PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
National Academy of Forensic Engineers
- President (2006) and Member of the Board of Directors of NAFE
National Society of Professional Engineers
American Society of Civil Engineers
Society of Automotive Engineers Past Member Institute of Traffic
Engineers
New Jersey Association of Accident Reconstructionists
Education
Bachelor of Civil Engineering, City College of NY, 1966
Graduate Courses, CCNY, Transportation, Foundations and Structures
Master of Fine Arts, New York University, 1974
National Academy of Forensic Engineers, continuing education seminars & Accident Reconstruction
NYSDOT Construction Division, Traffic Control Training Seminar
FORENSIC ENGINEERING EXPERIENCE
Vehicular Accident Reconstruction
Reconstruct multi-vehicle, car and truck accidents on streets and highways using energy, momentum and laws of motion principals; knowledge of Federal, State and City "Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets & Highways" (MUTCD); knowledge of statutes and regulations for "Maintenance and Protection of Traffic" Federal, State & City Departments of Transportation (DOT); American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and other legal/construction procedures for plaintiffs and defendants. Have testified in court.
Construction & Slip/Trip/Fall Accident Reconstruction
Investigate construction, slip/trip/fall & other accidents. Knowledge of NYS/NYC building codes, Multiple Dwelling Laws, Housing Maintenance Code, NYC Rules & Regulations, to support findings. Knowledge of Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) regulations and NYS Labor Laws.
GENERAL ENGINEERING EXPERIENCE
Design Experience
Supervised and designed new and rehabilitated highway bridges, highway and street alignments applying American Association of State Highway Officials (AASHTO), New York State and New York City Departments of Transportation (NYSDOT & NYCDOT) specifications.
Supervised and designed building columns, beams and girders for a major project for the New York and New Jersey Port Authority, applying American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) specifications and New York City Building Codes.
Field Experience
Supervised and inspected new construction and rehabilitation of highways, streets and bridges for New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT), New York City Transit Authority (NYCTA) and other agencies, interpreted and applied construction specifications to methods of construction and safety for workers and the traveling public.
PUBLISHED & PRESENTED PAPERS
“Forensic Engineering Analysis of Pedestrian Carry and Throw Distance”, by Joel Hicks & Michael Kravitz, P.E., presented at the National Academy of Forensic Engineers, July, 2003. The paper examines how the carry, throw and tumble distance is related to the speed of the vehicle.
“Anatomy of a Forensic Engineering Case”, delivered at the National Academy of Forensic Engineers seminar, January 2003. Published in the Journal of the National Academy of Forensic Engineers, June 2003. The paper examines three domains of the writer’s practice that include Building Codes, Street Construction, and Vehicular Accident Reconstruction, and more importantly the definitions of words within the building code as defined by the opposing attorney.
“Forensic Engineering Analysis of Building Codes and Staircase Accidents”, delivered at the National Academy of Forensic Engineers seminar, January, 2002. Published in the Journal of the National Academy of Forensic Engineers, June 2002. The paper examines the history of building codes in New York City and other major cities in the U.S. Examination of old building codes, tenement house code and multiple dwelling codes, and their application in staircase accidents.
"Deposition & Court: Quotes That Altered the Engineering Case", delivered at the National Academy of Forensic Engineers seminar July 2000. Published in the Journal of the National Academy of Forensic Engineers, December 2000. The paper examines the testimony of plaintiffs, defendants and witnesses where a few words in a statement of fact within a transcript of thousands of words changed the case from an engineering prospective.
"The History of the 0.50 SCOF", delivered at the National Academy of Forensic Engineers seminar, July 1999. Published in the Journal of the National Academy of Forensic Engineers, December 1999. Discusses the history of the 0.50 static coefficient of friction and where it came from.
"Median Barriers: Are They Needed When They Are Optional?", delivered at the National Academy of Forensic Engineers seminar, January 1998. Published in the Journal of the National Academy of Forensic Engineers, June, 1998. Discusses median barriers, criteria for installation and use.
"Walking Surface Hazards And The Codes", delivered at the National Academy of Forensic Engineers seminar, January 1994. Published in the Journal of the National Academy of Forensic Engineers, June, 1994. Researches building codes and handicap regulations regarding changes in level on sidewalks and cross walks.
"Small Steel Plates on Highway Pavements", delivered at the National Academy of Forensic Engineers seminar, July, 1991. Published in the Journal of the National Academy of Forensic Engineers, December, 1991. Examines sudden impact loading of vehicle tires on steel plates covering holes on highway pavements.
EMPLOYMENT EXPERIENCE
1991 to Present
Sole Practitioner of Forensic and Civil Consulting Engineering Practice Including: Vehicular Accident Reconstruction; Highway Safety and Defects; Building Codes; Construction Accidents; OSHA Standards including New York State Industrial Code; and Slip, Trip and Fall cases. Practice opened 16 years ago with over 1200 cases for both plaintiffs and defendants, approximately 80 court appearances, depositions and arbitrations as an expert witness.
1986 to 1990
Senior Civil Engineer, Salmon Associates, Consulting Engineers.
40-27 Crescent Street, Long Island City, New York 11101
Administrative Duties: Organize company computer system for various engineering and office applications including AutoCAD, Lotus, accounting, word processing, and other engineering applications required by state and city agencies.
Senior Civil Engineer: Brighton Beach Lines for the New York City Transit Authority from Avenue J through Ocean Parkway, approximately four miles. In-depth inspection of column bases with recommendations as to the types of repairs needed.
Senior Civil Engineer: Sub-Consultant to Weidlinger Associates, a structural engineering firm, for the Redevelopment of the JFK International Arrivals Building for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Duties included liaison between primary and sub-consultant; beam, girder, footing and column design for schematic, preliminary and final stages of project. Created and developed spreadsheet templates for the preliminary and final column design along with the base plates and bolts for over three thousand columns. Calculated and developed spreadsheet templates for quantity estimates for the preliminary bidding proposal.
Senior Civil Engineer: Sub-consultant to Carmen-Dunne, Consulting Engineers, for the replacement of the super structure, (girders), for two bridges along Moshulu Parkway in the Bronx. The redesign and replacement of the bridges, over Webster Avenue and over Metro North, consisted of girders, concrete slab, studs, bearing pads, etc., according to the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) specifications. Calculated and coordinated the roadway and bridge alignments and grades.
Chief Inspector: Long Island Expressway under the Long Island Railroad at Woodhaven Boulevard. Supervised safety & construction of the eastbound and westbound collector distributor roads to be constructed under the railroad tracks while maintaining rail traffic. The project expanded the number of traffic lanes in both directions from six to ten.
Senior Inspector: Long Island Expressway roadway and bridge rehabilitation from exits 52 to 57. The project entailed the jacking of bridges while maintaining traffic, pedestal repair and heat straightening of damaged bridge girders. The roadway repair consisted of replacing sections of concrete pavement and general regrading of shoulders, sidewalk and medians for proper drainage. Checked on the general safety procedures during construction.
1971 to 1986 Independent Motion Picture Producer Producing feature films, commercials, industrial and educational films using film and videotape. Acquired general business experience performing the responsibilities of an employer of cast and crew; obeying safety regulations and practices on the set regarding fire protection and hazards; negotiated with unions, clients and other business entities; prepared contracts, budgets, marketing, public relations and other documents needed in business operations.
1969 to 1970 Construction Superintendent/Layout Engineer Corinno Civetta Construction Company, 1100 E. 156th Street, Bronx, New York 10474 At two project sites; Uris Brothers Company, 1633 Broadway, and Solow Building Company, 9 West 57th Street, New York City. supervised and coordinated excavation, and construction of concrete foundation footings and walls. Coordinated construction with the architect, engineering consultants and owner's representative. Ordered men, equipment, and materials. Responsible for the safe operation of construction methods and procedures.
1966 to 1969 Civil Engineer/Resident Inspector Marvin M. Specter, P.E., L.S., Consulting Engineers 174 Brady Avenue, Hawthorne, New York 10532 Supervised construction on the New Rochelle Arterial Highway System including the reconstruction of the Metro North Railroad bridge over Cedar Street, sewers, drainage, sidewalk, roadways. Participated in site development for a variety of other projects including layout, planning, design of drainage which included surveying and creation of drawings.
1965 Junior Civil Engineer New York City Department of Public Works, 40 Worth Street, New York, New York 10013 Test Borings Inspector for the North River Sewerage Treatment Plant. Examined and classified earth and rock samples from borings.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Basic Disciplines: Civil & Highway Engineering
Primary Activity: Vehicular Accident Analysis and Reconstruction Highway Safety Highway Defects Design, Construction and Maintenance Transportation/Traffic Engineering
Specialty Subjects: Accident Investigation/Analysis, & Vehicular Accident Reconstruction Building Codes Construction Accidents, Hazards and Failures OSHA Standards Seat Belts Slips, Trips and Falls Streets and Highways Geographical Limitations: None
Court Experience: Federal, State, County, Arbitration.
CONTINUING EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: New York Institute of Photography School of Visual Arts - Photography NAFE Education Committee - Special Seminars: