ATSSA Signal May June 2019

The Signal | May/June 2019 35 Convention Meeting Summaries The High Friction Surface Treatment (HFST) Council met with 32 members in attendance. The communication and outreach sub- committee brought forth a suggestion to the council to remove outdated HFST specifications from the ATSSA website. During the Member Engagement Com- mittee meeting it was announced that the ATSSA Member Savings Program is now official. In addition to adding the SBA Loan program for association mem- bers, the committee discussed addition- al options to research. The task force will be vetting and deciding on additional member savings programs to add in 2019, ATSSA members met in Tampa, Florida for committee and council meetings at ATSSA’s 49th Annual Convention & Traffic Expo, to discuss initiatives and work to move the roadway safety infrastructure industry forward. ATSSA’s President and CEO Roger Wentz (pictured) shared insight on the industry during ATSSA’s Circle of Innovation, Solutions Edition event. Scott McCanna (pictured), was a recipient of this year’s National Safety Award. High Friction Surface Treatment Council Member Engagement Committee New council members Jacob Falbo of Mineral Manufacturing and Rick Douds of the Georgia Department of Transpor- tation were welcomed to the group. Joe Cheung of the Federal Highway Admin- istration (FHWA) gave a presentation on FHWA HFST usage, and Dick Albin of FHWA discussed reducing rural road- way departures. including APPI Energy, ADP Payroll, CLC Card, and Lenovo. The results from the 2018 beta test for workman’s compensation insurance is complete. After reviewing feedback from the member companies who participat- ed in the beta test, the committee has dissolved its efforts. Donna Harding of the West Virginia De- partment of Transportation presented on HFST project funding in West Virgin- ia, and Charles Holzschuher of the Flor- ida Department of Transportaion dis- cussed the department’s assessment of green colored bike lanes. A new chair and vice chair will be elected at ATSSA’s Midyear Meeting in August. The Young Industry Professional (YIP) updates were presented to the commit- tee. This group hasmany ideas to engage the next generation of roadway safety professionals in the industry, including incorporating the YIP program with the chapters, launching an online commu- nity, and virtual “Lunch-N-Learns.” Innovation Council The Innovation Council meeting includ- ed a conversation with the Automotive Safety Council (ASC) regarding signage and machine vision. The council elected a new chair, Ben Jef- frey, and vice chair, Scott McCanna. Rick Smith was appointed as secretary. Many topics presented by the subcom- mittees and task forces touched on get- ting more involved in various events happening around the country, such as ATSSA co-organizing and moderating sessions at conferences to discuss road- way safety infrastructure innovation. The Work Zone Intelligent Transporta- tion Systems (WZ ITS) group spoke about its stock PowerPoint presentation to be used at chapter events. This was de- signed to create a baseline understand- ing of the systems and benefits of WZ ITS. The group also approved funding to print a WZ ITS infographic fact sheet to demonstrate the proliferation of the cost, and lifesaving benefits of WZ ITS systems. The council put together a task force to review the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) comments and will continue with the ASC group at the Midyear Meeting in August.