The ATSS Foundation awarded Roadway Worker Memorial Scholarships to 14 students for the 2023-24 academic year.

The Roadway Worker Memorial Scholarship Program started in 2002 to provide financial assistance for post-high school education to dependents of roadway workers killed or permanently disabled in roadway work zones. The program is competitive and provides scholarships valued up to $10,000 per student each year. Since its inception, the program has awarded 126 Roadway Worker Memorial Scholarships. An additional 26 Chuck Bailey Memorial Scholarships—valued at $1,000 each—have been awarded to applicants who demonstrate a strong commitment to volunteerism. Bailey was a member of the roadway safety industry who died in 2002.

“The goal of the program is to help dependents of workers killed or permanently disabled in a work zone incident navigate a path forward,” said Foundation Director Lori Diaz.

This year’s 3M pledge wall raised $14,820 for The ATSS Foundation.

This was the seventh year 3M has operated the virtual wall fundraiser, which ran from the start of the year through the end of ATSSA’s Convention & Traffic Expo.

3M launched the event with an offer to match up to $5,000 in donations. When the tally fell just short of that figure—at $4,820—the company elected to provide the full match. Those funds plus 3M’s $5,000 sponsorship provided The Foundation with a total of $14,820.

The ATSS Foundation recently recognized the Shirley family of Georgia with the nonprofit’s Ambassador Award.

The Foundation Ambassador Award recognizes an individual or entity for extraordinary efforts in supporting The Foundation’s core purpose of promoting roadway safety through charitable giving and public awareness programs.

Georgia ATSSA Chapter President Rick Brockman nominated the family for the Foundation Ambassador Award in recognition of their years-long efforts in helping both The Foundation and the Georgia Department of Transportation, both of which offer college scholarships.

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. (Dec. 14, 2022) –The American Traffic Safety Services Foundation awarded scholarships to 14 students for the 2022-23 academic year, with the majority of students being multi-year recipients.

The Roadway Worker Memorial Scholarship Program started in 2002 to provide financial assistance for post-high school education to dependents of roadway workers killed or permanently disabled in roadway work zones. The program is competitive and provides scholarships valued up to $10,000 per student each year. The program has awarded more than $400,000 since its inception.

Applicants who demonstrate a strong commitment to volunteerism may be eligible for an additional $1,000 in honor of Chuck Bailey, a member of the roadway safety industry who died in 2002.

Giving Tuesday donations resulted in more than $12,800 for The ATSS Foundation, the largest amount ever received by the nonprofit on this global day of philanthropy.

The Georgia ATSSA Chapter (GA-ATSSA) got things rolling by offering $5,000 in matching funds. Then 31 individuals and businesses rose to the challenge, giving $7,851.

“We are overwhelmed by the generosity shown by our supporters, including the Georgia Chapter of ATSSA by providing its $5,000 match,” said Foundation Director Lori Diaz. “Yesterday’s record-breaking total demonstrates the heart of our members who back The Foundation and its efforts to spread awareness of the importance of work zone safety and to assist families whose lives are forever changed by a work zone tragedy.”

The ATSS Foundation is partnering with Work Zone Safe to teach teen drivers how to safely navigate roadway work zones.

The online program is currently only available to teens who live in Oklahoma but could be expanded to other states.

Learn about the program and how to bring it to your state during a free webinar, "No More Pamphlets! Modernizing Teen Driver Work Zone Safety," on Aug. 9, 2-3 p.m. ATSSA members and representatives from departments of transportation (DOTs) are encouraged to attend.

The American Traffic Safety Services (ATSS) Foundation is partnering with Work Zone Safe to educate teen drivers on how to safely navigate work zones.

Thanks to a grant from the PPG Foundation of Pittsburgh, The ATSS Foundation worked with Work Zone Safe to develop a free interactive training program that teaches teen drivers the importance of work zone safety including how to navigate a work zone. The curriculum addresses the importance of safe driving habits, the results of speeding and inattentiveness, and how to read work zone signage, operate within queuing and navigate night work zones. It also covers how to understand work zone devices, pavement markings and mobile operations. mobile operations.

“We are excited to be addressing this gap in driver education for teens,” ATSS Foundation Director Lori Diaz said. “The information in this curriculum is critical in helping the next generation of drivers protect themselves and roadway workers as we continue working toward zero deaths on the nation’s roads and highways. We hope departments of transportation in states across the country will be interested in making the curriculum available in their jurisdictions.”

People like to make their mark in this world and often seek ways to leave a long-term legacy.

Those lofty goals can seem elusive but are easy to achieve through The ATSS Foundation Planned Giving program.

“By making The Foundation part of long-term financial planning, supporters can know they are making a difference beyond their lifetimes,” Foundation Director Lori Diaz said.

Planned giving can be set up in multiple ways in consultation with a financial advisor or estate planner.

Hill & Smith of Columbus, Ohio, raised $28,000 for The ATSS Foundation through an auction held online Jan. 19 through Feb. 2.

The company’s mission is to develop and produce safety-focused products and solutions to protect roadway workers and people traveling the nation’s roadways. That mission aligns with The Foundation’s core purpose to promote roadway safety through charitable giving and public awareness programs, which is why the company chose to hold the fundraiser.

“We are grateful for Hill & Smith’s decision to hold the auction and donate this roadway safety item,” said Foundation Chair Kevin Shelton.

A work zone tragedy shouldn’t mean the end of the dreams and aspirations for the worker’s children or spouse.

Roadway Worker Memorial Scholarships, offered by The American Traffic Safety Services (ATSS) Foundation, can help put the worker’s dependents on the road to a brilliant future.

Applications for the 2022-23 academic year are due by Feb. 15.

The Roadway Worker Memorial Scholarship Program provides financial assistance for post-high school education to the children or spouse of a roadway worker killed or permanently disabled in a work zone incident. Applicants who demonstrate a strong commitment to volunteerism may be eligible to receive an additional $1,000 in honor of Chuck Bailey, an esteemed member of the roadway safety industry from Ohio who died in 2002 as a result of an accident.