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

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/ Categories: ATSSA, Tech and Innovation

Wanted: Students with creative minds to tackle a traffic safety challenge

Traffic Control Device Student Challenge returns after pandemic pause

ATSSA and the Transportation Research Board (TRB) Standing Committee on Traffic Control Devices invite students to compete in the 2022 Traffic Control Device (TCD) Student Challenge.

The contest returns after a one-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Students are challenged to come up with “Innovative Traffic Control Device Strategies for Speed Management on Limited Access Freeways.”

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 topic for the year.

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

The 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.

Participants receive the opportunity to present their designs in a public forum during the 2022 TRB Annual Meeting, which will be held in Washington, D.C., Jan. 9-13. Three winning teams will win a cash prize and have the opportunity to present their submissions at ATSSA’s 52nd Annual Convention & Traffic Expo in Tampa, Fla., Feb. 11-15.

Applications are due by Oct. 1. Full details about the TCD Student Challenge are here.

Check out details about the 2020 winners

Key dates are as follows:

  • Submission Deadline: Oct. 1, 2021
  • Notification of invitation to the TRB Annual Meeting: Nov. 1, 2021
  • Presentations and judging at the TRB Annual Meeting, Washington, D.C.: Jan. 9-13, 2022
  • Announcement of winners at TRB: Jan. 13, 2022
  • Recognition of winners at ATSSA’s Convention & Traffic Expo, Tampa, Fla., Feb. 11-15, 2022
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Tags: TCD Student Challenge TRB 52nd Annual Convention & Traffic Expo
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