CALGARY, Alta. – The Alberta Motor Association (AMA) and University of Calgary Department of Civil Engineering has appointed its first ever Research Chair in Road Safety. Dr. Richard Tav was recently announced as the successful candidate for this key position which will help lead a team focusing on road engineering, vehicle design, driver behaviours and other factors that contribute to road safety in Alberta.

Last year Alberta highways were home to 113,357 collisions, 385 fatalities and 24,426 injuries. For its part the AMA contributed $750,000 towards establishing the new research chair in road safety at UofC.

“This is a timely and relevant appointment,” said Don Szarko of the AMA. “Our partnership with the Department of Civil Engineering is a positive step towards increasing the safety of Alberta roadways.”

Tom Brown, professor and head of the Civil Engineering department at the UofC, is a leading supporterof the road safety chair. He said “The university already has a strong transportation engineering group, which includes the department of psychology, and the Van Horne Institute for International Transportation and Regulatory Affairs, along with various engineering departments, makes it an ideal home for the chair.”