FREDERICKSBURG, Va. (Jan. 7, 2021) – The American Traffic Safety Services Association  selected nine companies to participate in its 2021 New Products Rollout  event, which is held in conjunction with the 51st Annual Convention & Traffic Expo being held online over two weeks in February.

Typically, more than 3,700 people attend the largest roadway safety tradeshow in North America to see some of the latest innovations in the roadway safety infrastructure industry. The products submitted as part of NPRO are comprised of a wide range of devices designed to save lives on our nation’s roadways.

This year’s Convention is being held Feb. 8-12 and 16-18.

The Federal Highway administration issued a Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices or Streets and Highways (MUTCD) official ruling this week pertaining to syntax on changeable message sign messaging.

Official Ruling No. 2(09)-174 provides an official interpretation for the question of “whether the MUTCD provides for displays on changeable message signs (CMS) that use unconventional wording typically not found on standard signing and how public input into the development of CMS messages may be used.”

The ruling notes that the devices should not contain advertising or messages unrelated to traffic control and then reviews the five principles for an effective traffic control device: fulfill a need; command attention; convey a clear, simple meaning; command respect from road users; and give adequate time for proper response.

Attend the Open Forum on Workforce Development at ATSSA’s 51^st Annual Convention & Traffic Expo to be part of the dialogue among key stakeholders on the challenges facing roadway safety infrastructure industry in hiring and retaining a viable workforce.

Hear from experts during a two-hour session on Feb. 10 and engage in the discussion to help identify partners and resources. 

Sarah Sladek, founder and CEO of XYZ University, will serve as facilitator and will be joined by  Karen Bobo, director of the Center for Transportation Workforce Development at the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).

The American Traffic Safety Services Foundation (The ATSS Foundation) offers academic scholarships to the spouses and children of roadway workers killed or permanently disabled in work zone incidents to help them achieve their academic goals.

Applications for Roadway Worker Memorial Scholarships for the 2021-22 academic year are due by Feb. 15. Roadway Worker Memorial scholarships are competitive and awarded annually to help put family members on the road to a brilliant future.

Scholarships provide financial assistance up to $10,000 for post-secondary education. Applicants who demonstrate a strong commitment to volunteerism may be eligible for an additional $1,000 in honor of Chuck Bailey, a member of the roadway safety industry who died in 2002.

Always secretly dreamed of stardom? Enjoy showing off your musical talents? Have a group of bandmates?

Get your act together and compete in ATSSA’s Got Talent: Battle of the Bands edition during the 51^st Annual Convention & Traffic Expo in February.

Achieve fame among your ATSSA colleagues and you could be playing for the crowd in Tampa at the 52^nd Annual Convention & Traffic Expo.

The entry deadline is Jan. 10.