NCUTCD summer meeting provides traffic signals, VRU, MUTCD updates NCUTCD summer meeting provides traffic signals, VRU, MUTCD updates Pam / Wednesday, July 26, 2023 0 7381 Article rating: No rating The National Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (NCUTCD) summer meeting addressed a variety of topics including traffic signals and vulnerable road users and provided an indication that work is progressing on the updated Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). In May, ATSSA President & CEO Stacy Tetschner sent a letter to Federal Highway Administration Administrator Shailen P. Bhatt urging the FHWA to publish the updated MUTCD by the May 15 deadline set forth in the U.S. Code. Tetschner acknowledged the "tremendous amount of work” needed to update the MUTCD but said he wanted to “stress how vital it is that this statutory deadline is met.” Toward the end of the summer meeting of the NCUTCD, also referred to as “the National Committee,” federal officials made reference to August, suggesting work on the final rule is moving forward. However, there was no commitment that it would be published that month. Read more
National Work Zone Awareness Week official kickoff hosted by MoDOT National Work Zone Awareness Week official kickoff hosted by MoDOT Maria Robertson / Tuesday, April 18, 2023 0 2331 Article rating: No rating 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. Read more
Work zone traffic fatalities rise nearly 11% Work zone traffic fatalities rise nearly 11% Newly released data shows 108 roadway workers killed in 2021 Pam / Thursday, April 13, 2023 0 4991 Article rating: 1.0 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.” Read more
ATSSA’s president will discuss NWZAW on Transport Topics Radio ATSSA’s president will discuss NWZAW on Transport Topics Radio Catch Stacy Tetschner live on Saturday at 1 p.m. ET or via three rebroadcasts on SiriusXM Pam / Wednesday, April 12, 2023 0 3644 Article rating: No rating ATSSA President & CEO Stacy Tetschner will be the guest on Transport Topics Radio this Saturday to discuss roadway safety in conjunction with National Work Zone Awareness Week, which runs April 17-21. The Road Dog Trucking radio program airs live at 1 p.m. Saturday and rebroadcasts at 11 p.m. Saturday, and noon and 9 p.m. Sunday. All times are Eastern Time. Tetschner will speak during the first ½-hour segment of the two-hour program, which airs on SiriusXM Radio, Channel 146. Read more
Everyone plays a role in work zone safety Everyone plays a role in work zone safety Work with us during National Work Zone Awareness Week to protect workers, motorists Pam / Wednesday, April 5, 2023 0 5838 Article rating: 5.0 FREDERICKSBURG, Va. (April 5, 2023) – The recent tragedy near Baltimore, Md., where six roadway workers were killed when one vehicle apparently collided with another before crashing into their work zone demonstrates the tremendous risk workers face each day while seeking to earn a living. “These six individuals went to work that day simply to do their part to provide safe highways for the motoring public. But they didn’t make it home to their families, who are now left to grieve as they face life without them,” said ATSSA President & CEO Stacy Tetschner. “The roadway safety industry does its best to provide safe workspaces for its personnel and continually looks for new strategies to prevent such tragedies but the fact is, everyone plays a role in work zone safety and we need everyone to work with us.” National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW) was established more than two decades ago to increase attention to the need for motorists to exercise caution when approaching and passing through roadway work zones. In 2020, the most recent year for which statistics are available, 857 people were killed in work zones with another 44,240 injured, according to the National Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse. Read more
ATSSA members make a difference on Capitol Hill ATSSA members make a difference on Capitol Hill Play an advocacy role at this year’s Legislative Briefing & Fly-In, April 18-19 Pam / Monday, March 27, 2023 0 5538 Article rating: No rating Carolinas ATSSA Chapter members Ben Capel and Dane Alsabrook, have been making a difference for roadway safety for years by taking their message directly to Capitol Hill legislators during ATSSA’s Legislative Briefing & Fly-In. Join them in the nation’s capital this year and play a role in advocating for roadway safety through meetings with your senator, representative or a member of their staff. Alsabrook, with PPG in Greensboro, N.C., said he is sold on the process of delivering the roadway safety message directly to Congressional leaders. And Capel, with Guardway Corp. in Charlotte, said long-term connections are key to gaining influence with lawmakers. Read more
Work zone safety and awareness more critical than ever Work zone safety and awareness more critical than ever ATSSA reiterates need for driver attention in work zones following six recent deaths Pam / Monday, March 27, 2023 0 3596 Article rating: No rating ATSSA President & CEO Stacy Tetschner expressed his condolences to the families who lost loved ones in last week’s tragic work zone incident in Baltimore County, Md., in which six people were killed. “ATSSA is deeply saddened by yet another tragedy that resulted in the loss of essential workers within our industry. More important than being workers, these individuals had families and loved ones they did not return home to. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of Sybil Lee Dimaggio, Carlos Orlando Villatoro Escobar, Jose Armando Escobar, Rolando Ruiz, Mahlon Simmons II and Mahlon Simmons III.” The six workers were killed March 22 in Maryland while working to improve a roadway and ensure the safety of all road users. “This devastating event serves as a stark reminder of the importance of work zone safety and the risks faced by roadway construction workers every day. It is crucial that the industry and the driving public come together to prevent future tragedies like this one from occurring,” Tetschner said. Read more
Senators introduce resolution recognizing NWZAW 2023 Senators introduce resolution recognizing NWZAW 2023 Resolution lists steps for motorists to practice work zone safety Pam / Wednesday, March 15, 2023 0 11851 Article rating: 5.0 Inspired by the death of an Indiana traffic control flagger, Senators Mike Braun (R-IN) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) this week introduced a resolution to recognize National Work Zone Awareness Week, which takes place April 17-21. Ben Fisher was struck and killed in 2019 while working for a traffic control company on Indiana State Road 13, according to a statement from Braun’s office. The statement also notes the increase in work zone fatalities nationwide since 2006 and the goal of increasing awareness of the hazards of work zones for drivers, workers and pedestrians, and the value of training. “Far too many road workers and emergency servicemen are injured and killed each year by automobile drivers. Ensuring the safety of these essential men and women is a no-brainer, and I’m excited to join Sen. Blumenthal to introduce legislation that raises awareness about making America’s roads less hazardous for everyone,” Braun said in announcing the resolution. Read more
Register at Convention to play a role in advocating for roadway safety Register at Convention to play a role in advocating for roadway safety ATSSA’s Legislative Briefing & Fly-In set for April 18-19 in the nation’s capital Pam / Wednesday, February 15, 2023 0 5382 Article rating: No rating ATSSA’s 2023 Legislative Briefing & Fly-In offers members the opportunity to play a role in advocating for roadway safety at the national level. This annual event, which is an exclusive member benefit, takes place April 18-19 in Washington, D.C. Members will have the opportunity to deliver roadway safety solutions to the Capitol Hill offices of lawmakers and their staffs, who craft policy that affects the roadway safety infrastructure industry for years to come. Both House and Senate office buildings are fully open to visitors this year. The 2023 Legislative Briefing & Fly-In coincides with National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW), which will be held April 17-21 and has the theme, “You play a role in work zone safety. Work With Us.” Read more
Work zone victim’s daughter urges motorists to drive responsibly Work zone victim’s daughter urges motorists to drive responsibly VDOT hosts National Work Zone Awareness Week official kickoff in Hampton, Va. Pam / Tuesday, April 12, 2022 0 5238 Article rating: 5.0 Cameron Hutt talked about her father during the National Work Zone Awareness Week national kickoff event this afternoon but much of what she shared she learned secondhand. Cameron’s father, Chris Hutt, was killed in a work zone incident when she was in kindergarten. Before his death at age 33, he taught her how to swim, how to tie her shoelaces and her right from her left. He was a loving father and a good provider but he didn’t get to see the birth of his youngest child or watch the other two grow up because of what Cameron called “the carelessness of two people.” Read more
29Sep2023 NHTSA traffic fatality projections show decline for first half of 2023 Friday, September 29, 2023 Read more
27Sep2023 ATSSA evaluates impacts from potential government shutdown Wednesday, September 27, 2023 Read more