The American Road and Transportation Builders Association Transportation Development Foundation (ARTBA-TDF) will host its 2009 "National Traffic Management and Work Zone Safety Conference" in conjunction with the 2009 World of Asphalt Show & Conference, March 9-12 in Orlando, Florida.

The announcement comes following an agreement between ARTBA-TDF and the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) and the National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA), which are World of Asphalt co-owners.

ARTBA organized the first work zone safety conference in 1985 and has subsequently hosted seven additional national and international events. In 2007, the highly-acclaimed conference was renamed and offered under the auspices of the "National Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse," a project administered by ARTBA-TDF. The Clearinghouse, based at the Texas Transportation Institute, is the nation's largest information resource on roadway work safety issues.

"We are pleased to join forces with AEM and NAPA to add the work zone and traffic management conference to the successful World of Asphalt program of events," ARTBA President and CEO Pete Ruane said. "It is a 'win-win' proposition for both the organizers and attendees and will provide a unique educational experience for anyone involved in the roadway construction industry."

In addition to hosting the conference, ARTBA-TDF will organize a "traffic management and safety pavilion" in the World of Asphalt exhibit hall and offer U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) safety training sessions.