By: Tim Gregorski
The American Traffic Safety Services Association’s (ATSSA) 29th Annual Convention and Traffic Expo ’99 will take place in San Antonio, Texas, Feb. 12-16 at the Marriott Rivercenter Hotel (MRH) and the San Antonio Convention Center.
Provided for companies and individuals representing the traffic control business, including suppliers of work-zone traffic control products and services, pavement marking contractors and highway sign manufacturers, activities and events begin on Feb. 12, while the show officially kicks off with the opening general session on Feb. 14.
The convention consists of a variety of workshops and forums. Traffic Expo ’99—carrying the theme “Partners in Safety”—offers the largest display of traffic control equipment and devices in the U.S.
The goal of the convention and exposition is to improve the safety of the motorist, pedestrian and the worker by providing training, advocacy and opportunities for the exchange of information between industry and government.
Traffic Expo ‘99
Traffic Expo ’99 is scheduled for Feb. 15-16 at the San Antonio Convention Center, located directly across the street from the MRH. Approximately 3,200 attendees are expected and 200 exhibitors, including ROADS & BRIDGES, will occupy 468 booth spaces.
“According to the registration, this will be our biggest show to date,” said Keith Griggs, ATSSA president and president of Safety Lights Corp.
“With a record number of square feet for the exhibition, many new products will be on display that haven’t been seen before,” said Griggs. “Additionally with the NCHRP-350 development, a number of new and interesting products will be unveiled on the exhibit floor.”
Opening general session
ATSSA invites attendees to celebrate the association’s accomplishments and honor the achievements of its members at the opening general session with guest speaker by Robert Kriegel, Ph.D., on Sunday, Feb. 14, from 8 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. in the MRH.
“Kriegel struck us {ATSSA} as someone who is exciting and energetic as well as delivering a powerful message to his audience,” said Griggs.
Kriegel, a commentator on National Public Radio’s “Marketplace” program, New York Times best selling author and “one of this country’s leading authorities in the field of change and human performance,” according to U.S. News & World Report, teaches innovative strategies for keeping ahead of the changes, challenges and competition in today’s marketplace.
Kriegel, who has spoken before businesses such as AT&T and IBM, said, “I teach my audiences to be bold, innovative and develop new solutions and new ways of spotting opportunities and possibilities, then create their own, new ideas.”
“Society is on a tread-mill and the tread-mill keeps going faster while its angle is increasing. The ‘game’ of life is constantly changing. In order to succeed, they need to redefine the rules of the ‘game,’ redefine their own role and then reinvent the ‘game,’” said Kriegel.
Workshops
In addition to Traffic Expo ’99, the ATSSA convention offers workshops on all three days of the show for the first time. Beginning on Sunday after the close of the opening general session, attendees are encouraged to participate in the first session that begins at 11 a.m.
“This year, the workshops have a broader theme and include topics that will appeal to everyone in attendance as well as the technical topics,” said Griggs.
The workshops provide the latest information on topics such as performance contracting for pavement markings, designing work-zones, safety audits and roadside safety and ITS. Additionally, business sessions cover employment liability issues, recruiting and retaining qualified workers and legislative topics that will include how to make Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) work in all the states.
A comprehensive list of the workshops catalogued by dates and times is listed below:
Feb. 14, 11 a.m. -12:30 p.m.
TEA-21 How to Make it Work for Safety in Your State; School to Work 201, Industry’s Role in Recruiting and Training the Future Workforce; You Can Wear the Training Pants; Hiring, Placing & Motivating Effective People; Preventive Management: A Guide to Avoiding Employment Liability.
Feb. 15, 8:30 a.m. - 10 a.m.
International Development Banks, the Pan-American Institute of Highways and Privatization’s Role in Improving Roadway Safety in Latin America; How to Increase Signing Opportunities: Legislative and Regulatory Activities; Designing Safer Work Zones; ITS 101-Understanding “ITS” Structure and Applications; Performance Contracting Update; and Weak Post vs. Strong Post—What Gives?
10:15 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
Pavement Marking Public Relations Tools & All Weather Pavement Markings; Traffic Control for Guardrail Maintenance; NCHRP 350-How the DOTs are Implementing the Program; How to Increase Signing Opportunities: New Challenges in the Marketplace; The Impact of NAFTA and MERCOSUR on Improving the Roadway Safety Infrastructure in Latin America; What’s New at the Office of Highway Safety; and Implementing ITS Applications to Increase Your Company’s Bottom Line.
Feb. 16, 8:30 a.m. - 10 a.m.
Seven Habits of Highly Effective People; Red Light Running-How to Make Them Stop; Work-zones Through the Eyes of . . . ; and Innovative Technologies in Europe and Down Under.
Public Officials Forum
The ATSS Foundation invites local, state and federal employees to attend the Public Officials Forum, a seminar created especially for the public official delegates to the ATSSA convention, Tuesday, Feb. 16, 7:30 a.m. - 10 a.m.
The ATSS Foundation exists to promote safety through education. One of its primary goals is to provide educational opportunities for transportation officials, who work each day to optimize the safety of the nation’s highways. The forum provides a home at Traffic Expo ’99 for public officials, giving them a workshop exclusive to their needs to exchange information and network. It is an opportunity to learn how counterparts address the issues affecting transportation agencies today and the issues that lie ahead in the new millennium.
Training information
ATSSA produces and conducts educational and training programs for the industry and users of traffic devices and materials in order to maintain a certification program for work-zone traffic supervisors and pavement marking technicians.
For those attendees wishing to head to San Antonio early and stay late, they may participate in ATSSA’s training information courses and take advantage of several opportunities to expand their knowledge and skills. Aside from the instruction given in a hands-on, multi-media atmosphere, the additional benefits of certification, job safety and increased productivity are attainable.
Slated for Feb. 9 and 11 is Traffic Control Technician. New for 1999, this one-day course applies workable concepts, techniques and practices in the installation and maintenance of traffic control devices. The Feb. 11 course will be conducted entirely in Spanish.
Another course that will be conducted entirely in Spanish is Pavement Marking Technician, on Feb. 10. This course is designed to provide a broad knowledge of pavement marking techniques and safety requirements to the pavement marking industry. It will increase the knowledge and sharpen the skills of personnel who select, design, install and inspect pavement markings. Participants will learn how to apply traffic control designed specifically for pavement marking installation and how to follow safe, efficient application procedures.
Scheduled for Feb. 10-11, Traffic Control Supervisor, formerly known as Worksite Traffic Supervisor, is an advanced training course for supervisors which has been updated and improved to meet the needs of today’s traffic control supervisor and it has been an industry standard for 20 years.
After the conclusion of ATSSA, two more training information courses are scheduled for Feb. 17. Geared specifically for agency inspectors and broadens the coverage of quality control for contractors, the first course, Pavement Marking Inspection, provides the proper quality controls for pavement markings as essential to ensure the critical function are as durable as intended. Assuring quality is the responsibility of both the installer and the agency inspector. This one-day course focuses on the specific needs of agency inspectors and broadens the coverage of quality control for contractors.
The final course offered is Sign Installation Inspection. Also new for 1999, this one-day course is designed for anyone involved with quality control during highway sign installation. The course’s main objective is to train anyone involved with quality control in methods of ensuring highway signs are installed correctly. Additionally, key inspection points from design layout to final installation are covered.
Break out the Lone Star
Aside from Traffic Expo ’99, the workshops, forums and training information, ATSSA has scheduled an authentic west party and other social events for the attendees.
“In addition to the Expo and the workshops, ATSSA has set up social events to get the people out so they can enjoy themselves and even accomplish a little networking,” said Griggs.
ATSSA attendees are invited to throw on their spurs at the Texas party held at the Far West Rodeo Complex. From the Jody Jenkins Band to the mechanical bull to the game area, a good time is to be had by all. Attendees must have a ticket to attend the authentic west party.
For more information on the 29th annual ATSSA Convention and Traffic Expo ’99, contact the American Traffic Safety Service Association, 5440 Jefferson Davis Highway, Fredericksburg, VA 22407; or call 540/898-5400 or fax 540/898-5510.