YOU ARE INVITED TO THE NEXT
AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CIVIL ENGINEERS
NORTH CAROLINA SECTION
EASTERN BRANCH
LUNCHEON
In-Person: RSVP Online Now
Virtual: RSVP Online Now
NOTICE: This meeting is offered in-person and virtually. See below for details.
In-person registration closes at midnight on Monday, February 12, 2024.
Speaker: Brian Ceccarelli, P.E.
Date: Thursday, February 15, 2024
Topic: The Yellow Signal Light - Physics, Red-Light Cameras and Engineering Malpractice
Time: 12:00PM - 1:00PM
Summary: Mr. Ceccarelli introduced this topic to ASCE in 2017. Much as happened since then. For his new presentation, he will review the physics in the Institute of Transportation Engineer's (ITE) practice of determining the duration of the yellow light. Departments of Transportation use this ITE practice. The errors and omissions in the physics cause drivers to systematically run red lights. Red-light camera firms partner with governments, who together use the power of government to exploit these errors for profit.
Departments of Transportation have been adopting the ITE practice since 1965. On March 3, 2020, he and his colleagues convinced ITE to admit that its practice was wrong. ITE published a new practice which adopts their new math equation and rebukes zero-tolerance traffic law enforcement. Most DOTs, like the NCDOT, ignore the new equation. And ITE and the NCDOT continue to inject errors and omissions making everyone run red lights.
Mr. Ceccarelli's presentation includes news of current red-light camera law suits and proposed legislation in North Carolina. We will talk about cities continuing to operate red-light cameras in spite of state engineering boards' rulings that the red-light camera engineering plans lack signature and seal of a PE and/or a firm licensed to practice engineering. We will discuss why NC courts and NCBELS still refuse to oppose a standard of care which does not rise to the requirements of NCGS 89C.
Bio: Brian Ceccarelli has a degree in physics from the University of Arizona. Ceccarelli is a licensed professional engineer. He designs and builds software for engineering and science companies. He is currently employed by the Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere at Colorado State University.
Ceccarelli became interested in traffic signal timing when the Town of Cary, North Carolina bestowed upon him a red-light camera ticket. That motivated him to research government’s obligations to conform man-made ordinances to the laws of science. Mr. Ceccarelli currently serves as expert witness in traffic signal timing and photo-enforcement in North Carolina and New York. Ceccarelli has presented this subject for the National Society of Professional Engineers, the United Kingdom's Autonomous Vehicle Symposiums, ASCE, and other venues.
Location: This luncheon will be held at the beautiful NC State University Club at 4200 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, North Carolina, 27606. You can contact the NC University Club at (919) 828-0308 if you need assistance locating their establishment.
We are also offering a virtual-only option for those wishing to continue practicing social distancing. Instructions and a link to the virtual meeting (via Zoom) will been sent to the registered participants. If you do not receive the login information, please contact us. You will have the option to install software for a better viewing experience, but the video will otherwise play in a standard web browser. You will not need to create an account.
Fees:
$25 for ASCE Members
$30 for Non-ASCE Members and Guests
$10 for ASCE Life Members and Unemployed ASCE Members.
$10 for Virtual Only
Free for Students
If you are paying at the door, please bring cash or a check made out to "ASCE NC Eastern Branch".
RSVP: Our online system handles all registrations and payments. You can register and pay for the event online using your credit card. Even if you don't want to pay online, please use the online system to register. There are no additional fees, accounts, or passwords to remember. The online system will also allow you to specify if you prefer a vegetarian meal. Upon arrival at the event, just check-in at the registration table using your name.
We understand your schedule may change and you might not be able to make it to the event. Cancellations with refunds can be honored up until four days prior to the event by sending an email. If you are neither able to attend nor cancel in time, you may send a replacement.
PDH: To help Professional Engineers in attendance acquire 15 Professional Development Hour (PDH) units per license renewal period in accordance with 21 NCAC 56.1703, a one hour PDH certificate will be emailed to registered participants after the presentation.