AASHTO Journal - The 2024 Traffic Control Device Student Challenge Opens

The American Traffic Safety Services Association and the Transportation Research Board Standing Committee on Traffic Control Devices recently invited students nationwide to compete in the 2024 Traffic Control Device or TCD Student Challenge.

[Above photo by ATSSA]

The contest is open to high school, junior college, college and university students or teams of students with an interest in transportation and an understanding of traffic control devices. Students in relevant fields such as transportation and technology-related curricula are particularly encouraged to participate, ATSSA said.

[To learn about the winners of the 2023 TCD Student Challenge, click here.]

As part of the challenge, individuals or student teams submit solutions in the subject area of transportation and roadway safety based on the chosen topic for the year, which this year is “Innovations to Improve the Nighttime Visibility of Traffic Control Devices.”

The association added that the TCD Student Challenge seeks to “promote innovation and stimulates idea” within the industry, with a goal of improving operations and safety as well as encouraging students to pursue careers as roadway safety professionals.

“The TCD Student Challenge provides students an extraordinary opportunity to apply their knowledge and critical thinking skills to a real-world transportation problem and potentially save lives,” said Melodie Matout, ATSSA’s manager of innovation and technical services, in a statement.

“With the nighttime fatality rate on the nation’s roadways being three times higher than the daytime rate and the frequent overnight hours for road work, this topic provides a real-world challenge that directly affects worker safety,” she added. “Students with winning proposals will have the opportunity to get their ideas in front of working professionals, offering them tremendous exposure as they pursue careers in this rewarding field.”

Participants receive the opportunity to present their designs in a public forum during the 2024 TRB Annual Meeting, Jan. 7-11 in Washington, D.C. The top team also wins a $1,500 prize and the opportunity to present its submission at ATSSA’s 54th Annual Convention & Traffic Expo, Feb. 2-6 in San Diego.

The deadline to submit an application is Oct. 1, 2023. To learn more about the challenge, visit ATSSA.com/TCDStudentChallenge.