Integrating wildlife patterns into roadway plans helps save lives Integrating wildlife patterns into roadway plans helps save lives Summer issue of Roadway Safety magazine explores this lifesaving strategy Pam / Wednesday, August 9, 2023 0 3122 Article rating: 4.8 With elk, mule deer and pronghorn antelope among the many animals trekking across Wyoming, the state’s Department of Transportation knows the importance of being attuned to their daily movements and seasonal migrations. That information is factored into new road projects to help save the lives of both humans and animals. The Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program included as part of the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act (IIJA) is a new source of funding available to aid such mitigation efforts. The Summer issue of ATSSA’s Roadway Safety magazine, now available online, lays out the cost of human-animal collisions across the nation and examines the details of the program to help members understand how they can become involved. Check out this article and more in the latest issue of Roadway Safety magazine. Read more
National Work Zone Awareness Week official kickoff hosted by MoDOT National Work Zone Awareness Week official kickoff hosted by MoDOT Maria Robertson / Tuesday, April 18, 2023 0 2198 Article rating: No rating The National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW) kickoff event was hosted today by the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT). The event was held overlooking the new Lance Cpl. Leon Deraps Interstate 70 westbound bridge over the Missouri river near Rocheport, Mo. During this year’s NWZAW, Gloria Shepherd, executive director for the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) joined MoDOT officials in reminding drivers to keep highway workers safe as construction season. Read more
Work zone traffic fatalities rise nearly 11% Work zone traffic fatalities rise nearly 11% Newly released data shows 108 roadway workers killed in 2021 Pam / Thursday, April 13, 2023 0 4848 Article rating: 1.0 Fatalities in roadway work zones increased nearly 11% from 2020 to 2021, with deaths rising from 863 to 956, according to newly released federal data. Drivers and passengers accounted for 778 of the 956 fatalities for 2021, data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) shows. “The continuing increase in work zone fatalities drives home the importance of National Work Zone Awareness Week, which begins on Monday,” said ATSSA President & CEO Stacy Tetschner. “We encourage every driver to be vigilant as they approach work zones and travel through them. This time of year sees a surge in work zones on the nation’s roadways so it’s important for everyone to recognize they play a role in work zone safety and to work with us.” Read more
ATSSA’s president will discuss NWZAW on Transport Topics Radio ATSSA’s president will discuss NWZAW on Transport Topics Radio Catch Stacy Tetschner live on Saturday at 1 p.m. ET or via three rebroadcasts on SiriusXM Pam / Wednesday, April 12, 2023 0 3559 Article rating: No rating ATSSA President & CEO Stacy Tetschner will be the guest on Transport Topics Radio this Saturday to discuss roadway safety in conjunction with National Work Zone Awareness Week, which runs April 17-21. The Road Dog Trucking radio program airs live at 1 p.m. Saturday and rebroadcasts at 11 p.m. Saturday, and noon and 9 p.m. Sunday. All times are Eastern Time. Tetschner will speak during the first ½-hour segment of the two-hour program, which airs on SiriusXM Radio, Channel 146. Read more
Everyone plays a role in work zone safety Everyone plays a role in work zone safety Work with us during National Work Zone Awareness Week to protect workers, motorists Pam / Wednesday, April 5, 2023 0 5666 Article rating: 5.0 FREDERICKSBURG, Va. (April 5, 2023) – The recent tragedy near Baltimore, Md., where six roadway workers were killed when one vehicle apparently collided with another before crashing into their work zone demonstrates the tremendous risk workers face each day while seeking to earn a living. “These six individuals went to work that day simply to do their part to provide safe highways for the motoring public. But they didn’t make it home to their families, who are now left to grieve as they face life without them,” said ATSSA President & CEO Stacy Tetschner. “The roadway safety industry does its best to provide safe workspaces for its personnel and continually looks for new strategies to prevent such tragedies but the fact is, everyone plays a role in work zone safety and we need everyone to work with us.” National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW) was established more than two decades ago to increase attention to the need for motorists to exercise caution when approaching and passing through roadway work zones. In 2020, the most recent year for which statistics are available, 857 people were killed in work zones with another 44,240 injured, according to the National Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse. Read more