ATSSA’s 51^st Annual Convention & Traffic Expo resumes on Tuesday. The second week of this two-week event includes two general sessions packed with industry panels and the ever-popular Circle of Innovation, which this year is open to all attendees.

Tuesday's general session will include a State of the Industry Panel, Industry Innovation Panel, State of the Association Report, and the presentation of the Industry Achievement and Mark of Excellence awards. The Trade Show booths open on Tuesday and will be open from noon to 5 p.m. daily. 

It’s not too late to register for everything this unique, online event has to offer.

Join the discussion on various aspects of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways (MUTCD) during week two of ATSSA’s 51^st Annual Convention & Traffic Expo.

The discussions are hosted by ATSSA and take place within the Conversation Lounge of the Convention’s online platform. Check out the topics you want to be part of and join the conversation. Participation is free for everyone registered for the Convention.

Sessions run Tuesday through Thursday next week and cover nine topics.

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has extended the time for public comment to May 14 for the first comprehensive update to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways (MUTCD) in more than a decade.

The document opened for public comment on Dec. 14 as originally reported here and was originally to allow comments through March 15.

The Notice of Proposed Amendments for the 11^th edition of the MUTCD contains more than 600 proposed changes, according to a statement from the FHWA.

ATSSA’s 2021 Convention & Traffic Expo is nearly here and final touches are being put in place. For people who have never had the opportunity to attend, this year’s event is fully online so it’s the perfect opportunity to find out what you’ve been missing and take in activities that are new this year.

Registration is open for the event that runs Feb. 8-12 and 16-18. Check out the full schedule that includes two general sessions packed with panels addressing key industry information. Plus, nearly 50 education sessions await on topics from addressing personnel challenges to the latest on technology issues including connected and automated vehicles (CAVs) and pavement markings.

Attendees can also take part in as many as six discussions with their colleagues about the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways (MUTCD) in the Conversation Lounge within the online platform.

The Federal Highway administration issued a Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices or Streets and Highways (MUTCD) official ruling this week pertaining to syntax on changeable message sign messaging.

Official Ruling No. 2(09)-174 provides an official interpretation for the question of “whether the MUTCD provides for displays on changeable message signs (CMS) that use unconventional wording typically not found on standard signing and how public input into the development of CMS messages may be used.”

The ruling notes that the devices should not contain advertising or messages unrelated to traffic control and then reviews the five principles for an effective traffic control device: fulfill a need; command attention; convey a clear, simple meaning; command respect from road users; and give adequate time for proper response.

The first comprehensive update to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways (MUTCD) in a decade is now available for preview in the Federal Register.

The document opens for public comment on Monday.

The Notice of Proposed Amendments for the 11^th edition of the MUTCD contains more than 600 proposed changes, according to a statement from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).

"Channelizing Devices at Mid-Block Pedestrian Crossings in Conjunction with In-Street Pedestrian Crossing (R1-6 Series) Signs." 

Official Ruling No. 3(09)-61 (I)  clarifies instructions for using channelizing devices such as tubular markers at mid-block crosswalk locations, according to an update from FHWA.

ATSSA wrapped up its first Midyear Digital event on Thursday with Rep. Pete Stauber (R-Minn.) and Federal Highway Administration  (FHWA) Administrator Nicole R. Nason sharing insights during the Government Relations Committee Meeting.

Stauber said he’s eager for Congress to address the nation’s infrastructure needs and the federal highway bill known as the FAST Act, which is set to expire Sept. 30.

He serves on the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee and urged ATSSA members to reach out to committee members and ranking members of Congress to get their priorities heard. The first-term Congressman representing Minnesota’s 8^th District said he’s eager to get legislation passed and isn’t concerned about getting credit for his role.

ATSSA held its first Midyear Digital event from Monday through Thursday. Nearly 400 people took part in the committee and council meetings that tackled roadway safety infrastructure issues.

ATSSA and the Automotive Safety Council (ASC) this week received the Collaborative Partnership of the Year Award from TU-Automotive during a virtual ceremony.

The award recognizes two or more companies that “have undertaken a meaningful, non-commercial partnership with the objective of advancing the development and/or adoption of automotive technology” for the period between Jan. 1, 2019 and Feb. 19, 2020.

ATSSA President & CEO Stacy Tetschner and ASC President Doug Campbell accepted the award on behalf of their respective associations.

Today, the Democratic leadership of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee released proposed legislation to reauthorize the federal transportation program through Fiscal Year 2025. The bill, Investing in a New Vision for the Environment and Surface Transportation in America Act (INVEST in America Act), was introduced by Committee Chair Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Highways and Transit Subcommittee Chair Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), and Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee Chair Dan Lipinski (D-IL).

The proposal authorizes federal transportation funding for five years, at a total of $494 billion, $319 billion of which will be for highway investments.