Volume 1 Issue 1
Thank You to all who attend and participate in Task Force 13 meetings and events. Your participation is the lifeblood of our organization and we sincerely Thank You. We know getting to the meetings can sometimes be challenging. Below is our effort to keep you informed of what’s happening in our meetings, events and industry. We hope to provide this update bi-yearly following our events at minimum and update as needed when additional information arises. Thank You to the Task Force 13 Marketing Team for putting this detailed list together for our first official marketing update on the new Task Force 13 website.
TF-13 met in College Station, TX this past fall. There were 59 attendees in person and others who attended on-line.
Renewed AASHTO Memo of Understanding
AASHTO has renewed TF13’s Memo of Understanding (MOU) for 5 years. The MOU is the formal agreement between AASHTO and TF13 stating their shared goals:
o Facilitate communication on roadside safety hardware between DOTs & industry
o Establish effective communication between agencies and support technical guidance
o Encourage collaboration on roadside safety initiatives
o Have cross organizational participation of meetings
o Foster communication on technical & policy issues between organizations
o Promote use of common guide & software
o Seek new updates to guides and technical publications & software
Subcommittee #7 – Test Facilities (Featured committee)
o This committee is key to maintaining and improving consistency and quality of crash test methods and measurement results between test laboratories. It’s mission was brought about by FHWA requiring crash test laboratories to become accredited by a third-party accreditation organization conforming to the general requirements of ISO Guide 58.
o Hot topic:
508 Compliance. New FHWA letter requests will need to be submitted in accordance with Section 508. Section 508 is part of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, updates were made to the act in 2017 strengthening it, which included what FWHA produces on its website. The 508 standards and guidelines ensure that information and communications covered by Section 508 are accessible to all, including those individuals with disabilities. 508 Compliance | What is Section 508? | Be Inclusive! (508-compliance.org)
o The next planned Inter-laboratory Comparison (ILC) was discussed amongst the laboratories. This ILC will target laboratory measurements of impact speed and angle. The necessary documentation will be sent to the participating laboratories, and Safe Technologies, LLC. will compile the results.
New Crash Testing Lab
o PMG Technologies has received its ISO 17025 accreditation. The contact person is Alain Bussières, President, abussieres@pmgtest.com.
Member Changes
o In memorial:
Tim Mortenson from E-Tech
https://greenvalleymortuary.com/obituaries/timothy-mortensen
Retirements – in 2022
Joe Hall PE – WV DOT Div of HW, Traffic Engineering Div.
Roy Riedl – VP Sales & marketing at Highway Safety Corp
W. Patric Gregory – CEO at Highway Safety Corp
Frank Luszcz – President at Highway Safety Corp
Dr. Dean Sicking – The University of Alabama
Job changes – in 2022
Hassan Raza P.E. – is now the Assistant District Engineer, construction / maintenance Nevada DOT
Joe Ford – is now Chief Executive Officer Chief Executive Officer Dark Star Management, LLC
Gary Lallo, P.E. is now President at Highway Safety Corp
Gerrit Dyke – is now with Lindsay Transportation
Eric Smith – is now with Hill & Smith
(If you know of any members whose job status has changed, please let us know)
Plea for volunteers for various subjects
o Looking for new subcommittee Co chairs
Publications Maintenance
Delineation Work Zones Systems
Bridge Railings
Upcoming Roadside Safety Hardware conferences:
o TF13 Spring Meeting, Lincoln, Nebraska April 26-28, 2023.
o AASHTO Spring Meeting – Seattle, Washington May 15-18, 2023.
o TRB AKD20 Summer Meeting, Atlanta, Georgia July 30-August 4, 2023.
o ATSSA Mid-year Meeting, Chicago, Illinois August 15-18, 2023.
Next Task Force 13 Meeting is schedule for April 26-28, 2023 in Lincoln, NE.
Contact the Task Force 13 Marketing Team at Rick Mauer – Rmauer@GregoryHighway.com