ATSSA Innovation Award winners announced at association’s 49th Annual Convention & Traffic Expo

Traffic control and infrastructure devices recognized at largest U.S. tradeshow for roadway safety products and services

TAMPA, Fla. (Feb. 11, 2019) – Three exhibitors at ATSSA’s 49th Annual Convention & Traffic Expo received ATSSA Innovation Awards and were recognized for producing products that directly addressed leading issues within the industry and further advancing roadway safety.

The event was held this year from Feb. 8-12, 2019 at the Tampa Convention Center in Tampa, Florida. About 3,500 attendees convened to view the latest products and services in the industry that help save lives on U.S. roadways.

“Roadway safety manufacturers are a critical component to saving lives on our nation’s roads,” said ATSSA Director of New Programs Brian Watson. “ATSSA’s Annual Convention & Expo is the place to see the leading innovative products being produced nationwide. Winners of the Innovation Award are recognized for achieving outstanding advancements within the industry that we all hope will increase roadway safety and save lives.”

First-place winner was Solar Advanced Warning Systems, Inc. (SAWS) from Dallas, Texas, with their Solar Advanced Warning System product. Shane Howell of SAWS it was an honor to be recognized by ATSSA and feature their product at the annual event.

"It is very rewarding to be recognized after over three years of development. For ATSSA and its membership to acknowledge our efforts is very much appreciated. We began this project with the goal of saving lives and to help make the public and construction workers more aware of potential risks. Safer roads equal saved lives," said Howell.

The 2020 ATSSA Innovation Award event will be held at the association’s 50^th Annual Convention & Traffic Expo, which will be held at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans in late January. Visit expo.atssa.com or email Watson at brian.watson@atssa.com for more information about next year’s event.

The 2019 ATSSA Innovation Award winners were:

First place: SAWS

Location: Dallas, Texas

Product: Solar Advanced Warning System

Product Description: SAWS is designed to help minimize incidents on construction haul roads and intersection crossings. Through Smart Work Zone technology, SAWS uses a traffic radar sensor to detect oncoming traffic and warn the traveling public of approaching dangers.

Contact: Shane Howell, 972-922-3290

Second place: Traffic Pro Beds

Location: Frederick, Maryland

Product: Traffic Pro Bed

Product Description: Traffic Pro Bed is a redesign of a standard truck bed to make it more efficient and safer for use in traffic control. Personnel are better protected and the amount of time to set up a work zone is reduced.

Contact: Kyle Tovornik, 240-385-4831

Third place: TAPCO

Location: Brown Deer, Wisconsin

Product: Connected Vehicle Interface

Product Description: TAPCO's Connected Vehicle Interface communicates with smart city roadside units to relay intelligent warning system activation data to connected vehicles via dedicated short range communication (DSRC), 4G or 5G cellular networks providing drivers with instant vehicle alerts.

Contact: Michael Long, 262-649-5229

Criteria for award selection included lifesaving qualities, degree of need, innovation, design, and eligibility under the Highway Safety Improvement Program. The selection team was made up of public transportation officials. Photographs and information about the winning companies are posted at atssa.com.

First Place Winner - SAWS
Justin Kropp, Shane Howell, ATSSA Chair Juan Arvizu, Michael Merrell

Second Place Winner - Traffic Pro Beds

Kyle Tovornik, ATSSA Chair Juan Arvizu

Third Place - TAPCO

Robert Kurka, ATSSA Chair Juan Arvizu