Fredericksburg, Va. – The American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA) has awarded 70 transportation officials throughout the country with scholarships to attend its 45th Annual

Convention & Traffic Expo at the Tampa Convention Center in Tampa, Fla., February 6-10, 2015.  The Transportation Official Scholarships are valued up to $1,500 and include the expense of round-trip airfare, hotel accommodations, meals and registration that allow the individuals to participate in the entire schedule of convention and trade show events.

“It’s important to the exhibitors to have the decision makers present at Traffic Expo,” said Melanie McKee, director of meetings & conventions.  “The trade show floor is where they can meet with nearly 200 exhibitors face-to-face and learn about their products.  There is no better forum in North America for the roadway safety industry than ATSSA’s Convention & Traffic Expo for transportation officials and our exhibitors.”

The Transportation Official Scholarship program was implemented after members of ATSSA’s Manufacturers & Suppliers Committee suggested the creation of the program to help bring the transportation agency employees to the convention.  The program debuted in 2009 when 30 scholarships, each valued up to $1,200, were awarded.  The scholarships increased in value to $1,500 the second year of the program.

ATSSA offers the Transportation Official Scholarships to the voting members of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) on its Highway Safety Committee, the Highway Subcommittee on Traffic Engineering, the Subcommittee on Safety Management, the National Transportation Product Evaluation Program (NTPEP) Project Panel Chairs and the Subcommittee on Maintenance (a new addition in 2015).

“There is a true passion for making a difference that makes you want to participate and be an active part of ATSSA,” said Neil Boudreau, director of traffic & safety/state traffic engineer for the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT)-Highway Division in Boston, Mass.  “ATSSA brings all of my work experience and responsibilities together in one organization.  The ATSSA membership is diverse in that it brings industry manufacturers and practitioners, research specialists, consultants, safety advocacy groups and local, state and federal government together.

The training and technical support documents that ATSSA develops for its members and the public are prepared with a focus on all aspects of the transportation industry.  This helps give the work done by ATSSA and its committees credibility and demonstrates a commitment to the safety of the public and those working on our roadways.  Each member is united in the goal of providing for safer infrastructure and work zones to all road users.”

ATSSA’s 45th Annual Convention & Traffic Expo expects 3,000 attendees from 44 countries to view 500 exhibit booths from nearly 200 companies.  Traffic Expo, which is North America’s largest trade show for roadway safety products and services, will encompass nearly 200,000-square-feet of exhibit hall space at the Tampa Convention Center, showcasing cutting-edge traffic safety solutions and every product and service available in the roadway industry.  For more information about ATSSA’s Annual Convention & Traffic Expo, visit www.atssa.com or call ATSSA at (540) 368-1701.