WASHINGTON, DC For nearly two decades, the American Road and Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) has developed a strong reputation for delivering high quality, transportation construction-specific safety and health training and education. During 2015, the demand for these programs reached a new milestone, soaring 35 percent, as ARTBA professional staff and nationally-recognized training consultants provided courses to more than 8,500 industry professionals.

"The demand for our classes has shown continual growth over the years, but this year was remarkable," said Bradley Sant, ARTBA's Senior Vice President for Safety and Education.

Sant attributes the growth of more than 3,000 participants to three things: the fact that the programs are tailored toward addressing safety issues and hazards unique to roadway construction project sites; recommendations spread through word-of-mouth; and the continual introduction of innovative new training materials.

The training offered by ARTBA through its Transportation Development Foundation (TDF) is in demand by large and small contractors, state affiliated associations and government agencies, and local transportation officials. Organizations taking advantage of the safety training included groups as diverse as the Seneca Nation of Indians, the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, and the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Classes were hosted in more than 30 states and territories from New York to California to Puerto Rico and included training in OSHA 10 and 30-hour classes; Certified Flagger; Safe Backing and Spotting; Preventing Runovers and Backovers; Roadway Safety+ - a comprehensive overview of 35 safety topics; and more.

Sant says interest in ARTBA training for 2016 is off to a strong start, with well over 2,000 students already registered. Cookie Leffler, Safety Director for the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT), is among ARTBA-TDF's many satisfied customers.

"I wanted to thank you once again for bringing the Roadway Safety+ course to Mississippi for several MDOT maintenance supervisors, safety officers and engineers," Leffler said. "We have received nothing but positive feedback. The material and resources were found to be outstanding and have already been put to good use in our districts statewide."