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

FHWA extends comment time for MUTCD NPA

New deadline is May 14

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has extended the time for public comment to May 14 for the first comprehensive update to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways (MUTCD) in more than a decade.

The document opened for public comment on Dec. 14 as originally reported here and was originally to allow comments through March 15.

The Notice of Proposed Amendments for the 11th edition of the MUTCD contains more than 600 proposed changes, according to a statement from the FHWA.

“The extension is based on concern expressed by a number of stakeholders that, as a result of the scope and complexity of the NPA, the March 15, 2021, closing date does not provide sufficient time to review and provide comprehensive comments,” FHWA said in announcing the deadline extension. “The FHWA recognizes that others interested in commenting may have similar concerns and agrees that the comment period should be extended. Therefore, the closing date for comments is changed to May 14, 2021, which will provide stakeholders and others interested in commenting additional time to discuss, evaluate, and submit responses to the docket.”

ATSSA Vice President of Education and Technical Services Donna Clark said she appreciated FHWA's decision.

“The last manual was published in 2009 and there have been extensive changes since then so it is important that we, as an industry, have sufficient time to review the proposed changes and comment accordingly,” Clark said. “We greatly appreciate FHWA’s willingness to extend the deadline to May 14th and we look forward to working with the ATSSA technical committees to formulate our comments.”

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