When
May 10, 2023
Time
8:15AM - 4:00PM
Contact Hours
6.8
Location
University of Virginia
School of Continuing and Professional Studies
Zehmer Hall
104 Midmont Lane
Charlottesville, VA 22903
Description
This road safety workshop provides an overview of the legal duties and responsibilities of roadway personnel. The overall goal of the class is to use the lessons learned from tort claims filed against road agencies to develop countermeasures to enhance traffic safety and reduce crashes. Key legal concepts relating to the liability of roadway agencies are reviewed from a risk management standpoint. Common types of claims/lawsuits brought against street departments and roadway agencies are identified through examples/case studies. Examples include traffic control devices, work zones, roadway and shoulder surface conditions, sight distance, drainage, vegetation management and pedestrian incidents. Risk management principles, aimed at: (1) reducing/preventing crashes and claims and (2) helping agencies defend claims, are highlighted. Practical risk management activities are identified.
Agenda
LEARNING MODULES:
MODULE 1: Introduction—What Is a Tort and How Does it Relate to Road Safety?
MODULE 2: Duties of Road Agencies and Related Concepts
MODULE 3: Elements of a Tort Claim
MODULE 4: Defenses toTort Liability
MODULE 5: Agency and Employee Liability
MODULE 6: Tort Claims Process
MODULE 7: Examples of Common Tort Claims
MODULE 8: Principles of Risk Management to Reduce and Prevent Crashes
MODULE 9: Specific Measures to Reduce the Risk of Liability
MODULE 10: Case Studies—Traffic Safety Lessons Learned from Actual Tort Claims (including hazard trees, intersection traffic control, roadway drainage, roadside safety, temporary traffic control and crosswalks)
Instructor
Ronald W. Eck
Dr. Ronald W. Eck, P.E., Professor Emeritus of Civil Engineering at West Virginia University is a Senior Advisor with the West Virginia Local Technical Assistance Program (WV LTAP). He has been involved in traffic engineering, including pedestrian transportation, for over 35 years. He is a member of the Pedestrian Committee of the Transportation Research Board. He authored the chapter on Pedestrians in McGraw-Hill’s Handbook of Transportation Engineering. He facilitates walkability audits and Walkable Communities Workshops for communities in West Virginia.
Who Should Attend
This workshop should be of interest to state and local roadway engineers and technicians (involved in design, construction, traffic operations, and maintenance), public works directors, roadway maintenance supervisors, and elected officials. The session will be beneficial to roadway personnel with responsibilities in traffic safety and countermeasure implementation.
Registration and Payment
The following registration fees cover the session, all course materials and meals:
Local Government: $85.00
State/Federal: $140.00
Private Industry: $325.00
Tribes: $0
Click here for UVA TTA's general registration information, cancellation policy, and refund policy. UVA TTA accepts the following credit cards: American Express, VISA, MasterCard, and Discover. Credit card information cannot be taken over the phone. Alternatively, after registering you can print out a voucher to send in with your payment. After you have completed the transaction you will receive an automatically generated email confirming registration and payment if applicable. Final confirmation and instructions will be sent out during the week prior to the class date.
Special Registration Instructions for Employees of the Virginia Department of Transportation
VDOT employees must register through the VDOT Virtual Campus. Registration fees and related expenses for all VDOT employees will be paid from the VDOT Learning Services Center budget. Registrants should contact their District Training Coordinator or the VDOT Learning Services Center (Central Office employees) for instructions on how to seek reimbursement for travel expenses.
Due to current travel restrictions, VDOT employees are strongly encouraged to attend U. Va. TTA workshops on a day trip basis. Overnight travel requires permission from your District Administrator or Chief -- and in some cases higher levels of authority. If you require overnight lodging to attend a U. Va. TTA workshop, consult with your supervisor, District Training Coordinator, or VDOT Learning Services Center on travel approval procedures.