ATSSA Blog

ATSSA

Subscribe to News Alerts
You can change your mind at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in the footer of any email you receive from us. We will treat your information with respect. You agree that ATSSA may process your information in accordance with its terms.
We use MailChimp as our marketing automation platform. By clicking below to submit this form, you acknowledge that the information you provide will be transferred to MailChimp for processing in accordance with their Privacy Policy and Terms.
Unsubscribe

Congressional leaders find deal on COVID-19 relief and federal spending bills

Pam 0 6272 Article rating: 5.0

Leaders of the House and Senate agreed this afternoon to terms on a $900 billion COVID-19 relief package and a $1.4 trillion federal spending package, ending lengthy negotiations that had lasted for months. Included in the COVID relief legislation was $45 billion for transit, with $10 billion allocated to state departments of transportation for highways.

ATSSA has supported the inclusion of funds for state DOTs throughout the year and made it the main legislative priority in any discussions centered around COVID-19 relief. In addition to making it a main talking point at the ATSSA Virtual Fly-In & Legislative Briefing in September, ATSSA also signed on to multiple letters alongside fellow stakeholders to push for Congress to include these funds.

ATSSA urged CDC to include critical infrastructure workers in next COVID vaccination phase

Pam 0 5684 Article rating: 5.0

Despite urging by ATSSA to include road construction workers and the manufacturers of roadway safety devices and construction machinery in phase 1b of the COVID-19 vaccination allocation process, a committee of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) denied the request.

Instead, after meeting on Sunday, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted to recommend that Americans who are 75 and older and who live independently be included in the next phase of vaccinations. They voted to place the group deemed as essential critical infrastructure in the following phase.

The committee cited the high death rates among elderly Americans, the current short-supply of the vaccine and the smaller size of the group as compared to the DHS-designated group as the reasons for the recommendation. Frontline workers such as emergency responders and teachers were also included in the next phase.  

EDC Virtual Summit offered ideas to further workforce development efforts

Pam 0 4181 Article rating: No rating

ATSSA staff took part in the recent Every Day Counts (EDC) Virtual Summit, coming away with ideas to enhance workforce development efforts.

EDC is the state-based model that identifies and rapidly deploys proven innovations in transportation. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) program aims to shorten the project delivery process, enhance roadway safety, reduce traffic congestion and integrate automation.

The recent EDC Virtual Summit highlighted programs being employed by local transportation agencies and departments of transportation (DOTs). Its intent was to engage and stakeholders in day-to-day operations of the business of transportation.

Biden expected to choose Buttigieg as transportation secretary

Pam 0 5557 Article rating: 4.3

President-elect Joe Biden will be nominating former presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), according to multiple reports.

Buttigieg, who is also the former mayor of South Bend, Ind., rose to national prominence after a surging presidential run in his bid for the Democratic nomination earlier this year. Buttigieg appears to have emerged from among contenders for the position such as Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

During his presidential campaign, Buttigieg introduced an infrastructure plan that garnered support across the transportation industry.

ATSSA’s 2021 Convention & Traffic Expo provides vital connections

Event kicks off with panel on prevention and resources for work zone tragedies

Pam 0 5645 Article rating: No rating

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. (Dec. 14, 2020) – ATSSA kicks off its 51st Annual Convention & Traffic Expo with a Roadway Worker Protection Summit, going to the heart of the Association’s lifesaving mission.

The Summit features a panel discussion in which two ATSSA members share the painful experience of losing an employee in a work zone incident. They will discuss resources that helped the employee’s family and their team through the aftermath. They also will talk about tips and tools aimed at preventing work zone injuries and deaths such as training, certification and equipment.

The two-hour Summit is the first session of the 2021 Convention & Traffic Expo, which is being held online over two weeks -- Feb. 8-12 and 16-18.

Senate approves stopgap funding resolution

Maria Robertson 0 5036 Article rating: No rating

Earlier this afternoon, the Senate voted to pass a stopgap Continuing Resolution (CR) that would keep the government funded through December 18 and avoid a potential government shutdown.

The CR now goes to the desk of President Trump, where he is expected to sign it.   Update:  President Trump signed the extension on Friday, Dec. 11.

Proposed 11th edition of MUTCD available for preview

Public comments period starts Monday

Pam 0 11744 Article rating: 4.7

The first comprehensive update to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways (MUTCD) in a decade is now available for preview in the Federal Register.

The document opens for public comment on Monday.

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

ATSSA announces strategic reorganization

Realignments and promotions allow ATSSA to better serve membership

Pam 0 7195 Article rating: 5.0

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. (Dec. 7, 2020) – ATSSA President & CEO Stacy Tetschner announced a realignment of two of the Association’s vice presidents to better serve its members and most effectively address the multitude of vital issues facing the roadway safety infrastructure industry.

“This decision was made to address the many issues we face as an industry devoted to working toward zero deaths. I wanted to best utilize the talented people we have on our team,” Tetschner said.

Nate Smith’s role will expand to include Member Engagement as he continues leading ATSSA’s Government Relations strategy. Donna Clark becomes Vice President of Education and Technical Services.

Biden transition team focuses on transportation issues

Pam 0 5439 Article rating: No rating

As President-Elect Joe Biden continues to formulate his policy transition teams, there is a focus on transportation and infrastructure issues. There is a strong indication that infrastructure policies will be an early focus of the Biden Administration.

Today, ATSSA submitted our policy priorities to the transition team, focused on roadway safety infrastructure investments.

“For more than 50 years, ATSSA has focused on reducing roadway fatalities and serious injuries on roads throughout the country,” ATSSA President and CEO Stacy Tetschner stated. “We look forward to working with President-Elect Biden and his infrastructure advisors on ensuing that roadway safety is the focal point on any surface transportation proposals and legislation. As the voice of roadway safety, ATSSA and our members are the go-to resource for policy makers at all levels of government, including the incoming administration and future U.S Department of Transportation appointees.”

'Life is a Highway'–And we want to see the roads you travel on

We're looking for photos and videos of you and your team on the job

Pam 0 5291 Article rating: 4.0

ATSSA members know better than most that our lives are connected to the roads and highways. We travel them. We work on them. We do our best to make them safe.

And so, with a nod to the song, “Life is a Highway,” we’re looking for photos and videos showing you and your team engaged in your daily work life.

Our goal is to pull together images from across the globe showing our members at work and then share them in a video during the 51st Annual Convention & Traffic Expo.

 

1345678910Last