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| We have testified on numerous issues involving permanent or work zone (maintenance / construction) traffic control. Having contributed to the two most important Traffic Engineering publications in the country, the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices and the Traffic Control Devices Handbook, we have a unique posture in the field of traffic engineering.
In addition, the Federal Highway Administration has a certification/testing program for design and application of work zone traffic control, which we have successfully completed. Also, we are a member of the Transportation Research Board and have been a part of the "Traffic Control Devices" committee, and are currently part of the National Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (which writes both Federal and State Standards for Traffic Control Devices, including the new Caltrans Traffic Manual). (See "Traffic & Transportation Engineering" in our "Specialty" section.) |
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| There are many facets to Accident Reconstruction. In almost every accident analysis, even those that seem to be exclusively traffic/civil or transportation engineering related, it is necessary to analyze some components of accident reconstruction to support a causation or lack of causation theory. Over the years we have used various methods of providing the formulas and results for the calculations necessary to "reconstruct" the accident. Today, we frequently use one of the most popular methods today, the PC-Crash program, which uses momentum based equations to calculate the various interactions between the involved vehicles/pedestrian. (See "Accident Reconstruction & Simulation" in our "Specialty" section.) |
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| Prior to the 1960's and up through the 1980's, most civil, traffic, and transportation engineers were trained to perform their surveying as part of the design, construction, and building of structures, roads and bridges. For the most part, there were few separate survey organizations that provided surveying for engineering works, particularly roads. And even today, Registered Professional Civil Engineering |
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is the only engineering discipline allowed by law to survey, establish, or re-establish lines and grades that are part of their design or construction. Civil (or traffic / transportation engineers with a Civil Registration) |
| is the only engineering discipline that has that legal authority.In the 1990's, we took part in a revolution in surveying when technology was developed to record point data in a survey without a "prism" or target. Transport vehicles were produced that could carry the survey instrument in a "turret." At the same time, the US government, through various branches, including the US Geodetic & Coast Survey service was developing a revolutionary concept in surveys. They were using photogrammetric aircraft concepts and adapting it to a land based surveying instrument. And, the organizations in the private sector were working throughout the world on this new concept in "Third Dimensional Imaging." As a culmination of these efforts, what is now considered the ultimate survey instrument, the Leica ScanStation was born. (See "High Definition 3-D and Total Station Surveying" on our AccidentSurveys.com website.) |
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| Our firm has a significant advantage in providing deposition, trial and discovery information to the attorney. All of our engineers have extensive experience in several state department of transportation's and have helped to defend them in numerous litigation matters. Robert Douglas has been active in deposition, trial and discovery preparation since 1987, when he was Arizona Department of Transportation Forensic Engineer. There he worked with the State Attorney General's office in laying out the defense for tort trials against the deparment. After coming to California, he maintained an interface with Caltran's legal counsel until leaving Caltrans in 1994 to pursue full time litigation support for plaintiff and defense.
After participating in defense trials for several years, in 2002 he was asked to provide consultation for a plaintiff case, and played a lead role in discovery, deposition and trial preparation. He was present throughout this extensive defective road case, and took part in every part of the process including preparation of exhibits, witness lists, exhibit lists, motions in limine, opening statements, trial examination and cross examination and closing arguments. As such, he has a unique perspective of the process and can capably assist in many facets of the litigation process. Depositions are a unique part of the tort litigation process. After many years of depositions, we can not only assist in providing questions for your deponents, we feel comfortable in being prepared to answer questions while being deposed. Below are a few "out-takes" from a recently videotaped deposition. |
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