportation major, in 1995.
Boudreau is a member of the National Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. He is a
20-year member of the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE), where he served as president
of the New England Chapter in 2006. He currently works to support the Federal Highway
Administration with its “Every Day Counts 3” campaign in the area of smarter work zones.
Transportation Official Receives Scholarship to
Attend ATSSA’s 45th Annual Convention & Traffic Expo
How Transportation
Official Scholarships
Are Awarded
Transportation Official Scholarships
have increased each year since the
program’s inception, more than
doubling from 30 scholarships in
2009 to 70 in 2015. ATSSA offers
scholarships to the voting members
of the American Association of State
Highway and Transportation Officials
(AASHTO) in the following committees:
• Highway Safety Committee
• Highway Subcommittee
on Traffic Engineering
• Subcommittee on Safety
Management
• National Transportation Product
Evaluation Program (NTPEP)
Program Project Panel Chairs
• Subcommittee on Maintenance
(a new addition in 2015)
In the event that invitees don’t
respond by the deadline, the extra
scholarships are given to individuals
who are nominated by ATSSA
members. In addition, a transpor
tation official may opt to designate a
qualified member of his staff to use
his scholarship with approval from
ATSSA’s Meetings & Conventions
Director Melanie McKee.
Neil Eric Boudreau, director
of traffic & safety/state traffic
engineer, Massachusetts Dept
of Transportation—Highway Div.
Spreading Knowledge at ATSSA’s
Annual Convention & Traffic Expo
Transportation Official Scholarship Program
2014
68 awarded
$78,500
2013
65 awarded
$76,900
2012
50 awarded
$53,400
2011
45 awarded
$50,500
2010
30 awarded
$33,200
2009
30 awarded
$36,200
