Winners of Traffic Control Device Challenge announced at TRB Annual Meeting

Students across U.S. competed in ATSSA/TRB competition to address wrong-way driving

(Fredericksburg, Va.) – The American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA), in partnership with the National Academy of Sciences’ Transportation Research Board (TRB), today announce the three winners of the ATSSA/TRB Traffic Control Device Challenge (TCD Challenge).

Engineering students from across the U.S. competed in the TCD Challenge, which focused on wrong-way driving. Students were asked to submit ideas that addressed how the current system needs to change to prevent this behavior and attendant crashes; to consider what traffic control device designs, ideas, enhancements, and/or standards could potentially stop wrong-way driving; and how technology could compliment these traffic control device strategies.

More than 20 finalists from across the U.S. were evaluated for the prestigious awards during the January TRB Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C. From those submissions, 11 finalists were selected, which were then narrowed down to the top three winners. First, second, and third place winners were then selected. The top three finalists will present their concepts to the roadway safety industry – and nearly 3,500 guests – during ATSSA’s upcoming 48th Annual Convention and Traffic Expo in San Antonio, Texas, from Jan. 26 to 30. The winning teams also received cash prizes and plaques for their submissions.

Participants in the contest included students from high schools, community colleges, college or graduate students, or teams of students with an interest in transportation. All submissions were original designs or modifications to industry-accepted designs or products. A panel of TRB experts judged entries based on the ability of the idea to address a specific roadway problem, how easily it would be understood by all road users, its applicability on a nationwide basis, and its feasibility for implementation.

ATSSA’s core purpose is to advance roadway safety. The association also leads the nation in work zone safety training and education for roadway workers across the country. ATSSA members accomplish the advancement of roadway safety through the design, manufacture and installation of roadway safety and traffic control devices.

The mission of the TRB is to provide leadership in transportation innovation and progress through research and information exchange, conducted within a setting that is objective, interdisciplinary, and multimodal.

The winners are:

1st Place ($1,500)
Title: Comprehensive System of Pavement Markings and Signage to Deter Wrong-Way Drivers
Student team: Danielle Berman, Owen Hitchcock, Kristin Kersavage, Lingyu Li, Kan Wu
School: Pennsylvania State University

2nd Place ($1,000)
Title: In-Roadway Warning Lights for Wrong-Way Detection and Prevention
Student team: Hisham Jashami, Zachary Barlow, Ellen Simpson, Logan Scott-Deeter
School: Oregon State University

3rd Place ($500)
Title: Audible Warning Device for Wrong Way Drivers
Student team: Elizabeth Farr, Robert Gallup, Katy Harlan, Jacob Kaltenbronn, Kaitlin Windsor
School: University of Missouri