ATSSA & TRB announce 2024 Traffic Control Device Student Challenge

Contest offers opportunity for students to innovate for the future of roadway safety

Fredericksburg, Va. (April 17, 2023) – The American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA) and Transportation Research Board (TRB) Standing Committee on Traffic Control Devices invite students to compete in the 2024 Traffic Control Device (TCD) Student Challenge.

The TCD Student Challenge promotes innovation and stimulates ideas in the traffic control devices industry with a goal to improve operations and safety and encourage future generations of roadway safety professionals. As part of the challenge, individuals or student teams submit solutions in the subject area of transportation and roadway safety based on the chosen topic for the year.

This year’s topic is “Innovations to Improve the Nighttime Visibility of Traffic Control Devices.”

The TCD Student Challenge is open to high school, junior college, college and university students or teams of students with an interest in transportation and an understanding of traffic control devices. Students in relevant fields such as transportation, human factors and technology-related curricula are particularly encouraged to participate.

“The TCD Student Challenge provides students an extraordinary opportunity to apply their knowledge and critical thinking skills to a real-world transportation problem and potentially save lives,” said ATSSA Manager of Innovation & Technical Services Melodie Matout. “With the nighttime fatality rate on the nation’s roadways being three times higher than the daytime rate and the frequent overnight hours for road work, this topic provides a real-world challenge that directly affects worker safety. Students with winning proposals will have the opportunity to get their ideas in front of working professionals, offering them tremendous exposure as they pursue careers in this rewarding field.”

Participants receive the opportunity to present their designs in a public forum during the 2024 TRB Annual Meeting, set for Jan. 7-11 in Washington, D.C. The top team also wins a $1,500 prize and the opportunity to present its submission at ATSSA’s 54th Annual Convention & Traffic Expo, set for Feb. 2-6 in San Diego.

The deadline to submit an application is Oct. 1, 2023. To learn more about the challenge, visit ATSSA.com/TCDStudentChallenge.

To learn about the 2023 winners, visit: bit.ly/TCDSC2023.