TRIP report estimates $1.9 trillion in societal harm from fatal and serious traffic crashes in 2022 TRIP report estimates $1.9 trillion in societal harm from fatal and serious traffic crashes in 2022 Maria Robertson / Wednesday, June 21, 2023 0 5897 Article rating: No rating TRIP, a national transportation research nonprofit, this morning released a report showing that the high number of traffic fatalities and serious-injury crashes over the past three years took a significant toll on the nation in both lives lost and economic costs. Utilizing data from a 2023 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) report, TRIP estimated that fatal and serious traffic crashes in the U.S. in 2022 caused a total of $1.9 trillion in “societal harm,” including $465 billion in economic costs and $1.4 trillion in quality-of-life costs. Read more
ATSSA research indicates raw materials shortage receding ATSSA research indicates raw materials shortage receding Maria Robertson / Monday, June 12, 2023 0 4492 Article rating: 4.5 Since the first quarter of 2021, ATSSA has monitored the availability of several key raw materials on behalf of the roadway safety infrastructure industry. In the most recent survey conducted in May, most members surveyed indicated they are seeing lessening impacts from the raw materials shortages of last year. In response to the latest raw materials survey results, ATSSA President & CEO Stacy Tetschner said, “I understand there may be continued challenges in obtaining electronic components and microchips to support the demand for signs and signals. Resin, plastics and sheeting have also been referenced. However, most of the suppliers feel they will be able to meet their contractual obligations for this year and be able to build on these successes into 2024. While this is better news than a year ago, we will continue monitoring the availability of materials by surveying our manufacturer and supplier community to ensure ATSSA keeps our industry informed.” Read more
Apply now for public agency scholarships for 2024 Convention & Traffic Expo Apply now for public agency scholarships for 2024 Convention & Traffic Expo Officials with city, county, state and federal transportation agencies encouraged to apply Maria Robertson / Thursday, June 1, 2023 0 6145 Article rating: 5.0 ATSSA’s Public Agency and Marty Weed Engineering scholarships provide department of transportation (DOT) officials opportunities to engage with the latest roadway safety tools and the people advancing the industry at the largest gathering of roadway safety infrastructure officials in North America. A record-breaking crowd registered for ATSSA’s 2023 Convention & Traffic Expo, and more are expected for the 54th annual event in San Diego, Feb. 2-6. Read more
National Work Zone Awareness Week official kickoff hosted by MoDOT National Work Zone Awareness Week official kickoff hosted by MoDOT Maria Robertson / Tuesday, April 18, 2023 0 2234 Article rating: No rating The National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW) kickoff event was hosted today by the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT). The event was held overlooking the new Lance Cpl. Leon Deraps Interstate 70 westbound bridge over the Missouri river near Rocheport, Mo. During this year’s NWZAW, Gloria Shepherd, executive director for the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) joined MoDOT officials in reminding drivers to keep highway workers safe as construction season. Read more
FHWA hosts session on Every Day Counts Round 7 Innovations FHWA hosts session on Every Day Counts Round 7 Innovations Registration now open for Dec. 2 virtual rollout Maria Robertson / Monday, November 14, 2022 0 11741 Article rating: No rating The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) will host an executive-level virtual rollout of the Every Day Counts (EDC) program round 7 innovations on Dec. 2. These innovations will build upon the already significant legacy of EDC and support FHWA’s efforts to drive innovation around three core priorities: Improving safety for all road users; Building sustainable infrastructure for the future; and Growing an inclusive workforce. EDC is a state-based program that identifies and rapidly deploys proven, yet underutilized innovations that make our transportation system adaptable, sustainable, equitable and safer for all. Proven innovations promoted through EDC facilitate greater efficiency at the State, Local and Tribal levels, saving time, money and resources to ensure our infrastructure is built better, faster, and smarter. Register now to attend on Dec. 2 at 1:30 p.m. ET. The Executive Session is open to everyone. Read more
ATSSA supports Bhatt’s nomination for FHWA administrator ATSSA supports Bhatt’s nomination for FHWA administrator Statement notes history of expertise and passion for transportation safety Maria Robertson / Thursday, August 18, 2022 0 8782 Article rating: No rating On behalf of ATSSA, President & CEO Stacy Tetschner sent a letter to Chair Tom Carper and Ranking Member Shelley Capito of the Senate Committee on Environment & Public Works strongly supporting the presidential nomination of the Honorable Shailen Bhatt to serve as Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). “Mr. Bhatt has demonstrated a long history of expertise, passion and dedication to the transportation safety community. He has highlighted these qualities throughout his career in the transportation sector, and we are excited by his nomination,” Tetschner stated in his letter. “Mr. Bhatt’s commitment to the safety of the traveling public is unquestionable, and he will be a dynamic leader of the FHWA as they continue their work on advancing roadway safety.” Read more
ATSSA strongly opposes President Biden’s gas tax suspension proposal ATSSA strongly opposes President Biden’s gas tax suspension proposal Maria Robertson / Wednesday, June 22, 2022 0 9951 Article rating: 5.0 ATSSA President and CEO, Stacy Tetschner released the following statement today that strongly opposes President Joe Biden’s proposal for suspending federal and state gas taxes. "Although we certainly support efforts to reduce the price per gallon of gasoline and diesel, suspending federal fuel taxes would set a dangerous precedent, financially undermine the recently-enacted bipartisan infrastructure law, impact state and local governments’ certainty of federal roadway safety funding, and imperil the ability to enact future multi-year transportation authorizations. It’s extremely unlikely that the suspension of federal fuel taxes will result in the American consumer actually seeing a commensurate reduction in the price they pay at the pump when filling up their vehicle. Read more
USDOT releases grant notification for $5 billion Safe Streets for All Program USDOT releases grant notification for $5 billion Safe Streets for All Program Maria Robertson / Monday, May 16, 2022 0 4719 Article rating: 5.0 Today, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) released its Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the newly created Safe Streets and Roads for All Program, a $5 billion grant program focused on local vision zero projects which was created in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). The grant is funded at $1 billion annually through Fiscal Year 2026. The grant program is focused on assisting local and regional governments in achieving their vision zero goals and strategies. Eligible grant recipients include cities, towns and townships, counties, metropolitan planning organizations, some transit authorities, tribes and groupings of these units of governments (for example, multiple cities can join together for a project). State governments are ineligible to receive this grant. Read more
ATSSA mourns the passing of roadway safety champion Norm Mineta ATSSA mourns the passing of roadway safety champion Norm Mineta Maria Robertson / Wednesday, May 4, 2022 0 11398 Article rating: 2.5 Former Secretary of Transportation and roadway safety leader Norm Y. Mineta passed away on May 3, 2022, at the age of 90. ATSSA President and CEO Stacy Tetschner issued the following statement: The country has lost a leader and staunch supporter of roadway safety. Mineta was the U.S.’s longest serving Secretary of Transportation and launched the Decade of Action for Road Safety in Washington, D.C. during his tenure. He was a vocal supporter of National Work Zone Awareness Week and as a champion of the transportation industry. Perhaps most significantly, Secretary Mineta worked with ATSSA in establishing the nation’s first dedicated federal program for roadway safety infrastructure, the Highway Safety Improvement Program. Tens of thousands of people are alive today directly because of Secretary Mineta’s passion for roadway safety. His legacy will live on in the work that our members do every day in making roads safer. Read more
‘Effective Incident Response’ webinar set for March 22 ‘Effective Incident Response’ webinar set for March 22 Registration is open for ATSSA’s second Worker Safety Webinar Maria Robertson / Thursday, March 17, 2022 0 4351 Article rating: No rating Prepare for effective incident response by attending the free March 22 Worker Safety Webinar hosted by the ATSSA Training Department and its Roadway Worker Protection Council. This is the second in a series of five webinars, all of which are free and focus on learning ways to protect roadway workers. “The goal of these webinars is to help our members protect their employees and to help prepare them in case a work zone incident occurs,” said ATSSA Vice President of Education and Technical Services Donna Clark. “Obviously, we never want any roadway worker to get injured but we’ve learned it’s better to be prepared and not need the skills than to be unprepared if the worst happens.” Read more