Innovation

Roadway Safety Innovation

Innovation in the roadway safety industry

Outsiders of the transportation infrastructure industry may look to autonomous vehicles as an icon of innovation on the roadways, but for state Department of Transportation (DOT) officials, manufacturers, suppliers, and contractors in the roadway safety and infrastructure industry, innovation is not a stationary achievement. It is much more than a mile marker and not as easily defined.

With different perspectives and priorities, industry stakeholders are finding that in addition to new technologies, innovation is heavily reliant on communication between entities. Industry leaders are working together to move forward and ATSSA is no different. The association works year-round to progress and develop creative solutions for all of its initiatives including highlighting innovative products and technologies, training, and ATSSA membership.


One innovative effort ATSSA is involved in is a joint initiative with the Transportation Research Board (TRB) Standing Committee on Traffic Control Devices (AHB50). Both ATSSA and TRB sponsor and conduct an exciting design competition, the Traffic Control Device (TCD) Student Challenge, to promote innovation and stimulate ideas in the traffic control devices area with a goal to improve operations and safety.


Find recent updates on the latest innovations in the resource list below and be sure to check back for updates.



Exhibit at ATSSA's Annual Traffic Expo

NPRO

Do you have an innovative roadway safety product? Exhibitors can showcase their innovations in the New Products Rollout at the Annual Convention & Traffic Expo. Products released after Jan. 1 of this year qualify for entry. Twenty will be accepted for the New Product Listing and just 12 will be accepted for presentation to a panel of judges. The top three products will earn an Innovation Award that will be announced during the Convention.


Learn more about featuring your innovative product to key industry professionals. View videos of last year's entries and award winners.



Resources

Pam
/ Categories: ATSSA, FHWA, Policy, Roadway

ATSSA thanks FHWA for extending feedback time for proposed MUTCD changes

Association joins other industry leaders in opposing rewrite of MUTCD

ATSSA President & CEO Stacy Tetschner sent a letter thanking Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Acting Administrator Stephanie Pollack for extending the comment period for the Notice of Proposed Amendment (NPA) on the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).

He noted the decade-old MUTCD needs an update, expressed ATSSA’s backing of the process and rejected the recent call by some to rewrite the MUTCD.

“ATSSA supports the ongoing process and we are confident that USDOT will obtain great feedback on how to improve this important manual,” Tetschner wrote. “We understand that some want to start over with the manual and we do not support this idea. We do, however, support a reexamination of the structure, process and content of the MUTCD at a later date. We also want to make it clear that this reexamination should not delay a new edition that our industry desperately needs.”

The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) and the National Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (NCUTCD) also sent a letter to FHWA urging it to “stay the course in obtaining public comment on the NPA [Notice of Proposed Amendment] and expediting the issuance of a new MUTCD.”

Tetschner noted the importance of the MUTCD for roadway safety.

“The MUTCD is a vital tool for our industry that helps keep everyone safe on our roadways. With the MUTCD being 10 years old, the document needs an update to incorporate the many advancements in transportation research, practice and technology during that time that offer the potential to save lives and prevent injuries,” he wrote.

FHWA published the proposed changes to the MUTCD in the Federal Register on Dec. 11 to give the public an opportunity to provide comments. The deadline for submitting comments was extended from March 15 to May 14 following requests from industry stakeholders including ATSSA. Public comments are considered in making a Final Rule for an updated edition of the MUTCD.

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Tags: FHWA MUTCD NCUTCD AASHTO Tetschner ITE
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