Signs

Signs

Road Sign

Signs are important fixtures that help advance roadway safety every day throughout the United States. Today, a variety of symbols, shapes and colors are used to convey messages to users on and around the roadways. Signs types include traffic, roadway, warning, railroad, guide, recreational, temporary, regulatory, pedestrian and bicycle.


There are many benefits to using symbols, which include immediate communication with all roadway users and their ability to break language barriers. Colors can communicate approaching scenarios such as using orange to indicate an upcoming work zone or red for an upcoming stop or yielding point. A number of shapes are also used to indicate oncoming situations or to provide roadway users with information such as octagons for stop and long horizontal, rectangular signs displaying guidance information.


Today, traffic signs are being looped into the world of autonomous driving technology. Research efforts are being made to equip traffic signs with technology, like embedded machine-readable codes, to allow them to communicate with Connected Automated Vehicles (CAVs) and other mapping devices.


ATSSA has dedicated group of members on its Sign Committee (member login required), who work to:

  • Enhance members’ businesses by increasing their understanding of traffic control devices on private property,
  • Influence the present and future direction of Minimum Retroreflectivity Standards,
  • Inform and educate roadway safety industry members on sign industry-related matters,
  • Provide knowledge and education about signing retroreflectivity,
  • Work to have dedicated funds identified and available for sign management systems and the implementation of upgraded programs to conform with MRS,
  • Monitor and influence the development of a new MUTCD chapter on changeable message signs, and
  • Improve upon and solicit greater committee member participation in Sign Committee meetings and on task forces, including recruitment of new committee members.

Resources

Pam
/ Categories: ATSSA, Convention & Expo, Innovation, Tech and Innovation

Got an innovative product?

Apply now to compete for an Innovation Award and appear in the New Products Listing

Think you’ve got the goods to wow the judges at the New Products Rollout? Here’s your chance.

Applications are now open for members wanting to enter their innovations in the New Products Rollout at the 51st Annual Convention & Traffic Expo. Products released after Jan. 1, 2020 qualify. Twenty will be accepted for the New Product Listing and just 12 will be accepted for presentation to a panel of judges. The top three products will earn an Innovation Award that will be announced during the Convention, which will be held Jan. 29-Feb. 2.

“The New Products Rollout offers members the opportunity to get their creative ideas to roadway safety issues in front of thousands of people who take part in ATSSA’s Convention & Traffic Expo,” said ATSSA Director of Innovation & Technical Services Eric Perry. “The exposure provided by this event is unparalleled.”

ATSSA hosts a new products section on the exhibit floor. Nearly 3,700 people registered for the 50th Annual Convention & Traffic Expo.

JUDGING CRITERIA FOR SELECTION

Items submitted for the New Products Rollout go through preliminary judging on the following criteria.

  • Provides an overall innovation for the roadway safety infrastructure industry.
    • Is the product truly innovative, a first of its kind in the industry?
    • Can the product be used immediately or does it require further study or development?
  • Solves a current issue in the roadway safety infrastructure industry.
    • Is this product a solution for a small niche issue found in the industry or is it an industry-wide solution applicable to many uses?
    • Are there multiple problems solved by using this product, or is it a single solution for a single problem?
  • Has unique safety qualities of the product.
    • Will this product benefit motorists and workers in making our nation’s roadways safer?
  • Provides a solution to a need of local, state, or federal agencies.
    • Does this product address a need identified by local, state or federal agencies, especially in Strategic Highway Safety Plans?
  • Delivers innovativeness and applicability of the design.
    • Has the product been designed to be durable enough to survive the rigors of road work?
    • Does it comply with local and national regulations to ensure it is “road ready”?
    • Does it function safely and effortlessly as designed?

Public agency officials judge the entries during the Traffic Expo.

Winners of the Innovation Awards are featured in The Signal magazine, a press release and across ATSSA’s social media channels.

Applications are due by Dec. 1. Full details are available online.

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Tags: new products rollout innovation awards NPRO innovation award 51st Annual Convention & Traffic Expo New Products Listing
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