Midyear Meeting adds Roadway Worker Protection session to agenda

New topic results from Roadway Worker Protection Summit during ATSSA’s 2021 Convention

This year’s Midyear Meeting adds a new council focused on roadway worker protection to the lineup.

The addition evolved from the Roadway Worker Protection Summit, which was heavily attended during ATSSA’s 2021 Annual Convention & Traffic Expo held online in February, said ATSSA Vice President of Education and Technical Services Donna Clark.

She said the topic resonates with everyone in the roadway safety industry and, unfortunately, the statistics on injuries and deaths aren’t improving.

“Regardless of training and innovation, the one thing we cannot control is drivers entering our work zones,” Clark said.

Statistics from the National Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse show 135 roadway workers were killed in work zones in 2019, the most recent year for which data is available. The previous 3-year average was 133 fatalities.

“It’s not acceptable,” Clark said. “If you have one death, I don’t think it’s acceptable.”

The Midyear Meeting will be held Aug. 17-20 in Kansas City, Mo. Registration is now open. Spaces are filling quickly for the Roadway Worker Protection Council meeting set for 1-4 p.m., Aug. 18. Clark said she expects to have a wait list and friends list before long.

She said it will require “extreme measures of positive protection” and a new mindset regarding the investment needed to overcome the challenges associated with roadway worker safety but she believes the talents and commitment of ATSSA members and public agency partners can make a difference.

Midyear Meeting Schedule:

Note: Midyear 2021 takes place in Missouri so times listed are Central Standard Time (CST).

Tuesday, Aug. 17 -

3-5 p.m. – Member Engagement Committee

6-7 p.m. – Chapter President’s Council Reception (by invitation)

Wednesday, Aug. 18 –

9 a.m. -Noon – Chapter Presidents’ Council

9 a.m. -Noon – Strategic Highway Safety Plan Council

9 a.m. -Noon – Safety & Public Awareness Committee

12-1 p.m. – Lunch and Tabletop Exhibits

1-4 p.m. – High Friction Surface Treatment Council

1-4 p.m. – Innovation Council

1-4 p.m. – Roadway Worker Protection Council

4-4:30 p.m. – Networking and Tabletop Exhibits

4:30-6 p.m. – Women in Roadway Safety 

4:30-6 p.m. – Work Zone ITS Subcommittee

6-7 p.m. – ATSSA Reception

Thursday, Aug. 19

9-10:30 a.m. – General Session

10:30-11 a.m. – Networking and Tabletop Exhibits

11 a.m.-2 p.m. – Guardrail Committee

11 a.m.-2 p.m. – Pavement Marking Committee

11 a.m.-2 p.m. – Sign Committee

2-3:30 p.m. – Networking and Tabletop Exhibits

2:30-5:30 p.m. – Temporary Traffic Control Committee

2:30-5:30 p.m. – Traffic Signals Committee

6-7 p.m. – Political Action Committee (PAC) Reception (members and spouses)

Friday, Aug. 20

8-9 a.m. – PAC Oversight Committee

9-11 a.m. – Government Relations Committee

11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. – Operating Committee