ATSSA & TRB announce 2021 Traffic Control Device Student Challenge

Challenge offers opportunity for students to innovate for the future of roadway safety

ATSSA and the Transportation Research Board (TRB) Standing Committee on Traffic Control Devices have launched the 2021 Traffic Control Device (TCD) Student Challenge.

The TCD Student Challenge promotes innovation and stimulates ideas in the traffic control devices industry with a goal to improve operations and safety and encourage future generations of roadway safety professionals. As part of the challenge, individuals or student teams submit solutions in the subject area of transportation and roadway safety, based on the chosen topic for the year.

This year’s topic is “Innovative Traffic Control Device Strategies for Speed Management on Limited Access Freeways.”

The TCD Student Challenge is open to high school, junior college, college or university students or teams of students who have an interest in transportation and an understanding of traffic control devices. Students in relevant fields such as transportation, human factors and technology- related curricula are particularly encouraged to participate.

“The TCD Student Challenge is a great way for our industry to engage students in learning more about transportation and give them an incentive to do so. Students use their creativity to come up with innovative solutions for current roadway safety challenges that practitioners are trying to address right now to save lives. This year’s challenge focuses on speed management because more than one-fourth of all traffic fatalities involve at least one driver that was speeding,” said ATSSA’s Director of Innovation and Technical Services Eric Perry.

The submittals help encourage innovation and creative thought in the transportation community. Participants receive the opportunity to present their designs in a public forum during the 2021 TRB Annual Meeting. Three winning teams will win a cash prize and have the opportunity to present their submissions at ATSSA’s 51st Annual Convention & Traffic Expo in San Diego.

The deadline to submit an application is Oct. 1.

The 2020 winners presented their innovative ideas during ATSSA’s 50^th Annual Convention & Traffic Expo.