Apply now for Public Agency Scholarships for ATSSA’s 2026 Convention & Traffic Expo

Apply now for Public Agency Scholarships for ATSSA’s 2026 Convention & Traffic Expo

Local, state and federal transportation agency officials encouraged to apply

Transportation agency employees are encouraged to join industry peers and thousands of roadway professionals for ATSSA’s 2026 Convention & Traffic Expo.

The 2026 Convention & Traffic Expo takes place Feb. 20-24 at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston.

Travel and housing assistance is offered through Public Agency and Marty Weed Engineering scholarships. These two scholarships provide department of transportation (DOT) officials with the opportunity to network with thousands of roadway safety professionals and engage with the latest innovations at the largest gathering of the roadway safety infrastructure industry in North America.

Scholarship applications are now open for the 56^th Annual Convention & Traffic Expo, which will include the New Products Rollout (NPRO), featuring some of the most advanced technology and ideas for advancing roadway safety. These products will vie for the coveted Innovation Award as judged by DOT officials. Also, join public agency peers for the perennially popular Circle of Innovation, where transportation officials from throughout the U.S. and across the globe gather to problem-solve and share insights.

ATSSA President & CEO Stacy Tetschner recognizes the value of the public and private sector collaborations that take place at the Convention and can lead to practical solutions to safety challenges.

“Newcomers and long-time veterans of our Convention & Traffic Expo benefit greatly from attendance,” Tetschner said. “The opportunities for collaboration and exploration are limitless. And industry experts from every arena of the roadway safety infrastructure field freely share their expertise at dozens of education sessions.”

ATSSA is offering more than 150 scholarships to public agency officials to attend the 2026 Convention & Traffic Expo.

Public agency officials at city, county, state and federal agencies are encouraged to apply for a scholarship, which provides:

• Complimentary registration to the 2026 Convention & Traffic Expo.
• Reimbursement of travel expenses up to $900, with receipts to cover airfare, mileage, meals and transportation to/from the airport, plus complimentary lodging for four nights at a designated ATSSA hotel (Feb. 20 – 24). Rooms booked outside the hotel block are ineligible for reimbursement.

Scholarship recipients are required to participate in all Convention activities beginning the morning of Feb. 21 through the end of Traffic Expo on Feb. 24. This includes committee meetings, education sessions, Circle of Innovation and networking activities including the Public Agency Reception and Chapter Networking Breakfast.

Two types of scholarships are available: the Marty Weed Engineering Scholarship and the Public Agency Scholarship.

The Marty Weed Engineering Scholarship is named for a longtime ATSSA member who devoted 33 years to the Washington State Department of Transportation and consistently focused on the improvement of the nation’s roadway safety infrastructure. The scholarship is available for two new engineers employed by a public agency who specialize in work zone safety and temporary traffic control.

Individuals meeting all the following criteria are eligible to apply for the Marty Weed Engineering Scholarship:

• Employed by a public agency (city, county, state or federal) as an active engineer, or practicing engineer or received their EIT or P.E. at the time the application is submitted and
• Have a maximum of seven total years of engineering work experience and
• Specialize or have a strong interest in work zone safety and temporary traffic control.

Anyone employed by a county, city, state or federal agency is encouraged to apply for a Public Agency Scholarship. Preference is given based on the following criteria, which are not shown in a priority order:

• Active Associate: Public Agency ATSSA members (either Firm or Individual)
• “Key decision makers” for their respective agency
• Active with a local ATSSA Chapter
• Speakers at ATSSA’s 2026 Convention & Traffic Expo education sessions
• Public agency officials employed in traffic safety/safety/work zones.
• First-time applicants

Scholarship applications are due by Aug. 29. Applicants will be notified starting Sept. 16. Anyone who qualifies for but is not awarded a Marty Weed Engineering Scholarship will automatically be considered for a Public Agency Scholarship. Scholarship recipients must register and reserve housing by Oct. 17.

Learn more about the 2026 Convention & Traffic Expo and check back often for updates.