ATSSA Signal November December 2020

ATSSA News 5) Street Talk with Stacy Tetschner 7) New hires and promotions Government Relations 9) Members find advantages to virtual format for 2021 Legislative Briefing & Fly-In 13) Government Relations Team moves into new office space on Capitol Hill 17) Prepare for skillful advocacy at your statehouse in 2021 Innovation 18) VTTI research drives safety for next-generation vehicles 24) Pandemic road statistics renew ‘Toward Zero Deaths’ focus 26) ATSSA case studies address merging and special event issues Meetings & Conventions 28) Traffic Control Device Student Challenge keeps theme, skips to 2022 29) Midyear Digital receives positive reviews 31) Convention & Traffic Expo goes fully virtual The Foundation 33) Foundation events extend beyond 2021 Convention 34) Dad’s injuries threatened plans to become teacher 36) New activity book promotes work zone safety Member Engagement 38) Transportation Conversations 41) Chapter Profile: Maintaining connections, even amid a pandemic 44) ATSSA magazine gets a refresh in 2021 TABLE OF CONTENTS 5 9 18 28 33 38 All editorial copy contained in The Signal is written or edited for the publication by the ATSSA staff. Theopinions, beliefs, and viewpoints expressed by the occasional guest authors outside the association who submit articles do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs, and viewpoints of ATSSA or the official policies of ATSSA. Story ideas, comments, suggestions, or letters to the editor should be submitted by email to communications@atssa.com . All advertising inquiries should be directed to Alex Skeete at (540) 623-2615 or alex.skeete@ atssa.com CHAIR Greg Driskell CHAIR-ELECT Jeff Johnson IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR Juan Arvizu PAST CHAIR Debra Ricker BOARD OF DIRECTORS Tim McNelis Michael Granger Sue Willman Kevin Harrison Cecil Brown Mary Beth Klein Larry Boise Doug Dolinar David Preston Scott Marion William Lovewell Kevin Shelton, CPC Representative (Ex Officio) David Krahulec, Foundation President (Ex Officio) Since 1969, the American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA), an international trade association, has represented companies and individuals in the traffic control and roadway safety industries. ATSSA members provide the majority of roadway safety features, services, and materials used on America’s roadways. ATSSA’s more than 1,500 member companies and public agenciesmake our nation’s roadways safer. ATSSA is committed to an environment where roadway safety is always improving. ATSSA is the leader in roadway safety issues, with a heavy emphasis on roadway work zone safety, pavement markings, guardrail, signage, traffic control safety devices, traffic signals unit, and roadway worker training. The Signal is published six times annually for ATSSA’s members. ATSSA is not responsible for the text or visual content of paid advertisements. Contact Us Board of Directors 15 Riverside Parkway Fredericksburg, Va. 22406-1077 Twitter.com/ATSSAHQ Linkedin.com/company/211638 Ph: 540-368-1701 Communications@atssa.com ATSSA.com Flagger.com Editorial & Advertising Facebook.com/atssatraffic Youtube.com/atssawebmaster On the cover: The Virginia Tech Transportation Institute in Blacksburg, Va., conducts real-world testing on next-generation vehicles in a unique setting to further roadway safety. See article, p. 18.