The American Traffic Safety Services Association

What The American Traffic Safety Services Association does

The American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA) is a private, nonprofit trade association founded in 1969 and headquartered in Fredericksburg, Virginia. It represents the U.S. roadway safety infrastructure industry through a nationwide network of approximately 1,500 member companies and 12,000+ connected professionals, organized through 28 chapters covering 45 states and the District of Columbia. ATSSA's core purpose is to advance roadway safety through training, certification, advocacy, and technical resources for contractors, manufacturers, suppliers, and public agencies involved in temporary traffic control, pavement marking, guardrail installation, pedestrian safety, and related roadway infrastructure disciplines.

ATSSA's product portfolio centers on a proprietary training and certification ecosystem delivered through the Learning.ATSSA.com learning management system and in-person instruction. The association offers 12+ professional certification designations — including Flagger, Traffic Control Technician (TCT), Traffic Control Supervisor (TCS), Pavement Marking Technician (PMT), Guardrail Installer (GI), and Truck-Mounted Attenuator Operator (TMA), among others — each valid for up to four years. Training content covers flagger operations, temporary traffic control, guardrail and barrier installation, pavement markings, pedestrian safety, traffic signing, and traffic signal systems, with state-specific courses for California, Louisiana, Texas, Virginia, Washington, Florida, and Massachusetts. Supporting the training are searchable certified professional and flagger verification databases, a Corporate Training Program enabling approved partners to deliver in-house instruction, and grant-funded training delivered in partnership with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) under recurring multi-year awards (most recently Grant #693JJ32450006 in 2023).

ATSSA generates revenue through four primary streams: recurring membership dues from companies and individual professionals; training and certification fees (course fees, certification application fees, and per-student royalties from Corporate Training Program partners); events revenue from registration, sponsorship, and exhibit sales at the Annual Convention & Traffic Expo, Midyear Meeting, and Legislative Briefing & Fly-In; and one-time product sales of handbooks, guides, and ATSSA-branded merchandise. The association's distribution spans the atssa.com website, the Learning.ATSSA.com platform, a network of ATSSA-trained instructors across the U.S., 28 regional chapters, and major industry events. Pricing is not publicly disclosed. ATSSA operates the ATSS Foundation as its charitable arm for scholarships and fallen worker memorials, and maintains no parent company or external equity backing.

Name

The American Traffic Safety Services Association

Legal name

American Traffic Safety Services Association

Website

https://atssa.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1969

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA) is a nonprofit trade association, founded in 1969, that delivers training, certification, and advocacy for the U.S. roadway safety infrastructure industry, serving 1,500 member companies and 12,000+ professionals across 28 chapters.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Roadway Safety Training & Certification

NAICS

Other Technical and Trade Schools (611519), Technical and Trade Schools (6115)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Safety, Compliance & Regulatory (OSHA/HSE/GxP) Certifications (EDAAANAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Environmental, Health & Safety / Sustainability (EHS, Environmental Compliance CE) (EDAAALAO)

Keywords

• Roadway safety training
• Work zone safety
• Traffic control certification
• Flagger certification
• Transportation infrastructure

Headquarters

HQ city

Fredericksburg

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: ATSSA operates as a membership-based trade association. Companies and individuals join to access training, certification, advocacy, networking, and member-only resources. The association represents a nationwide network of 1,500 companies and connects more than 12,000 road safety infrastructure professionals.
2. Training & Certification Programs: ATSSA generates revenue through training course fees, certification application fees, and the Corporate Training Program which requires approved instructors to pay royalties per student trained. Training is delivered online, in-person, and through the Corporate Training Program (CTP) partner categories including Corporate Training Partner, Chapter Training Partner, and Training Partner.
3. Events & Conventions: ATSSA hosts major annual events including the Convention & Traffic Expo (57th in 2027), Midyear Meeting, and Legislative Briefing & Fly-In, generating revenue through registration fees, sponsorship sales, and exhibit space sales.
4. Training Materials & Product Sales: ATSSA operates an online shop selling roadway safety products, handbooks, guides, and ATSSA-branded merchandise. Products include the Flagger Handbook, Quality Guidelines, TTC Guide, MUTCD 11th Edition, Virginia Work Zone Safety Materials, and Flagger Kits.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

ATSSA is a private nonprofit trade association that delivers nationally recognized training courses, professional certification programs, and industry publications to the U.S. roadway safety infrastructure industry. Its offerings span work zone safety, flagger operations, temporary traffic control, pavement markings, guardrail/barrier installation, pedestrian safety, signs, and traffic signals, complemented by advocacy, technical resources, a corporate training partner program, and major industry events.

Product overview

ATSSA operates as a professional association offering a comprehensive suite of training, certification, and resources for the roadway safety infrastructure industry. The portfolio centers on training courses (Flagger Certification, Traffic Control Technician, Traffic Control Supervisor, Guardrail, Pavement Markings, Pedestrian Safety, Signs, and Traffic Signals) delivered through the Learning.ATSSA.com platform with online, virtual, on-demand and in-person options. Supporting the training are certification programs (CPSP, Flagger, FIT, GI, PMI, PMT, TCDS, TCS, TCT, TST, TMA) valid for four years, the Corporate Training Program for in-house company training, and grant-funded training through FHWA. ATSSA also provides publications (Flagger Handbook, Quality Guidelines, TTC Guide, MUTCD, Work Zone Safety guides), member services (Directory, Find a Certified Professional, Flagger Verification), advocacy events (Legislative Briefing & Fly-In), leadership development (Roadway Safety Leadership Academy), and hosts major events (Convention & Traffic Expo, Midyear Meeting). The organization serves over 12,000 road safety infrastructure professionals across 1,500 member companies through 28 chapters.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Flagger Certification Course Nationally compliant flagger training providing real-world preparation for work zone safety, available online and in-person with certification upon completion.
• Traffic Control Technician (TCT) Course Introduction to temporary traffic control in work zones for field workers installing and removing traffic control devices, covering concepts, techniques, and practice exercises.
• Traffic Control Supervisor (TCS) Course Advanced training for designing, setting up, and maintaining temporary traffic control in work zones, building on TCT course content to cover implementation of traffic control plans.
• Guardrail and Barrier Courses Training addressing performance, design, and installation considerations of guardrail components, common errors, and inspection of finished work.
• Pavement Markings Courses Training to increase knowledge and skills for agency and contractor personnel responsible for selection, installation, and inspection of pavement markings.
• Pedestrian Safety Courses Training ensuring continuity and consistency of pedestrian and traffic management services for individuals managing pedestrian traffic on public streets.
• Signs Courses Training covering fundamentals of traffic signing and the role of sign technicians for employees responsible for installation, location, and determination of appropriate roadway signing.
• Traffic Signals Courses Foundational course for engineering and planning professionals covering traffic flow, signal components, timing, safety, analysis tools, data, and capacity for traffic signal systems.
• Certification Programs Suite of certification designations including Certified Pedestrian Safety Professional (CPSP), Flagger, Flagger Instructor Training (FIT), Guardrail Installer (GI), Pavement Marking Inspector (PMI), Pavement Marking Technician (PMT), Traffic Control Design Specialist (TCDS), Traffic Control Supervisor (TCS), Traffic Control Technician (TCT), Traffic Sign Technician (TST), and Truck-Mounted Attenuator (TMA). Certifications are valid for up to four years.
• ATSSA Training Platform (Learning.ATSSA.com) Centralized online platform providing access to ATSSA training courses, certificates, CEU tracking, and personal dashboards, supporting virtual, online, on-demand, and in-person training delivery.
• Corporate Training Program (CTP) Program enabling approved member companies (Corporate Training Partners, Chapter Training Partners, Training Partners like LTAPs and AGCs) to deliver ATSSA-quality roadway safety training in-house via Train-the-Trainer sessions and royalty arrangements per student trained.
• Work Zone Safety Grant Training FHWA-funded training program offering courses at reduced cost and providing free technical guidelines and products (Grant #693JJ32450006), with approximately 80,000 workers trained.
• Flagger Handbook Reference publication assisting flaggers in understanding their duties to protect project personnel and provide safe, courteous direction for work zone traffic.
• Quality Guidelines for Temporary Traffic Control Devices Pocket-size handbook helping contractors ensure traffic control devices meet acceptable standards outlined in plans and specifications.
• A Guide to Temporary Traffic Control in Work Zones (TTC Guide) Publication presenting basic standards for temporary traffic control in work zones, available in National English and Spanish, and state-specific versions for California, Louisiana, and Texas.
• MUTCD 11th Edition The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, 11th Edition, the standard reference for traffic control devices, released in January 2024.
• Member Directory Online searchable directory of ATSSA member companies accessible 24/7 to firm and individual members and employees of member firms.
• Find a Certified Professional Searchable database allowing agencies and employers to find certified roadway safety professionals for hire and verify certification status.
• Flagger Verification Search Searchable database to verify certified flaggers by flagger number or last name, including serial number requirements for cards issued after January 1, 2022.
• Convention & Traffic Expo ATSSA's annual premier event for roadway safety and transportation professionals featuring product rollouts, networking, committee meetings, and industry exhibitions.
• Midyear Meeting Annual meeting featuring committee and council meetings, industry issue discussions, and tabletop exhibits held in various U.S. locations.
• Legislative Briefing & Fly-In Annual event in Washington D.C. for members to interact with policymakers, congressional staff, and DOT officials on federal policy issues impacting roadway safety infrastructure.
• Roadway Safety Leadership Academy 8-part leadership program spanning nine months designed to develop the next generation of roadway safety leaders through industry knowledge, business management, and strategic leadership training.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 80,000 workers trained through FHWA grant-funded programs
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023FHWA has awarded ATSSA multi-year grants for roadway safety training in 2006, 2011, 2013, 2016, and 2023 (FHWA Work Zone Safety Grant #693JJ32450006). Approximately 80,000 workers have participated in ATSSA grant-funded training courses. The grants enable ATSSA to offer courses at reduced cost and provide free technical guidelines and products.
• FHWA, NCUTCD, TF13, IMSAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerATSSA's Innovation & Technical Services (ITS) team partners with FHWA, the National Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (NCUTCD), TF13, and IMSA to drive advancements in roadway safety by providing cutting-edge technical expertise, ensuring ATSSA remains at the forefront of emerging trends and technologies and evolving safety regulations.
• Transportation Construction CoalitionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerATSSA joined the Transportation Construction Coalition's national push to shape and strengthen America's transportation future, advocating for roadway safety infrastructure policies and funding.
• Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerATSSA cooperates with VDOT to sell Virginia Work Zone Safety Materials, a set of products specifically developed for Virginia DOT projects. This is a product-specific partnership for the sale of state-specific training and safety materials.
• State Departments of Transportation (50 states)coreOthersAll 50 state DOTs recognize or require ATSSA training and certification programs for work zone safety on state projects. Many states have state-specific courses and requirements coordinated through ATSSA. States include Virginia (ATSSA Flagger Cert required Dec 31, 2024), California, Louisiana, Texas, Florida, Massachusetts, Washington, and more.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• American Concrete Pavement Association (ACPA): ACPA is a U.S. trade association for the concrete pavement industry, paralleling ATSSA's role for roadway safety infrastructure. It shares the trade-association business model, chapter network, and government advocacy focus, though it is material-specific rather than safety-specific.
• National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA): NAPA is a U.S. trade association for the asphalt pavement industry, with overlapping members (highway contractors and material suppliers) and a similar member-dues-plus-events revenue model. It is comparable to ATSSA in business structure and target audience though focused on materials rather than safety devices.

Broad incumbents

• American Automobile Association (AAA): AAA is a broad membership association with significant roadway safety advocacy and public-awareness programs (e.g., work zone awareness). It overlaps with ATSSA in the public-facing side of roadway safety awareness campaigns, though its core business is consumer roadside and insurance services.
• National Safety Council (NSC): NSC is a broad workplace and roadway safety organization offering training, certification, and advocacy across many industries. It is comparable to ATSSA as a peer safety training and certification body with overlapping flagger/work zone safety curricula and federal/state DOT recognition.
• Associated General Contractors of America (AGC): AGC is a large general contractor trade association with chapters nationwide, a member-based model, and substantial training and certification programs for construction trades. It overlaps with ATSSA in serving highway and infrastructure contractors and competes for member mindshare on training investments.
• American Road and Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA): ARTBA is a broader transportation construction trade association representing contractors, equipment manufacturers, and planning/design firms. It is comparable to ATSSA as a peer industry association serving the U.S. transportation infrastructure market with advocacy, events, and training, though it covers the full build cycle rather than specializing in roadway safety.

Emerging players

• RoadSafe Traffic Systems: RoadSafe is a private national provider of traffic control services, pavement marking, and signage that purchases ATSSA-style training for its workforce. It is comparable as a downstream industry participant whose training and certification needs reflect the same roadway safety market ATSSA serves.

Direct peers

• Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE): ITE is an international professional association for transportation professionals that provides training, certification, and standards in traffic engineering, including work zone safety. It is comparable to ATSSA in serving the roadway safety profession with technical training and professional development offerings.
• International Municipal Signal Association (IMSA): IMSA is a peer membership association that certifies and trains public-agency and contractor personnel in traffic signals, street lighting, and related work zone devices. It is directly comparable to ATSSA's traffic signals and work zone training portfolio, with overlapping state DOT customers and a similar certification-based model.

Others

• Transportation Research Board (TRB): TRB is a program unit of the National Academies that convenes transportation researchers and practitioners and disseminates research, including work zone safety. It is adjacent to ATSSA as a knowledge and standards-setting ecosystem participant rather than a direct training competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/atssahq
• YouTubeyoutube.com/atssavideos
• Facebookfacebook.com/atssasafety
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/atssa
• Instagraminstagram.com/atssasafety

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The American Traffic Safety Services Association