An ATSSA survey shows nearly half of its members remained on the job with regular operations after restrictions went into place as a result of COVID-19.

Members had the opportunity to respond to the survey between March 18 and 25 and were provided seven options as to how their business or agency was handling operations under the COVID-19 restrictions imposed by the federal and state governments.

ATSSA President & CEO Stacy Tetschner sent a letter to the nation’s lieutenant governors today, asking them to declare ATSSA members in the category of “essential critical infrastructure workers” as defined by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

“Although ATSSA members fall into the categories outlined by DHS as essential, we urge you and the Governor to explicitly indicate that these industries in your state be deemed essential,” Tetschner wrote.

The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) issued an update to its guidance for the Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH) on Tuesday.

The newly published information provides three additions to the Frequently Asked Questions for MASH.

ATSSA President & CEO Stacy Tetschner sent a letter to the nation’s governors today asking that the Association’s members be considered “essential critical infrastructure workers”  in their respective jurisdictions under the guidelines issued March 19 by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

“On behalf of the 1,500 members of the American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA), I urge you to deem road construction workers and the manufacturers of roadway safety devices and construction machinery as essential industries and workers in your state,” Tetschner wrote. “ATSSA members manufacture, distribute and install lifesaving roadway safety infrastructure devices such as traffic signs and signals, pavement markings, guardrail and cable barrier, crash cushions and work zone safety devices, among many others.

In response to the global pandemic, ATSSA’s Training Department is accelerating release of one of its new online courses.

The Training Department had been slated to launch a new segment of online training addressing  human resources and workplace safety issues later this spring but out of heightened concerns for the health and safety of members amid COVID-19, Vice President of Member Services Donna Clark authorized early release of one course. The pandemic-related course is offered for free to members through April.

ATSSA member Ver-Mac has suspended its auction of a portable message sign in light of the coronavirus pandemic currently facing the nation and world.

The auction had been scheduled to run through March 27 with proceeds benefitting the American Traffic Safety Services Foundation.

ATSSA President & CEO Stacy Tetschner released a statement to members today reinforcing the Association’s support for members and informing them of its current telework process for staff.

“We know you are dealing with unprecedented challenges as our nation feels the enormous impact of COVID-19. We want you to know that our team is continuing to work full-time to deliver the support you need, even as we work remotely in recognition of national and state guidelines geared at stopping the spread of this potentially deadly virus,” Tetschner wrote.

Today, both houses of the Kansas legislature voted to pass a transportation funding bill and sent it to Gov. Laura Kelly’s desk. Members of the Heart of America-ATSSA (HOA-ATSSA) Chapter leadership participated in the Economic Lifelines coalition advocacy day in Topeka on Feb. 12. They had a booth in the state Capitol highlighting the work that ATSSA members do throughout Kansas. Additionally, they met with Transportation Committee leaders and the state Secretary of Transportation and participated in a press conference with the governor.

ATSSA has postponed two major events scheduled for this spring in the wake of COVID-19. The Legislative Briefing & Fly-In scheduled for April 22-23 has been delayed by five months to Sept. 9-10. The Safer Roads 2020 International Conference scheduled for May 12-14 in Richmond, Va., has been postponed by six months to November. An exact date will be announced once it is confirmed.

We will post additional updates related to COVID-19 as available.

National Work Zone Awareness Week will continue as scheduled on April 20-24. However, Michigan officials canceled the April 21 kickoff event in accord with CDC guidelines regarding the coronavirus pandemic.

As of Sunday, the CDC recommended groups not hold gatherings of 50 or more people for the next eight weeks. Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) officials discussed the issue with ATSSA today. It was agreed that MDOT will instead host next year’s event. Virginia DOT had been scheduled to host in 2021 but will now host in 2022.