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Members immersed in ideas, innovations at 2023 Convention & Traffic Expo
Thousands of roadway safety advocates filled the Phoenix Convention Center this week for ATSSA’s 53rd Annual Convention & Traffic Expo, exploring the latest technology and equipment for protecting lives within work zones and on the nation’s roadways. A record-setting number of people registered, with more than 3,700 for this year's event. With nearly 50 education sessions to choose from, they gained both practical tips—such as how to negotiate contracts to limit liability—and enhanced their understanding of critical workplace safety and technology issues such as advances in communication between work zones and connected and autonomous vehicles CAVs. Keynote speaker Scott Wozniak, an organizational leadership expert from Atlanta, addressed a key workforce issue on Sunday when he offered insights for building a successful team by focusing on the essential element of employee engagement. Check out some of the highlights of this week's event. Thousands of roadway safety advocates filled the Phoenix Convention Center this week for ATSSA’s 53rd Annual Convention & Traffic Expo, exploring the latest technology and equipment for protecting lives within work zones and on the nation’s roadways. A record-setting number of people registered, with more than 3,700 for this year's event. With nearly 50 education sessions to choose from, they gained both practical tips—such as how to negotiate contracts to limit liability—and enhanced their understanding of critical workplace safety and technology issues such as advances in communication between work zones and connected and autonomous vehicles CAVs. Keynote speaker Scott Wozniak, an organizational leadership expert from Atlanta, addressed a key workforce issue on Sunday when he offered insights for building a successful team by focusing on the essential element of employee engagement. He explained his seven elements of the employee engagement engine but started with a baseline question and observation. “Do you know what makes them tick,” he said. “The fuel that threads through all of this is to speak to your people about what matters to them.” Former U.S. Rep. Bill Shuster of Pennsylvania weighed in on Monday with insights from his 17-plus years in Congress where he chaired the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. He took part in a Legislative Insights Forum during which he chatted with ATSSA Vice President of Engagement Nate Smith, who leads the Association’s advocacy team. Three national awards were announced during the Convention: Peter Speer of Pexco for the Industry Achievement Award, Neil Boudreau of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation MassDOT for the National Safety Award and Jerry Britt, now a consultant for PPG, for the Mark of Excellence Award. Blue Vigil of Sterling, Va., earned an Innovation Award for its ALED Portable Light which is a person-portable area lighting system that mounts a high-intensity LED array on a tethered unmanned aerial vehicle UAV that can be positioned up to 100 feet above a job site. That was one of 18 products in this year’s New Products Rollout. It wowed the department of transportation officials who served as judges. Throughout the Convention, participants established and strengthened relationships through informal gatherings between sessions and on the Traffic Expo floor as well as in organized gatherings including the Chair’s Reception where they were entertained by American Indian hoop dancers and local music. With mountains and desert as a backdrop, members also enjoyed two ATSS Foundation events. Both the 31st Annual Golf Classic Tournament and the 10th Annual Sporting Clays event—the two major Foundation fundraisers for the year—were sold out well in advance. Roadway Worker Memorial Scholarship recipient Joann Jones of Bluffton, Ind., attended the Convention and was on hand at the golf tournament, held at Wigwam Golf Club in Litchfield Park, Arizona. Joann’s father, Dale Jones, was killed in a work zone incident in 2009. She attends Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland where she is studying astrophysics. Scholarship recipient Rylee O’Brien of Frederic, Wisc., also attended the Convention and interacted with members taking part in the clays event at Ben Avery Clay Target Center in Phoenix. Her father, Robert O’Brien, was permanently disabled in a work zone incident in 2017. He and Rylee’s mother, Heather, attended the Convention. Rylee headed home on Sunday to resume her nursing studies at Minnesota State University Mankato. The two college students weren’t the only young participants in this year’s Convention. Two students from Arlington High School in Arlington, Mass., won this year’s Traffic Control Device TCD Student Challenge, which is open to students from high school through graduate school. Petru Sofio and Talia Askenazi are computer-aided drafting and design students. Talia gave a presentation on Monday of their solution to this year’s challenge: Innovative Traffic Control Devices to Improve Vulnerable Road User Safety. The Arizona ATSSA Chapter AZ-ATSSA also encouraged future roadway safety infrastructure professionals to attend the Convention. The chapter hosted Student Day on Monday during which local students from 7th grade through university level could attend for free, enjoy a luncheon to learn about the industry and then tour the Traffic Expo floor and interact with exhibitors. “It was great to see so many young people taking part in this year’s Convention & Traffic Expo,” ATSSA President & CEO Stacy Tetschner said. “This industry offers limitless opportunities for careers that can contribute to saving lives and utilize the latest technology. I hope they were inspired by what they saw and we will see them continue to grow in their interest. This event is a wonderful way to learn the many ways our industry advances roadway safety. I’m already looking forward to next year’s event in San Diego.”
Students encouraged to apply for Roadway Worker Memorial Scholarships
Roadway Worker Memorial Scholarships can fuel the journey to dreams fulfilled for students who lost a parent or had one permanently disabled due to a work zone incident. The ATSS Foundation offers two scholarships for the loved ones following a work zone tragedy. The Roadway Worker Memorial Scholarship Program offers dependents of the workers—both children and spouses—an opportunity to continue pursuing their academic dreams beyond high school. This competitive program offers up to $10,000 for an academic year. Applicants who demonstrate a strong commitment to volunteerism may be eligible to receive an additional $1,000 in honor of Chuck Bailey, who was an esteemed member of the roadway safety industry. Applications are due by Feb. 15 for the 2023-24 academic year. Roadway Worker Memorial Scholarships can fuel the journey to dreams fulfilled for students who lost a parent or had one permanently disabled due to a work zone incident. The ATSS Foundation offers two scholarships for the loved ones following a work zone tragedy. The Roadway Worker Memorial Scholarship Program offers dependents of the workers—both children and spouses—an opportunity to continue pursuing their academic dreams beyond high school. This competitive program offers up to $10,000 for an academic year. Applicants who demonstrate a strong commitment to volunteerism may be eligible to receive an additional $1,000 in honor of Chuck Bailey, who was an esteemed member of the roadway safety industry. Applications are due by Feb. 15 for the 2023-24 academic year. The Foundation also offers Experience Camp Travel Scholarships for children and youth to attend a free one-week, overnight summer camp where there is opportunity for healing alongside peers who have experienced similar losses. Experience Camps are a national network of summer camps and year-round programs for children and teens in grades 4 through 12. The Experience Camps Travel Scholarship covers all round-trip travel costs for the student and his or her guardian. “The goal is to no longer need these scholarships because we see an end to work zone worker deaths and serious injuries,” said ATSS Foundation Director Lori Diaz. “In the meantime, we rely on the generosity of individuals and organizations. “We have been blessed by the commitment of many ATSSA members and chapters to support The Foundation such as 3M—which again this year established a pledge wall that continues through the end of the 2023 Convention & Traffic Expo, the New England ATSSA Chapter—which hosted an event during the 2022 Midyear Meeting, and the Georgia ATSSA Chapter—which matched donations during Giving Tuesday and is a sponsor for this year’s Hoops Mania.” The Roadway Worker Memorial Scholarship Program has awarded more than $400,000 in scholarships since its inception in 1988. Fourteen students were awarded scholarships for the 2022-23 academic year. Two of the 14 also received the Chuck Bailey Memorial Scholarship for this school year. Current Roadway Worker Memorial Scholarship recipients share their stories and discuss how ATSS Foundation scholarships have helped them achieve their dreams. The ATSS Foundation is the charitable arm of ATSSA. It was formed with the core purpose to promote roadway safety through charitable giving and public awareness programs. Donations can be made at Foundation.ATSSA.com/Donate.
ATSS Foundation awards Roadway Worker Memorial Scholarships to 14 students
FREDERICKSBURG, Va. Dec. 14, 2022 –The American Traffic Safety Services Foundation awarded scholarships to 14 students for the 2022-23 academic year, with the majority of students being multi-year recipients. The Roadway Worker Memorial Scholarship Program started in 2002 to provide financial assistance for post-high school education to dependents of roadway workers killed or permanently disabled in roadway work zones. The program is competitive and provides scholarships valued up to $10,000 per student each year. The program has awarded more than $400,000 since its inception. Applicants who demonstrate a strong commitment to volunteerism may be eligible for an additional $1,000 in honor of Chuck Bailey, a member of the roadway safety industry who died in 2002. FREDERICKSBURG, Va. Dec. 14, 2022 –The American Traffic Safety Services Foundation awarded scholarships to 14 students for the 2022-23 academic year, with the majority of students being multi-year recipients. The Roadway Worker Memorial Scholarship Program started in 2002 to provide financial assistance for post-high school education to dependents of roadway workers killed or permanently disabled in roadway work zones. The program is competitive and provides scholarships valued up to $10,000 per student each year. The program has awarded more than $400,000 since its inception. Applicants who demonstrate a strong commitment to volunteerism may be eligible for an additional $1,000 in honor of Chuck Bailey, a member of the roadway safety industry who died in 2002. Joann Jones of Bluffton, Ind., and Sydney Parsons of Kelso, Wash., received the Chuck Bailey Memorial Scholarship. Joann, whose father was killed in a work zone incident in 2009, attends Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland where she is studying to become an astrophysicist. While pursuing her studies, she has helped at track and basketball camps for children, helped feed the homeless and works at an animal shelter. This is her second year as an academic scholarship recipient. Sydney begins college this year and plans to attend Central Washington University to become a paramedic. She was inspired to pursue that field by her father’s debilitating injury in 2016. She has been active with Red Cross blood drives and volunteering with Lil Titans Outdoors where she works with youth. She also is a battalion chief in a fire science program. “One of the great joys of serving on The ATSS Foundation Board is getting the opportunity to assist aspiring college students as they navigate a path forward,” said Board Chair Kevin Shelton. “Each of the students receiving a scholarship has worked hard at their studies despite the tragedy they experienced in their young lives. I wish them the best as they seek to grow and learn and pursue their passions.” The Foundation Board interviews and carefully considers each application to ensure it responsibly stewards the resources entrusted to it. “The scholarships are possible because of the many individuals, companies and organizations that support The Foundation throughout the year and who believe in its mission to promote roadway safety through charitable giving and public awareness programs,” said Foundation Director Lori Diaz. “It’s a privilege to be able to support these students.” This year’s group of recipients includes two sets of siblings and represents 10 states: California, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Tennessee, Washington and Wisconsin. Aaron Baker – Le Center, Minn., Winona State University James Beard – Highland, Ill., Southern Illinois University Edwardsville first-time recipient Tessa Beard – Highland, Ill., Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Daniel Hart – Ridge, N.Y., State University of New York Cortland Emily Hause – Eaton Rapids, Mich., Michigan State University Katie Hutt – Cleveland, Tenn., University of Tennessee Knoxville Joann Jones – Bluffton, Ind., Case Western Reserve University Mariela Lara – Ojai, Calif., California State University Channel Island Rylee O’Brien – Frederic, Wisc., Minnesota State University Mankato first-time recipient Sydney Parsons – Kelso, Wash., Central Washington University first-time recipient Alex Perez – Indianapolis, Ind., Indiana University first-time recipient Kaitlyn Pirelli – Chicago, Ill., Loyola University Chicago Megan Pirelli – Chicago, Ill., Chamberlain University College of Nursing Maycie Walker – Dry Ridge, Ky., University of Pikeville The ATSS Foundation is the charitable arm of ATSSA. It was formed in 1988 with the core purpose to promote roadway safety through charitable giving and public awareness programs.