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Excerpts from various depositions can be found under the “Traffic & Transportation Engineering,” “Human Factors,” “Accident Reconstruction,” and “Work Zone Traffic Control Devices/Construction” specialty sections. Up through the 1960's, and to a more limited extent through the 1980's, most civil, traffic, and transportation engineers were educated and trained to perform the surveying required by their work as part of the design, construction, and building of structures, roads and bridges. Prior to that, for the most part, there were few separate survey organizations that provided surveying for engineering works, particularly roads. And even today, Registered Professional Surveyors or Registered Professional Civil Engineers are the only ones permitted by law to survey, establish, or reestablish lines and grades that are part of the design or construction of roads, bridges, buildings or any other fixed works.
The creation of the Total
*Tasks such as available sight distance for a road or street (even a private street) must be performed by a licensed surveyor or civil engineer. |
Station Survey Instrument and
the 3D Laser Survey Instrument
has encouraged the use of
surveying for recording the
crushed features of accident
vehicles. Because of that,
many engineers that don’t have
the Civil Registration have
acquired survey equipment. Be
aware that there are more than
a few unlicensed surveyors that
don’t have the necessary
registration that are offering to
provide surveys of roads and
streets. Considering the fairly
large number of accident
reconstruction firms that have this equipment today, it is advisable that you inquire of them
about their registration*. Because of the high cost of the equipment and the large number
available, the temptation is great for the office to ignore the needs. (Yes, we have been
made aware of several that are in violation, and should you take these to trial, you risk
having them denied admission. You can check with the California Board of Technical
Registration for Engineers and Land Surveyors, or contact us. We will get you in touch
with an appropriately licensed firm.)
