Fahad Alhajri is a relative newcomer to the transportation industry but is keenly interested in work zone safety and pursuing his goals of becoming the state work zone engineer for the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) and a national expert in temporary traffic control.

So when he learned about the Marty Weed Engineering Scholarship that would cover travel expenses up to $1,500 to attend ATSSA’s Annual Convention & Traffic Expo, he submitted an application.

Alhajri and Lance McDonald of the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) were the first two recipients of the scholarship.

If you couldn’t tune in yesterday, you can now watch ATSSA’s second Town Hall in which we heard from ATSSA staff, a master instructor and two members who have been using the online training resources.

“Innovations in Online Training to Keep Your Employees Engaged" covered the many options ATSSA now offers for training and the changes implemented to meet members’ needs after social distancing guidelines and travel restrictions related to COVID-19 limited the opportunity for in-person classes.

ATSSA President & CEO Stacy Tetschner sent letters to Federal Communications Commission Chair Ajit Pai and U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao this week strongly endorsing the Alliance for Automotive Innovation’s letter committing to fully utilize the bands of spectrum allocated for transportation safety.

“The commitment undertaken by the Auto Innovators reflects a watershed moment for roadway safety. This letter demonstrates a unified industry committing substantial resources and support for Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X). This approach should dispel any notion that the industry will not deploy V2X or that the Safety Spectrum will not be used,” Tetschner wrote.

With social distancing in place and travel to training sites hindered, how can you keep your team equipped for their duties as essential workers in a critical industry?

ATSSA’s next Town Hall brings together industry leaders and ATSSA team members to discuss how The Association has pivoted to meet members’ training and certification needs in unprecedented times.

The April 28 session on “Innovations in Online Training to Keep Your Employees Engaged" includes a demonstration of virtual training and insights from ATSSA Master Instructor Eric Perry, who also serves as The Association’s director of innovation and technical services.