ATSSA’s Annual Report for 2020 is now available online. This year’s theme is “A Year of Transitions” and lays out the many achievements that took place across the Association in a historic year.

The report opens with a letter from President & CEO Stacy Tetschner who arrived at ATSSA just before the global pandemic forced staff to begin working from home.

The Association kicked off 2020 with a 50^th anniversary celebration at its Annual Convention & Traffic Expo held in New Orleans. There members said their farewells to President & CEO Roger Wentz who retired after 22 years.

Training and technology were identified as two important areas to address during this morning’s Roadway Worker Protection Summit, the kick-off event of ATSSA’s 51^st Annual Convention & Traffic Expo.

“Training is absolutely critical,” said Kathi Holst, a four-decade member of the industry, an ATSSA board member and president & CEO of RCMS in Naperville, Ill. “If we aren’t providing training … we are negligent.”

Holst was one of four panelists for the Summit, which addressed both prevention of work zone incidents and resources for use if the worst happens and an employee gets killed on the job. ATSSA Vice President of Education & Technical Services Donna Clark and ATSS Foundation Chair Dave Krahulec moderated the discussion, which also included Doug Dolinar, who is president of Guidemark Inc. of Souderton, Pa., and also an ATSSA board member.

As more states move to legalize marijuana and decriminalize other controlled substances, employers face increasing challenges and liability from employment-related claims in the workplace.

From demands to accommodate medical marijuana use in the workplace to disability related accommodation requests under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), employers are required to navigate evolving state laws decriminalizing marijuana while federal law continues to prohibit marijuana and other controlled substances.

From the ADA to OSHA to workers compensation claims involving impaired employees, this education session – “The Grass Isn’t Always Greener: The Impact of Increased Marijuana Legalization on the Workplace and Other Employment Law Developments” -evaluates employers’ legal duties while providing practical advice to help avoid employment claims. This is one of nearly 50 education sessions offered at ATSSA’s 51^st Annual Convention & Traffic Expo. It concludes with a look ahead at emerging law trends that may impact your company in 2021, including claims emerging from COVID-19 and new federal and state regulations.

The Senate today confirmed former South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg as Secretary of Transportation, adding him to the cabinet of President Joe Biden.

Buttigieg campaigned on the need for transportation and infrastructure investment throughout his bid to become the Democrats’ nominee for president. During his hearing before the Senate Commerce Committee last month, he touched on the need for shoring up revenue for the Highway Trust Fund (HTF), increased investment in tribal and rural roads, the future of autonomous vehicles and the need for safety to be at the forefront of any new transportation or infrastructure initiative.

The Senate Commerce Committee forwarded his nomination to the full Senate on Wednesday by a 21-3 vote.

The full Senate confirmed Buttigieg’s nomination by a vote of 86-13.

The demand for rideshare continues to grow across the globe. It is becoming increasingly important that traffic control design specialists understand the nuances of how companies like Uber work to streamline pick-ups, drop-offs and vehicle routing for the 35%+ of Americans who use ridesharing apps and are able to leave their own cars at home.

Whether it be event planning, emergency responses or long-term construction projects, there are significant benefits to understanding how rideshare functions and how to best incorporate it in the planning process.

Join Katie Savarise and Ben Kemp of Uber for “Effectively Integrating Rideshare into Traffic Management Plans” on Feb. 8, from 1- 2 p.m. EST. It is one of nearly 50 education sessions offered during ATSSA’s 51^st Annual Convention & Traffic Expo being held online Feb. 8-12 and 16-18.

ATSSA’s 2021 Convention & Traffic Expo is nearly here and final touches are being put in place. For people who have never had the opportunity to attend, this year’s event is fully online so it’s the perfect opportunity to find out what you’ve been missing and take in activities that are new this year.

Registration is open for the event that runs Feb. 8-12 and 16-18. Check out the full schedule that includes two general sessions packed with panels addressing key industry information. Plus, nearly 50 education sessions await on topics from addressing personnel challenges to the latest on technology issues including connected and automated vehicles (CAVs) and pavement markings.

Attendees can also take part in as many as six discussions with their colleagues about the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways (MUTCD) in the Conversation Lounge within the online platform.

Influencing your employees and team members is one of the most important and challenging parts of being a leader, but it’s essential if you’re going to create safe and productive workplaces. Unfortunately, employees don’t always listen to or follow through on your guidance. Sometimes that’s because they really don’t know what they need to do. But it might also be that they’re unclear on what action to take and when. Or maybe there are obstacles in their way. However, the real reason might be deeper than that. Maybe the person you’re trying to influence thinks they know better than you or maybe they don’t like being told what to do. 

Often the inclination is to address all problems as knowledge problems which means providing your employees more information on what to do and when. But if it’s a deeper motivation, that isn’t going to help. It might even backfire. Even the best-intentioned leaders can unknowingly make the situation worse by using communication styles that trigger more resistance.

“But I Don’t Wanna” is one of nearly 50 education sessions offered at ATSSA’s 51st Annual Convention & Traffic Expo, held online Feb. 8-12 and 16-18.

What has been holding you back from becoming the leader you are meant to be? If you could overcome that challenge, what would your life look like? Would it lead to a promotion, better job, pay raise?

Would it enable you to have more quality time with those you love or be a better provider for them? Perhaps you envision giving back to the community by leading a non-profit board, committee or fundraising event. What would it feel like to realize your true potential?

If any of these resonate with you, and you are ready to take the next step, then “Be Like Salt” is for you! This is one of nearly 50 education sessions included in ATSSA’s 51^st Annual Convention & Traffic Expo, held online Feb. 8-12 and 16-18.

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. (Jan. 20, 2021) – The American Traffic Safety Services Association today unveiled its new membership magazine, Roadway Safety. The magazine was redesigned and renamed to better reflect the Association’s core purpose, which is to advance roadway safety.

The magazine will be distributed quarterly, with the inaugural issue online today. Supplements will accompany the magazine twice each year. ATSSA sought input from members and internal stakeholders in undertaking a new vision for the publication, previously known as The Signal. The redesign also includes a new direction for content. Articles will focus on industry trends, business issues and roadway safety innovations rather than events, which will be highlighted in other forms of communication such as the ATSSA blog, website and social media channels including Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.

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.