News

JMMA teams with Centrovial for the design of Bogota’s (Colombia) Traffic Safety Management Center.  JMMA has Colombia traffic.JPGjoined forces the Colombia’s Centrovial to design Colombia’s first Traffic Safety Management Center. The project, sponsored by the World Bank, will run through the end of 2008. JMMA’s Juan M. Morales is serving as Project Director.

JMMA’s Juan M. Morales presents Traffic Control Design Specialist Course.  For the American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA), JMMA presented this successful course to CH2M-Hill, in Chantilly, VA, March 11-12. The course, intended for work zone designers, discussed the standards and guidelines included in VDOT’s Work Area Protection Manual.

JMMA’s Juan M. Morales makes presentation at ATSSA’s Traffic Expo, New Orleans, LA.  Juan M. Morales presented “Safe Procedures for the Installation of Lane Closures” to attendees of ATSSA’s 38th Annual Convention, held in New Orleans, LA, February 10-12, 2008. The presentation discussed the basics of lane closures and provided tips to make their design, installation and removal safer.

JMMA actively participating in FHWA Work Zone Safety Grant. The American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA) was awarded a four-year, $11.9 million grant from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) on Sept. 2006 to provide roadway safety training nationwide for workers and others who make their livelihood on America’s roadways. JMMA is ATSSA's partner for this effort and will be both developing and presenting training programs under this grant.  The training component of the grant is comprised of a wide variety of courses that includes training for traffic control technicians, traffic control supervisors, designers, roadway flaggers, emergency responders (police, fire, EMS and towing), and utility workers. Recipients of the training will be state and local public officials, contractors and others.  Click here to see the press release.  JMMA's Juan M. Morales is serving as Area 1 Leader, responsible for developing of eight courses under the Grant. For more details visit the ATSSA website by clicking here. Also, for a copy of the latest Grant Newsletter, click here.

ATSSA's Flagger Course available in PowerPoint! JMMA now sells the 4-hour flagger course utilized by flagger instructors certified by the American Traffic Safety Service Association. The illustrated PowerPoint course, available in both English and Spanish, can be used by ATSSA flagger instructors in presenting the ATSSA flagger course. It follows the ATSSA-approved course exactly and it includes the ATSSA flagger video in movie-clip format. A CD is available for $400 (check only please, payable to JM Morales & Associates). Contact JMMA for additional information.

JMMA presents successful Traffic Control Design Specialist Courses in Sacramento, CA and Albuquerque, NM. Working for the American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA), JMMA presented very successful 2-day courses in Sacramento, California, and Albuquerque, New Mexico. The courses included design considerations when designing work zones, particularly those of short duration and at night. Additional courses have been scheduled for the Virginia Department of Transportation.

JMMA's Juan M. Morales named ATSSA's Chief Instructor.   Juan M. Morales has been named the new chief instructor of the Roadway Safety Training Institute of the American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA). His appointment began on Jan. 2006. Mr. Morales replaces Vic Liebe, ATSSA’s previous chief instructor, who recently retired after 20 years of faithful service. For the ATSSA announcement, see the Fall Edition of The Signal by clicking here. See page 14.

JMMA expanding its work zone expert witness activities. JMMA is expanding its work zone expert witness activities. JMMA's services include work zone crash evaluation and analysis, check for compliance with applicable standards and guidelines, and preparation of findings' report. Contact JMMA for additional information.

JMMA presenting "Designing and Operating Intersections for Safety" courses. JMMA has been selected by PerfomTech to assist them in the presentation of this important course for the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the National Highway Institute (NHI). The course looks at all elements of intersection safety, including diagnostics and safety countermeasures. The first four courses were presented in Phoenix, AZ, Baton Rouge, LA, Trenton, NJ and Jefferson City, MO, and San Juan, PR, and Columbus, OH.

JMMA developing MUTCD in Spanish. Due to multiple requests, JMMA is developing a Spanish version of part 6 of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (Spanish MUTCD). The Spanish MUTCD can be used by Latin American countries wishing to develop or enhance their work zone standards and guidelines, or by US companies wishing to educate their Hispanic work force on the proper work zone standards and guidelines. Contact JMMA for details.

JMMA evaluating intersection in Bogotá, Colombia. JMMA's Juan M. Morales traveled to Bogotá, Colombia to evaluate an intersection and make recommendations to improve its safety. The signalized intersection, AC 80 and Autopista Norte (see photo below), has a severe slope which makes it non-compliant with local standards, and thus has not opened to traffic.  Mr. Morales made recommendations to IDU (Instituto de Desarrollo Urbano) to improve both its geometric design and operational aspects. A recommendations report was produced.

JMMA presents Emergency Traffic Control (ETC) courses for South Carolina Department of Transportation. The ETC course is aimed at making emergency responders aware of new standards and procedures for controlling traffic during highway incidents. The courses were presented in Columbia, SC.

JMMA's Juan M. Morales quoted in June 2005 Occupational Health and Safety Magazine. Comments from Mr. Morales regarding the implementation of section 6I of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), which provides traffic control guidelines to emergency responders, appeared in the June 2005 issue. Click here to read article.

JMMA evaluating work zone traffic control standards in Colombia. Working for the World Bank, JMMA is currently evaluating temporary traffic control standards in Colombia, to improve traffic safety during the third phase of the Transmilenio system.  A recommendation report was produced and courses were presented in Bogotá, June 20-24, 2005.

 

 JMMA’s Juan M. Morales makes presentation at ATSSA’s Traffic Expo, New Orleans, LA.  Juan M. Morales presented “Safe Procedures for the Installation of Lane Closures” to attendees of ATSSA’s 38th Annual Convention, held in New Orleans, LA, February 10-12, 2008. The presentation discussed the basics of lane closures and provided tips to make their design, installation and removal safer.

JMMA’s to develop Transportation Management Plans (TMP). All state and local governments that receive federal-aid funding are required to comply with the provisions of the Work Zone Safety and Mobility Rule by October 12, 2007, including developing Transportation Management Plans (TMP). A TMP lays out a set of coordinated transportation management strategies and describes how they will be used to manage the work zone impacts of a road project. Transportation management strategies for a work zone include temporary traffic control measures and devices, public information and outreach, and operational strategies such as travel demand management, signal retiming, and traffic incident management. JMMA is prepared and experienced in the development of TMPs, particularly in the area of traffic simulation (CORSIM, QuickZone) and traffic impact analysis.

 

 

JMMA develops Work Zone Traffic Control Course for Law Enforcement Officers. A severe crash in Jackson, TN in 2000 prompted the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to recommend training for police officers assisting in work zones (See NTSB report by clicking here). JMMA is working with the American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA) for SAIC to develop this course for FHWA. The course will discuss standards and procedures, work zone terminology, and patrol car positioning. A Pocket Guide was also developed.

JMMA develops two publications for the American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA). JMMA recently completed two publications for ATSSA: Portable Changeable Message Sign (PCMS) Handbook and Basic Traffic Control for Utility Operations. Both are designed to be field references for traffic control personnel. Both are available from ATSSA.

 

JMMA to present Work Zone Design Course for Maryland State Highway Administration (MD SHA).  Working for the University of Maryland Transportation Technology Center, JMMA presented a 3-day course aimed at Maintenance of Traffic (MOT) designers who work for MD SHA, in College Park, MD. Additional courses will be presented in 2008. Click here to visit their website.

 

 

JMMA develops Emergency Traffic Control (ETC) Course for Police and Fire Rescue Personnel. The 2003 Edition of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices includes chapter 6I, dedicated to ETC. This 8-hour course is aimed at increasing the awareness of police and fire rescue of the importance of proper ETC procedures. JMMA developed the course for ATSSA. JMMA also developed a Pocket Guide to accompany the course.

 

 

JMMA developing Puerto Rico MUTCD in Spanish. JMMA has been awarded a contract with the PR DTOP to provide traffic engineering services. Work includes updating the Puerto Rico Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) to reflect the 2003 Edition of the MUTCD. The Manual will be written in Spanish (Spanish MUTCD).

 

 

JMMA conducts TDA DESK STUDY for the Sao Paulo Inner Beltway in Brazil. Working for the US Trade Development Agency (TDA), JMMA conducted a Desk Study to evaluate work done in this important highway in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

 


JMMA completes DEFINITIONAL MISSION for Panama City, Panama traffic signal system. Working for Transportation and Economic Research Associates, Inc. (TERA), JMMA completed a DEFINITIONAL MISSION study for a traffic signal system in Panama City.  The study was sponsored by the US Trade Development Agency.

JMMA develops training course for Nighttime Work Zones.  Working for the American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA), JMMA has developed a one-day course covering safety standards and guidelines for nighttime temporary traffic control.

JMMA's Juan M. Morales presents Work Zone Safety Seminar during Work Zone Awareness Week. Mr. Morales presented this seminar, hosted by the Anne Arundel County (MD) Bureau of Highways on Tuesday April 3, 2007 in Annapolis, MD. Two sessions were held, one from 8AM to 11 AM and the other from noon to 3 PM.  The seminar covered topics related to the safe operation of work zones from the perspective of the worker, the motorists and enforcement.   Topics included an overview of work zones, their design and operation, driver education and enforcement techniques.  The seminar was held in conjunction with the eighth annual National Work Zone Awareness Week, which took place April 2 – 6.   To see the press release, click here.

 

 

JMMA's Juan M. Morales featured in ATSSA's Signal. Mr. Morales is featured in the Spring 2004 Edition of Signal, a periodic publication of the American Traffic Safety Services Association. Please download the file and refer to page 4.

JMMA completes development of temporary traffic control (TTC) courses for the Florida Department of Transportation.  For the American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA), JMMA completed the development of  three TTC courses: 1) Basic, 2) Intermediate) Advanced. The courses will be Florida-specific and will cover all the Florida TTC Standards, in addition to Part 6 of the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).  The courses are updated to the meet the 2004 Edition of the Florida Design Standards.

JMMA's Juan M. Morales participates in Emergency Traffic Control Webminar. Mr. Morales participated in the ATSSA webminar "New Developments in Emergency Traffic Control: MUTCD Section 6I - Incident Management - What it May Mean for You". This webinar focused on the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) Section 6I - Incident Management and NFPA Standards 1500 and 1561. Participants learned what the new guidelines may mean for members of the emergency response and roadway safety communities.

JMMA presents two "Traffic Control Design Specialist (TCDS)" courses in Louisiana. Mr. Morales presented these courses in Alexandria, LA and Baton Rouge, LA, April 19-20 and May 16-17 respectively.

ATSSA publishes Emergency Traffic Control for First Responders, written by JMMA.  The American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA) has published this field guide, aimed at first responders arriving at a traffic accident scene. The guide discusses the role of responders as it relates to traffic control, and the applicable standards and procedures. The guide was written by Juan M. Morales, P.E., of JMMA.  Contact ATSSA for details.

JMMA's Juan M. Morales presents course at Colombian Engineering School, Bogotá, Colombia. Mr. Morales presented temporary traffic control course at the Escuela Colombiana de Ingeniería, June 27-28, in Bogotá, Colombia. The course was attended by representatives from Cali, Medellín, Cartagena, Bucaramanga and other Colombian cities.