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, Convention & Expo, Innovation, Press Release, Transportation

Blue Vigil ALED Portable Light wins Innovation Award at ATSSA’s Convention & Traffic Expo

Three products selected for honorable mention

Pictured from left are, Tyler Helvey with Hill & Smith, Scott Heydt with Horizon Signal Technologies, Blue Vigil CEO Rob Schumann and David McKee of PSS.

Phoenix (Feb. 21, 2023) – A portable lighting system tethered to an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) won the Innovation Award at ATSSA’s 53rd Annual Convention & Traffic Expo with three other new products being recognized for honorable mention.

The Blue Vigil ALED Portable Light is a person-portable area lighting system that mounts a high-intensity LED array on a tethered UAV that can be positioned up to 100 feet above a job site, according to Blue Vigil of Sterling, Va. The ALED puts over 8,000 square feet of light on the ground, providing nearly twice as much coverage as the towed light towers commonly used for roadway work zones.

The ALED can remain airborne for as long as needed and is designed to withstand the rigors of use in the field and on construction sites, according to company information.

The innovative light was chosen from among 18 entered in ATSSA’s New Products Rollout. The products represented companies from the U.S., Canada and Australia, and were evaluated by a panel of judges made up of department of transportation personnel.

Products considered for the Innovation Award were evaluated on the criteria of lifesaving qualities, degree of need, innovation, design and eligibility under the Highway Safety Improvement Program. All of the products were also evaluated on their contribution to the industry’s mission of advancing roadway safety and working Toward Zero Deaths.

The following products were chosen for honorable mention and were given equal honor:

The Innovation Award winner was honored today during ATSSA’s Circle of Innovation where a video of the product was shown and a company representative spoke about it and explained its benefits for the roadway safety infrastructure industry.

ATSSA Director of Innovation & Technical Services Eric Perry also introduced representatives for the three products receiving honorable mention.

ATSSA’s Innovation Awards are given each year as part of the Association’s Annual Convention & Traffic Expo. This year’s event ran from Feb. 17 through today at the Phoenix Convention Center.

“The New Products Rollout is held annually to give the industry an opportunity to present the latest innovative ideas for roadway safety,” Perry said. “From these items, judges recognize the ones with the greatest potential to save lives on the nation’s roadways. It’s always encouraging to see the ideas members of the industry have developed to introduce to the marketplace.”

For more information about next year’s event, email Perry at eric.perry@atssa.com.

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Tags: new products rollout innovation award Horizon Signal Technologies Annual Convention & Traffic Expo Blue Vigil Hill and Smith
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