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, Government, Infrastructure, Policy, Roadway, Transportation

House Republicans release transportation reauthorization proposal

Republican members of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, led by Ranking Member Sam Graves (R-Mo.), today released their version of a transportation reauthorization ahead of likely Committee action in early June. The language, which is narrower in scope than the House-passed transportation bill last year, would spend $400 billion over five years on federal-aid highway projects, an increase of 32% over current funding levels.

Dubbed the Surface Transportation Advanced through Reform, Technology & Efficient Review Act 2.0 (STARTER Act 2.0), the legislation includes increases to the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP). Additional highlights include:

  • 100% federal share for fiscal years 2022 and 2023 (rather than the typical 80%/20% or 90%/10% splits)
  • Creation of a Rural Opportunities to Use Transportation for Economic Success Council as well as an Office of Rural Economic Investment
  • Creation of a Nontraditional and Emerging Transportation Technology Council which would identify and resolve regulatory gaps that impede innovation and implementation of technologies that improve safety, among other priorities.
  • Increases the Private Activity Bond cap from $15 billion to $45 billion
  • Creation of a new competitive grant program for connected vehicle deployments
  • Creation of a new competitive grant program to test the safe integration of automated driving system technologies
  • Creation of national pilot program to test vehicle miles traveled (VMT) user fee systems.
  • Directs the Secretary to implement a national VMT pilot program for government-owned vehicles

 

The full summary of the proposal is available.

ATSSA President and CEO Stacy Tetschner reacted to the latest development in the House of Representatives.

“We’re encouraged that discussions continue to occur in Congress and at the White House on the need to enact a long-term, safety-focused transportation bill before the deadline of Oct. 1,” Tetschner said. “Ranking Member Graves’ proposal is the latest example that roadway safety infrastructure investments are a bipartisan issue and we look forward to working with Congress to get a safety-focused bill signed into law before Oct 1.”

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