Lifesaving innovations explored at ATSSA’s Convention & Traffic Expo

Lifesaving innovations explored at ATSSA’s Convention & Traffic Expo

Record number gathers in Houston for advances in worker and motorist protection

A record-setting number of roadway safety advocates from private industry, public agencies and educational institutions from across the world gathered in Houston over the past five days to explore the latest innovations for protecting roadway workers and the people who travel the thoroughfares they work to maintain.

They came from across the U.S., Canada and beyond for the 56^th Annual Convention & Traffic Expo, the premier event in North America for the roadway safety infrastructure industry. This year’s registration exceeded the 4,582 people who registered for the 2025 event in Orlando, Fla.

Keynote Chad Hymas spoke from his wheelchair, providing unmistakable evidence of the importance of vigilance when it comes to safety.

Keynote speaker Chad Hymas, who has been confined to a wheelchair since an accident on his ranch, inspired Convention participants with his personal story, passion for safety and exhortation to look out for one another.

This year’s Convention included installation of new leadership on ATSSA’s Board.

Haley Murphy of Direct Traffic Control Inc. was installed as chair of the ATSSA Board on Monday, along with Dave Krahulec as chair-elect.

The 2026 Convention & Traffic Expo was held Feb. 20-24 at the George R. Brown Convention Center where attendees explored the latest advances in research during 26 educational sessions starting on Sunday.

And outside the classroom, they immersed themselves in the sights, sounds, technology, tactics and vehicles designed to advance roadway safety in Traffic Expo exhibits filling the Convention Center’s 300,000-square-foot display area.

The Traffic Expo floor teemed with activity from Sunday through Tuesday as exhibitors discussed their innovative options for advancing roadway safety.

Before events began at the Convention Center, the ATSS Foundation hosted its two biggest annual fundraisers – the 34^th Annual Golf Classic Tournament and the 13^th Annual Sporting Clays Event.

College students Alayna Beard and Mariela Lara, two of this year’s nine recipients of the Foundation’s Roadway Worker Memorial Scholarship, spoke at the two fundraisers, sharing about the tragedy that qualified them for a scholarship and how the Foundation has assisted them as they pursue their career goals.

Alayna Beard, whose older sister and brother have also been scholarship recipients, attended the golf event held at the Wildcat Golf Club in Houston. She is in her first year at the University of Missouri. Her father, Dennis Beard, was killed on May 22, 2012, when he was struck by a speeding vehicle while setting up a lane closure on Interstate 64 in Fairview Heights, Ill.

Roadway Worker Memorial Scholarship recipient Alayna Beard, right, and her mother, Josie Beard, left, attended the Golf Classic Tournament on Friday where they interacted with golfers and met ATSSA President and CEO Stacy Tetschner.

Mariela Lara, a senior at California State University in Long Beach, has received multiple scholarships from the Foundation. Her father, Adan Lara, was killed in 2015 when she was 14 years old. He was working for the Ventura County Public Works Agency, clearing a road in preparation for an El Nino storm when he was struck by a motorist.

Roadway Worker Memorial Scholarship recipient Mariela Lara, center, attended the ATSS Foundation’s Sporting Clays Event on Friday.

Check out some additional snapshots from the fun, awards and innovations at ATSSA’s five-day event.

On Monday, ATSSA announced this year’s national award winners, including, from left, Gene Hawkins for the Chairman’s Award, Doug Dolinar for the Industry Achievement Award, and Darcy Bullock for the National Safety Award.

The Innovation Award was announced Monday with the Skidabrader Group’s Work Zone Blank Canvas chosen by a panel of judges. Sheldon Spears, left, represented Skidabrader. Representing companies given honorable mention were Scott Heydt of Horizon Signal Technologies, Steve Weber of REBLOC Inc., and Chris McGarty and Cecil Brown representing the joint venture of Omnisight and Valtir.

Bill Lambert of the New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT) tried his hand at lassoing – one of the fun activities offered at this year’s Texas-sized event.

The Lego Bar was a new option this year, offering the opportunity for some play while employing creative and engineering skills.

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) set up a booth for attendees to experience what it’s like to be a vulnerable road user as part of the “Empathy at the intersection” program. Molly Murphy of Assigner in Denver, Colo., put on glasses that gave her insight into what it’s like to have a visual impairment.

Members of public agencies from across the country took part in the New Products Rollout Tour on Monday, interacting with representatives from companies that entered innovative products with lifesaving potential in the New Products Rollout.

As the event wrapped up, ATSSA exhibitors donated items to two local charities, providing electronics, furniture and supplies to the Houston Food Bank and Houston City Reuse Warehouse.

Start planning now for next year when ATSSA’s 57^th Annual Convention & Traffic Expo will be held Feb. 5-9 at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach, Calif. Don’t miss the annual event where roadway safety and innovation intersect.