Limit your risk in contracts with help from new ATSSA group Limit your risk in contracts with help from new ATSSA group Register now for Nov. 8 webinar on ‘Leveling the playing field’ Pam / Tuesday, August 23, 2022 0 12643 Article rating: 5.0 The overreaching contractual obligation to assume responsibility for another party beyond the extent of your own negligence or willful misconduct is unreasonable and a clear and present danger to the roadway safety infrastructure industry. Michael Capell of Brown & Brown recently listened while an ATSSA member shared an experience, recounting the unsettling details of a lawsuit that altogether changed his approach to every project. For this member, had it not been for a negotiated settlement in exchange for a full release, a jury award would have easily exceeded the company’s available limits of liability insurance and forced a sell-off of corporate assets. The hard-to-swallow reality of the matter was that his involvement was simply a consequence of a far-reaching contractual obligation. The business survived, with the experience serving as an endless reminder to never again roll over for blanket contractual risk shifting. This member now fires back, many times successfully negotiating a narrowed responsibility that is fairly and appropriately aligned with his company’s presence on a project, something previously thought unachievable. These circumstances are all too familiar and place high priority for the continued drive for awareness and education of the issues, contract review protocols and a push for legislative changes. A new group of ATSSA members and volunteers has formed to assist members and will be presenting a webinar on Nov. 8 and a panel at the 2023 Convention & Traffic Expo in Phoenix. Read more
Midyear Meeting starts Tuesday in Rhode Island Midyear Meeting starts Tuesday in Rhode Island General session will address ongoing supply chain challenges Pam / Monday, August 22, 2022 0 8106 Article rating: 5.0 ATSSA’s Midyear Meeting kicks off on Tuesday, launching the annual collaboration of industry insiders gathered to address the latest innovations and challenges in the roadway safety infrastructure industry. This year’s event takes place in Providence, R.I., where Wednesday’s agenda includes a panel discussion on workforce, materials and supply chain issues. “Construction and transportation industry challenges – potholes on the industry highway” will be moderated by ATSSA Vice President of Engagement Nate Smith. Panelists include Kate Fox Wood, senior director of government relations with the Association of Equipment Manufacturers, Jonathan Starks of FTR, who is a longtime member of the freight industry, and Sterling Wiggins with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The 1-hour session starts at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday and will focus on the state of affairs across the construction and transportation industries and what the path forward may look like. Read more
ATSSA supports Bhatt’s nomination for FHWA administrator ATSSA supports Bhatt’s nomination for FHWA administrator Statement notes history of expertise and passion for transportation safety Maria Robertson / Thursday, August 18, 2022 0 10089 Article rating: No rating On behalf of ATSSA, President & CEO Stacy Tetschner sent a letter to Chair Tom Carper and Ranking Member Shelley Capito of the Senate Committee on Environment & Public Works strongly supporting the presidential nomination of the Honorable Shailen Bhatt to serve as Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). “Mr. Bhatt has demonstrated a long history of expertise, passion and dedication to the transportation safety community. He has highlighted these qualities throughout his career in the transportation sector, and we are excited by his nomination,” Tetschner stated in his letter. “Mr. Bhatt’s commitment to the safety of the traveling public is unquestionable, and he will be a dynamic leader of the FHWA as they continue their work on advancing roadway safety.” Read more
Senate passes Inflation Reduction Act; House could vote this week Senate passes Inflation Reduction Act; House could vote this week Pam / Tuesday, August 9, 2022 0 21508 Article rating: No rating The U.S. Senate passed the Inflation Reduction Act over the weekend, a sprawling bill centered around health care provisions, corporate tax increases and climate provisions, sending the bill to the House, which is expected to approve the legislation later this week. Within the 775-page bill, ATSSA members will also see a nearly $1.9 billion competitive grant program aimed at improving walkability, safety and increasing affordable transportation options. ATSSA will continue to follow the legislation and provide updates as it moves through Congress. Read more
Final rule for pavement marking retroreflectivity published Final rule for pavement marking retroreflectivity published Pam / Friday, August 5, 2022 0 24114 Article rating: 4.7 The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) posted the final rule regarding pavement marking retroreflectivity in today’s Federal Register. The posting states: “The purpose of this final rule is to update the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) to provide standards, guidance, options, and supporting information relating to maintaining minimum levels of retroreflectivity for pavement markings. The MUTCD is incorporated in FHWA regulations and recognized as the national standard for traffic control devices used on all streets, highways, bikeways, and private roads open to public travel.” The rule notes that it is effective on Sept. 6. Read more
Summer issue of Roadway Safety explores supply chain challenges, innovations Summer issue of Roadway Safety explores supply chain challenges, innovations NWZAW member photos and the Memorial’s 20th anniversary also featured Pam / Wednesday, July 27, 2022 0 24429 Article rating: No rating The Summer issue of Roadway Safety magazine is now online and focuses on work zone awareness efforts nationwide. From the national event in Virginia to member photos from across the country to expert insights into planning a National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW) event, the magazine addresses this key industry safety effort. Plus, this issue celebrates the 20th anniversary of the National Work Zone Memorial, offers insights about supply chain challenges, and delves into the pitfalls of gas tax suspensions. Check out three tools to help protect roadway workers on the job and much more in the Summer issue of Roadway Safety magazine, the flagship publication of the American Traffic Safety Services Association. Read more
Apply now for public agency scholarships for 2023 Convention & Traffic Expo Apply now for public agency scholarships for 2023 Convention & Traffic Expo Officials with city, county, state and federal transportation agencies encouraged to apply Pam / Tuesday, July 26, 2022 0 22273 Article rating: No rating ATSSA’s Public Agency and Marty Weed Engineering scholarships offer department of transportation (DOT) officials the opportunity to participate in the largest gathering of roadway safety infrastructure officials in North America. There they can see the latest innovations in roadway safety, interact with companies that produce them and engage with industry experts on everything from pavement marking and traffic control to technology designed to protect roadway workers and interact with connected and automated vehicles. ATSSA’s 53rd Annual Convention & Traffic Expo takes place in Phoenix, Feb. 17-21 and will include the New Products Rollout, Innovation Awards that go to the top products as judged by DOT officials, and the ever-popular Circle of Innovation where transportation officials from across the country and around the globe hear about the latest topics. Scholarship applications are due by Sept. 19. Applicants will be notified by Oct. 12. Read more
Apply for ATSSA’s New Products Rollout and Innovation Awards Apply for ATSSA’s New Products Rollout and Innovation Awards Pam / Monday, July 25, 2022 0 6311 Article rating: No rating Apply by Dec. 1 to participate in ATSSA’s New Products Rollout (NPRO), which will be held during ATSSA’s 53rd Annual Convention & Traffic Expo in Phoenix, Feb. 17-21. Exhibitors who introduced products after Jan. 1, 2020, are eligible to apply. Entries accepted for NPRO will be included in the New Products Listing, which showcases the products to the roughly 3,700 roadway safety professionals who attend ATSSA’S Annual Convention & Traffic Expo, including listing on the Convention website and mobile app. Innovation Awards are chosen from among the products selected for NPRO. Read more
ATSSA nominations for National Safety Award due July 31 ATSSA nominations for National Safety Award due July 31 Nominate outstanding professionals for the National Safety, Industry Achievement and National Media awards Pam / Wednesday, July 20, 2022 0 8885 Article rating: 5.0 Nominations are now open for the National Safety Award with ATSSA’s other annual awards opening for nominations soon. The National Safety Award recognizes an employee or recent retiree of a government agency who made a significant contribution to the safety of our nation’s roadways. Nomination forms are due by July 31. Nominations for the Industry Achievement Award and National Media Award open in August. Changes are coming for the Mark of Excellence Award, which recognizes an ATSSA member who has made outstanding contributions to the advancement of roadway safety infrastructure through improved pavement markings. Nomination forms for all awards are available on ATSSA’s Member and Industry Awards page. Read more
Help teen drivers safely navigate work zones Help teen drivers safely navigate work zones Free Aug. 9 webinar explains how to start a program in your state Pam / Monday, July 18, 2022 0 12410 Article rating: 4.0 The ATSS Foundation is partnering with Work Zone Safe to teach teen drivers how to safely navigate roadway work zones. The online program is currently only available to teens who live in Oklahoma but could be expanded to other states. Learn about the program and how to bring it to your state during a free webinar, "No More Pamphlets! Modernizing Teen Driver Work Zone Safety," on Aug. 9, 2-3 p.m. ATSSA members and representatives from departments of transportation (DOTs) are encouraged to attend. Read more
4Dec2023 Make lasting connections at ATSSA’s Convention & Traffic Expo Monday, December 4, 2023 Read more