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Final ‘Buy America’ guideline published, starting 60-day clock to enactment

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The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on Wednesday published the final guideline for the Build America, Buy America Act, starting a 60-day countdown to its enactment.

Included in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), this expansion of the Buy America program led to the inclusion of a number of materials and products used and manufactured by ATSSA members.

ATSSA’s Government Relations Team provides a summary of the most important sections of the 162-page guidance and will continue to update ATSSA members as more information becomes available. ATSSA also will be holding a virtual town hall on this topic on Sept. 7.

ATSSA & NCUTCD urge publication of MUTCD without delay

Committee votes today for publication without incorporating PROWAG

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The National Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (NCUTCD) passed a resolution today recommending the final rule on the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) not be delayed to address this week’s issuance of a final rule for pedestrian accessibility issues.

The U.S. Access Board on Tuesday issued its final rule providing minimum guidelines for accessibility of pedestrian facilities in the public right-of-way, known as PROWAG.

On May 2, ATSSA President & CEO Stacy Tetschner sent a letter to Federal Highway Administration Administrator Shailen P. Bhatt urging the FHWA to publish the updated Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) by the deadline set forth in the U.S. Code, which was May 15.

ATSSA voted in favor of today’s resolution passed by the NCUTCD.

ATSSA CEO urges FHWA to update MUTCD by May 15

Tetschner sends letter seeking 11th edition of MUTCD by deadline

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ATSSA President & CEO Stacy Tetschner today sent a letter to Federal Highway Administration Administrator Shailen P. Bhatt urging the FHWA to publish the updated Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) by the deadline set forth in the U.S. Code.

“On behalf of the American Traffic Safety Services Association’s (ATSSA) 1,500 member companies, I write to urge the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to publish the 11th edition of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) by the May 15th deadline required under Section 109(d)(2) of title 23, United States Code,” Tetschner wrote in today’s letter.

ATSSA submits comments on Buy America manufacturing products waiver

Association ‘strongly urges’ continuation of public interest waiver

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ATSSA President & CEO Stacy Tetschner this week submitted comments to the Federal Register on the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Review of its General Applicability Waiver of Buy America Requirements for Manufactured Products.

“ATSSA strongly urges FHWA to continue the current public interest waiver for manufactured products that do not contain iron or steel,” ATSSA President & CEO Stacy Tetschner said in the ATSSA submission. “Especially with the challenge of increasing traffic fatalities in recent years, it is not an appropriate time to potentially hamstring the ability to deploy life-saving devices and countermeasures on U.S. roadways when the [U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT)] and state and local agencies are aggressively moving to combat these fatalities.

“If, however, FHWA proposes to alter the current waiver, ATSSA strongly encourages FHWA to continue to exempt transportation products that are incorporated into highway safety improvement projects as defined in 23 U.S.C. 148, regardless of federal program funding source.”

National Work Zone Awareness Week official kickoff hosted by MoDOT

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The National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW) kickoff event was hosted today by the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT). 
The event was held overlooking the new Lance Cpl. Leon Deraps Interstate 70 westbound bridge over the Missouri river near Rocheport, Mo. 
During this year’s NWZAW, Gloria Shepherd, executive director for the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) joined MoDOT officials in reminding drivers to keep highway workers safe as construction season.

Work zone traffic fatalities rise nearly 11%

Newly released data shows 108 roadway workers killed in 2021

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Fatalities in roadway work zones increased nearly 11% from 2020 to 2021, with deaths rising from 863 to 956, according to newly released federal data.

Drivers and passengers accounted for 778 of the 956 fatalities for 2021, data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) shows.

“The continuing increase in work zone fatalities drives home the importance of National Work Zone Awareness Week, which begins on Monday,” said ATSSA President & CEO Stacy Tetschner. “We encourage every driver to be vigilant as they approach work zones and travel through them. This time of year sees a surge in work zones on the nation’s roadways so it’s important for everyone to recognize they play a role in work zone safety and to work with us.”

ATSSA congratulates Bhatt on FHWA confirmation

Transportation veteran confirmed as FHWA leader

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Shailen Bhatt, who led state transportation departments in Colorado and Delaware, was confirmed by the Senate to lead the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).

Bhatt’s confirmation by the full Senate on Thursday follows bipartisan support on Nov. 29 by the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.

As head of the FHWA, Bhatt will oversee implementation of the $1 trillion Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act (IIJA) passed into law in November 2021.

FHWA hosts session on Every Day Counts Round 7 Innovations

Registration now open for Dec. 2 virtual rollout

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The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) will host an executive-level virtual rollout of the Every Day Counts (EDC) program round 7 innovations on Dec. 2. 

These innovations will build upon the already significant legacy of EDC and support FHWA’s efforts to drive innovation around three core priorities:

  • Improving safety for all road users;
  • Building sustainable infrastructure for the future; and
  • Growing an inclusive workforce.

 

EDC is a state-based program that identifies and rapidly deploys proven, yet underutilized innovations that make our transportation system adaptable, sustainable, equitable and safer for all. Proven innovations promoted through EDC facilitate greater efficiency at the State, Local and Tribal levels, saving time, money and resources to ensure our infrastructure is built better, faster, and smarter.

Register now to attend on Dec. 2 at 1:30 p.m. ET. The Executive Session is open to everyone.

FHWA hosting webinar on pavement marking retroreflectivity final rule

Advance registration required for the free Sept. 1 event

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The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is hosting a webinar on “Maintaining Minimum Pavement Marking Retroreflectivity” to discuss the final rule published in the Federal Register on Aug. 5.

The Sept. 1 webinar starts at 12:30 p.m. ET, is free for the public but requires advance registration.

Organizers said the final rule published on Aug. 5 amends the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), adding provisions for minimum maintained levels of pavement marking retroreflectivity in Revision 3 of the 2009 MUTCD.

ATSSA supports Bhatt’s nomination for FHWA administrator

Statement notes history of expertise and passion for transportation safety

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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.”

 

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