ATSSA Signal July/August 2020

American Traffic Safety Services Association 12 COVID-19 LIMITED INTERPERSONAL OPTIONS POSE RISK FOR BUSINESS GROWTH For thoseof uswho supply and imple- ment Temporary Tra f f i c Cont ro l (TTC), unknowns and planning for the unexpected are a normal part of life. The better we are at anticipating and reacting to our customers’ needs, the more likely we are to survive and, hopefully, prosper. With this whole COVID-19 ordeal, we’ve all found ourselves in unpredictable and unfamiliar territory. Looking ahead, themost unnerving issue for our industry is the likely impacts of decreased opportunities for interper- sonal interactions and relationships. Meetings provide a prime example. Historically, we handled everyday busi- ness by meeting with customers and project personnel onsite and in-person. While the thought of fewer unnecessary meetings iswelcome andwould allow for increased productivity, the thought of losing important facetime is disturbing. Will a reductionof time spent face-to-face hinder us from building, fostering, and solidifying relationships? Will it reduce job satisfaction, making a difficult job even more so? Construction often involves conflict and conflict is much harder to resolve without strong personal relationships. A successful project is one that not only comes in financially favorable, but also is one where we effectively navigate conflicts, build working friendships, and look forward to working together again. Collaboration and problem-solving will inevitably look different if projects are handled mostly by phone, webcam, or some other digital platform. Admittedly, my perspective is that of a Gen Xer; younger generations likely embrace and even prefer this new way of interacting. Another concern isold-fashionednetwork- ing. Whether it’s an ATSSA Convention & Traffic Expo or a local event, the meet - ing, mingling, and small talk with people are paramount for career development and building one’s network. If these networking opportunities are greatly reduced, people from new companies Insiders provide perspectives on industry’s direction in post-pandemic era As governors across the country began lif ting stay-at-home orders in May, one thing became clear: No one knew exactly how to do it or what life would be like in the days, weeks, and months ahead. Recognizing that, The Signal asked three members of the roadway safety infrastructure industry to share their expectations from their vantage points. Reed Leidle , a 28-year industry veteran, serves as vice president of Safety Signs in Lakeville, Minn. He is past president and a current board member of the Northland ATSSA Chapter, past chair of ATSSA’s Temporary Traffic Control (TTC) Committee, a past member of the PAC Oversight Committee, and current member of the Operating Committee. Priscilla Tobias is a 28-year-veteran of the transportation industry, a licensed professional engineer in the state of Illinois, and a certified Road Safety Professional Level 2, Behavior and Infrastructure. She leads the Illinois operations for Arora and Associates. Paul Carlson is chief technology officer at Road Infrastructure Inc. where he focuses on advancing highway infrastructure initia - tives related to connected and automated vehicles. He holds a doctorate in civil engineering and provides thought leadership for national organizations working to evolve highway infrastructure as automated vehicles become more prevalent. He chairs the SAE International Highway Infrastructure Task Force and the National Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Device Connected Auto - mated Vehicle Task Force, is former co-chair of the TRB Traffic Control Devices Committee and serves on ATSSA’s Pavement Marking Committee and Operating Committee. Reed Leidle