Purpose
The American Traffic Safety Services Association envisions a future in which
roadway safety is always improving. To make that goal a reality, ATSSA
will need to utilize all its resources to make sure the motoring public,
regulatory agencies and elected officials understand our issues and sense
that improving roadway safety is a necessity.
Ensuring that our voice is heard on regulatory and legislative issues is not a luxury, it is a matter of survival. If we do not communicate our positions effectively and serve as a resource to these decision-making bodies, others, who often do not have our best interest at heart, will.
This manual is designed to give Chapters and their Chapter's Legislative Liaison the tools they need both to react and be proactive regarding legislative and regulatory roadway safety issues at the state and local level. The first section focuses on developing effective relationships with key regulatory and legislative agencies and committees. Many problems can be avoided by simply taking the time to develop relationships with those key persons who serve at crucial points in the legislative and regulatory process. The second section focuses on impacting specific issues through the regulatory and legislative process. The final section deals with how to utilize the press and other industry to garner the motoring public's support for roadway safety issues.
ATSSA has many tools to assist you in carrying out your responsibilities as chapter officers. We recognize that all of ATSSA's chapter members are busy individuals who are sacrificing their time to serve your industry. Please feel free to contact us at any time for assistance in implementing any aspect of the manual, or, if necessary, to help you get started.
Improving Roadway Safety at the Local Level
ATSSA
Chapters - Key to Success
While every ATSSA member has the right to express their opinion to an elected
official on roadway safety issues, legislators have a limited amount of time
to deal with the multitude of issues that cross their desk. They simply do
not have time to investigate every claim that their constituency makes on
issues. That is why legislators rely heavily on the word of regulatory agencies
and proven private sector resources such as trade associations.
ATSSA chapter members have a limited amount of time to donate to promoting industry issues designed to improve roadway safety. Before a chapter discusses the "process" of promoting roadway safety and what events and programs to develop, chapter members need to get clear on what issues are of the highest priority to the chapter. It is easy to forget sometimes that chapter members do not exist to fulfill the needs of the meetings, "How To's," "Give and Takes" and the like, those meetings exist to assist members in making important changes that improve roadway safety, save lives, and make the working environment better.
Is It Important?
States have never had a greater opportunity to use transportation dollars
in support of upgrading our nation's roadway safety infrastructure. Under
TEA-21, states can be flexible with up to 50% of their federal core highway
program dollars to high priority core highway program areas. This change
provides ATSSA chapters with the challenge of making the case to key DOT
and elected officials that improving the roadway safety infrastructure must
be a high state priority.
Developing a strong issue-based chapter program is not a luxury. While current funding for road construction and maintenance programs is at an all time high, Congress is currently reviewing legislation, supported by the states, that would allow states to spread out 50% of their federal highway program funding from roadway related projects to support mass transit and rail projects. Key funding decisions are increasingly being made at the state, not national, level. Unfortunately, you just need to talk with industry leaders in Atlanta, Houston and the Washington, DC to realize that those groups with anti-growth, pro-transit agendas have their greatest influence at the local level. Building a relationship with your legislator on the local level now, will help your chapter to be recognized as a unified force behind the issue of advancing roadway safety within the community. When there is a question regarding roadway safety, you want your local officials to contact ATSSA first for the solution. When the monies from reauthorization trickle down from the National level to the state level, the bond you have built with your local legislator will serve the industry well.
"One
Piece at a Time"
"You can't fix everything at once." If you try to do it all fast, you
are likely to do little more than frustrate your members and accomplish little.
Settle on no more than two key issues to work with and clear benchmarks so that
everyone knows when success is achieved. Issues can range from promoting work
zone safety to getting a clarification on a pavement marking specification. Benchmarks
could include short-term goals such as getting the state to recognize ATSSA's
National Work Zone Safety Awareness Week or simply getting the DOT to write a
letter with specific language describing the exact pavement marking specification.
In addition to working on two key issues, the chapter should also determine how they want to develop channels of communication with the DOT and the legislature. Development is the key. It does not mean that the first thing a chapter should do is march on the state capitol and meet with every single legislator from the beginning. Developing a relationship means taking a long-term approach that will pay dividends two or three years down the road. With legislators it may mean having the Chapter President and chapter members meet with the key transportation committee staff and offer the chapter and ATSSA staff as a resource. With the DOT it could be having chapter members sit on various technical committees. The goal is to open communications between the chapter and the two key policy makers to ensure security through good communications.
Use
National to Sell Chapter Locally
As
an ATSSA chapter you can draw upon the association's
reputation to help you begin positioning
yourself as a resource for regulatory and
elected officials on roadway safety issues.
Often, elected officials and their staff
find themselves dealing with an issue that
they have never before encountered. As an
example, this happened in Vermont where a
bill was introduced to eliminate the use
of thermoplastic because a cyclist complained.
ATSSA sent the chair of the Pavement Marking
Committee and with the assistance of other
industry leaders, educated the state's House
Transportation Committee on the issue. The
legislation died in the committee before
it forced the whole state House membership
to record their position on the issue.
Vermont is a small state without a chapter. In this example, ATSSA had to react to a situation because no effective vehicle was in place to prevent such a bill from being introduced. If Vermont had been a state like Texas, for example, when the legislator on the Transportation Committee had received the constituent's complaint, it is likely that they would have contacted the Texas Chapter President or its Executive Director. Why? Because Texas has been cultivating a relationship with the legislature for a few years. Legislative staff knows about TxATSSA. They have visited with TxATSSA leaders and chapter members, spoken at TxATSSA chapter meetings, heard the Chapter President speak before the House Transportation Committee, received various ATSSA publications, and are briefed periodically on industry issues.
This type of pro-active issue education program works well with the state DOT's as well as the legislators. Regulatory bodies are impaired by lack of staff and are increasingly reliant on others to supply them with current industry information. Each chapter should develop a consistent method of delivering and receiving industry information with DOT's. ATSSA chapters have been very good at this type of communication with regulatory agencies.
Results
This chapter manual is meant as a living document. Times and issues change
and the document will be updated periodically to keep pace. It is not
meant as a one-size-fits-all document. In other words, not everything
that works in Texas will work in Arizona or Michigan. However, it is
designed to assist all ATSSA chapters in achieving positive results.
Building
a Shared Vision
Prior
to beginning an advocacy effort with legislative
or regulatory agencies a chapter needs to
develop your shared vision and buy-in from
its members on the goals and tactics. Many
members may not understand the purpose of
a state chapter. Some may have different
opinions regarding the most important industry
issues. While it may be impossible to develop
consensus on all issues, it is essential
that the chapter develop a consensus regarding
the issues to be addressed, the basic purpose
of the chapter, and the tactics to be used
to achieve the goals.
As a chapter leader, how do you find out what your chapter members really want? There are numerous ways for leaders. "You", as a leader, to discover what the member's interests are and to prioritize them. Three ways to accomplish this are:
-
Strategic Planning -Members can assemble to conduct a strategic planning session to establish and prioritize goals based on ATSSA's understanding of industry needs.
-
Member Survey - A simple survey of chapter members can be effective in determining how the members view the chapter's purpose, goals and actions.
-
Focus Groups - Chapter members can meet with a group of key DOT officials and state House and Senate Transportation Committee staff to discuss roadway safety issues and develop a set of high-priority issues.
Establish
Goals
Once you have determined the key issues, chapter leaders need to set out
a series of short, medium and long-term goals designed to measure progress.
Short-term goals should be achievable within three to six months. Medium-range
goals should be achievable within six months to a year. Long-range goals
should be achievable in one to three years.
This process works with any issue the chapter wants to address. First, discover what issue or issues chapter members consider important. Second, be clear on the end results desired. Third, set long, medium and short-range goals. Finally, constantly report to chapter members on the progress of the short, medium and long-range goals. Note: As you complete the first six month's set of goals you will find that you need to develop a second set of "short-term" goals. These do not replace your medium range goals until the medium-range goals are achieved or it is determined that it is no longer a goal.
When developing your goals, start with the long-range goals. You need to be clear on the end result you want to see realized before you can set goals on how to achieve them. If the chapter chooses improving work zone safety through better inspection and enforcement of traffic control plans, the following might be list of possible long, medium and short-range goals:
Long-Range Examples (One to Three Years)
-
Industry training in how to properly install temporary traffic control devices is strongly encouraged on all DOT projects and mandatory on "high-risk" projects. DOT inspectors are well trained in how to inspect temporary traffic control zones.
-
DOT implements a program designed to ensure that project engineers are trained in how to inspect temporary traffic control zones.
-
Training to properly install temporary traffic control devices is strongly encouraged on all DOT projects and mandatory on "high-risk" projects
-
DOT inspectors routinely inspect work zones and enforce traffic control plans.
Medium-Range Examples (Six to Eighteen Months)
-
Chapter sponsors a series of work zone inspection courses for public officials.
-
Chapter works with DOT to adjust the work zone inspection course to meet all state standards.
-
Chapter leaders periodically brief key legislative staff and committee chairs on the issue.
-
Utilize the National Work Zone Safety Awareness Week activities to highlight the importance of work zone inspection and enforcement as a key safety element.
- Bring press to a work zone and point out the dangers (traffic, line of sight, driver inattention, etc.).
- Have chapter leaders visit with state House and Senate Transportation Committee staffers to brief them on issue.
- Get the DOT to endorse National Work Zone Safety Awareness Week and develop joint DOT/chapter activities with other transportation organizations.
- Have the State Legislature declare the second week of April as National Work Zone Awareness Week. For example: The California Chapter has built close relationships with their legislature to have this accomplished.
Short Range Examples (Three to Six Months)
-
Have the Chapter President send a letter to the State Traffic Engineer at the DOT requesting a meeting to discuss the issue.
-
Have the Chapter President schedule a personal meeting with the main staff person on the state House and Senate transportation committees where the president, with possible assistance from a knowledgeable chapter member, would confer with the staff.
-
Send a letter to the DOT asking them to work with the chapter to utilize the ATSSA-FHWA-AASHTO sponsored National Work Zone Safety Awareness Week to highlight work zone safety issues.
Each and every chapter meeting should have an agenda item that allows the chapter's legislative liaison to brief members on the progress and next steps that are planned as a result of the Government Relations Committee meetings. Too often, plans become documents on a shelf that are only remembered when it comes time for the next set of leaders to revisit it. If chapter members are kept informed they are much more likely to continue to support activities designed at achieving the desired results.
Credibility
- Build Relationships of Trust
While it is essential for a chapter to set a series of initial goals and
objectives, a crucial part of developing a strong program pertains to opening
permanent lines of communication with regulatory agencies and the legislature.
Depending on the initial set of issues the chapter chooses to advance, many
of these channels will be opened in pursuing some of the shorter-range goals.
However, a chapter needs to work into its permanent rotation a series of
activities that tie the legislature and the DOT to the chapter.
Regulatory
On the regulatory side, chapter leaders should develop a master list of key
DOT contacts. These contacts may be different in each state. In some
states, districts are very important. In other states, all the rules
emanate from the central office. Either way, developing a master list
of key individuals is a crucial first step.
Chapter leaders should involve key DOT personnel in chapter activities and work to provide these key DOT personnel with information that will help them to fulfill their job responsibilities. Great resources for DOT officials are the ATSSA Flash, Signal, and the chapter section of the website. These publications provide the latest in industry news and information. They point DOT officials to the ATSSA website where additional information can be found.
Invite chapter members to participate on the ATSSA Listserv. The Listserv links industry leaders all around the country to each other and to anyone with questions on roadway safety issues. A person submits a question that is then forwarded to all the list-serve participants. People can respond to the inquiry using their expertise to answer other industry member's queries. The list-serve can enhance the official's sense of ATSSA as a tremendous resource for them to draw upon to answer questions they may have regarding how to implement various regulations or manage with local problems.
State Legislatures
The first step in opening up a relationship between the chapter and the legislature
is to determine who are the key legislators that govern industry issues.
The obvious answer would be to start with the state House and Senate transportation
committees. However, when it comes to work zone safety, many states have
labor and OSHA related committees.
The chapter legislative liaison, the Chapter President, and the members should set up appointments to meet with the primary legislative staff person on the House or Senate transportation committee, especially those members who reside in the district of the Transportation & Infrastructure Chairperson. During the meeting, chapter members should ask the staff person questions such as the following:
-
Which legislative committee has jurisdiction over (work zone safety, road construction and maintenance funding, the DOT's budget etc.)?
-
Are you aware of any legislators that have a strong passion for promoting roadway safety issues?
-
Does the transportation committee conduct oversight hearings?
-
What does the chair of the committee consider to be the highest priority transportation issues?
The goal is to develop a list of individuals and committee's that may be of most use to promoting the chapter's issues.
Once you have developed the list, the Chapter President should send a letter introducing the chapter to these key people. Start using your chapter meetings as opportunities to invite these legislators and their staff to speak to the chapter on specific issues. For these meetings it is important that the chapter "pack the house" to show the legislator the sincere interest the chapter has in the issues at hand. The goal is to slowly introduce key players to the chapter in a manageable way using many of the meetings already called for in your chapter by-laws.
Other types of communication channels available to assist chapters in working with public officials include:
-
Chapter Meetings: Each chapter is required to conduct a minimum number of two chapter meetings throughout the year. Chapter meetings provide excellent opportunities to exchange information with regulatory and legislative bodies. Each chapter meeting should have a representative from the Federal Highway Administration and the state DOT in attendance.
-
Bi-Annual Briefings by DOT: These "state of the State" updates let the chapter members know what new projects and specifications the DOT are working on.
-
"How To's" & Forums: These conferences are usually two, to two and a half days in duration. They focus on a wider range of issues and are usually more geared towards getting information out to broader audiences. Both can have legislative elements, but are primarily regulatory in nature.
-
Regulatory Liaison Committees: Many DOT's have established liaison committees with the industry to periodically review specialized issues. The chapter should try and find ways to provide these committee meetings with new information on industry issues (NCHRP Report 350, Minimum Levels of Retroreflectivity, etc.)
Once the chapter has introduced itself to key legislative players it is important that there be periodic contacts with these key individuals. Some possible ways of maintaining contact with these key individuals include:
-
Chapter President/Board Visits: The original letter of introduction should be followed up by a personal visit by the Chapter President and the Chapter Legislative Liaison. In larger chapters the board of directors can also attend. The meetings should be brief (no more than ½ hour), and should focus primarily on the chapter serving as a resource. Offer to place the legislator on the ATSSA Roadway Safety Listserv and ATSSA Flash e-mail list.
-
Chapter Events: In the larger chapters inviting key legislators or staff to brief members at a chapter meeting, or "How To" session can help illustrate the chapter's industry role.
-
Yearly Legislative Visit:
-
Board/Chapter President - In building relationships with key committee members, ATSSA chapter boards or the Chapter President and Chapter Legislative Liaison should plan on meeting with key officials at least once yearly. Chapter members should be encouraged to contact their elected officials by mail or in person to discuss issues.
-
General Membership: Larger ATSSA chapters can take advantage of their numbers by conducting a full membership legislative visit. This legislative day should take the place of one chapter meeting. The first legislative visit should focus on assisting chapter members in building a relationship with their elected officials while at the same time having chapter leaders meet with key committee staff and elected officials. Briefing materials should be provided to chapter members prior to the event and special training in how to present information to an elected official should occur the day of the legislative visits. The legislative fly-in should be followed by periodic communications regarding the various issues. ATSSA members should invite their elected officials to visit their offices and meet with employees. ATSSA national can provide members detailed information regarding legislators for both their home and work addresses.
-
Aligned
Associations
There are numerous groups who might be of assistance in advancing roadway
safety issues. Given that some of ATSSA's issues call for changing current
funding priorities to provide additional funds for upgrading the nation's
roadway safety infrastructure, there are groups who may oppose our positions.
Either way it is important to identify associations such as Associated General
Contractors (AGC), Road Builder chapters, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD)
and American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) and determine the best
way to work with these groups to promote roadway safety issues. It is especially
helpful to develop a good working relationship with prime or general contractor
associations, such as AGC, at the local level. These groups have a well-connected
political presence at the state level and can be strong allies or difficult
opponents on various issues. Good communication between ATSSA and AGC chapters
can lead to a very positive relationship even when we take opposite positions
on issues. While most of a chapters advocacy efforts should be focused on
the regulatory and legislative process, building good relationships with
key groups can be the difference between success and failure on issues.
Working with the Media
In addition to communicating with the regulatory, legislative bodies and
aligned associations, whom are all a significant factor in the delivery of
a positive safety message; another important player in the process is the
media. Roadway safety and transportation issues in general are newsworthy.
Certain issues are very susceptible to media coverage (older driver issues,
work zone safety). Politicians are especially susceptible to media scrutiny.
If the press tells its readers/viewers/listeners about our issues, politicians
know that these are voters. Using the media can be a double-edged sword.
Before deciding to involve the media in chapter activities, a chapter should
consult with ATSSA's Communications Department at 800-272-8772. They will
assist in making contacts and framing the issue in as positive a light as
possible for the media.
