Arthur Bergan
Encyclopedia
Arthur Theodore Bergan is a Canadian Civil Engineer
(specializing in transportation engineering), a professor, and a leader in Canadian transportation safety research. He supervised the construction of numerous highways and was instrumental in the development of Transport Canada
's Transportation Centres. He also supervised the development of the Weigh-in-Motion Scale, designed to weigh vehicles passing over computer-assisted scales at speeds up to 70 miles per hour.
, Saskatchewan
, where he joined the Saskatchewan Department of Highways, supervising the design and construction of highways. He attended the University of Saskatchewan
, obtaining a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering in 1961.
After graduation, Dr. Bergan continued his road-building career, supervising the design and construction of highways, many in previously undeveloped regions in north and northeastern Saskatchewan. An estimated 500 miles of Saskatchewan highway were built under his supervision, through such challenging terrain as permafrost
and muskeg
.
Dr. Bergan completed his Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering at the UofS in 1964. He then began a career in academia with the University in the Department of Civil Engineering
. At the same time, he continued to orchestrate many large road construction projects.
In 1968, he took an educational leave to earn a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering for the Transport Institute of the University of California at Berkeley. Returning to teach at the UofS, over the years Dr. Bergan supervised 46 M.Sc. and Ph.D. students, a number of whom are now leaders in the transportation engineering field. He remains a respected mentor to his former students.
Recognized as an international authority on transportation engineering, Dr. Bergan has authored numerous refereed journals and conference proceedings; served on many college, national and international professional committees; was appointed President of the Canadian Technical Asphalt Association; and served as Assistant Dean of the College of Engineering from 1978 to 1983. He is a member of the Association of Professional Engineers of Saskatchewan and many other engineering and transportation associations.
Dr. Bergan was also instrumental in establishing a network of Transportation Centres across Canada
, under the mandate of Transport Canada
. The network has evolved into Canada’s lead center of excellence in transportation safety research, with research centres located across Canada, including the University of Saskatchewan. The network continues to be active today, conducting vital research in traffic safety, with Dr. Bergan at the helm in Saskatchewan.
In the late 1970s Dr. Bergan spearheaded the development of a weigh-in-motion scale, capable of weighing trucks traveling at highway speeds. This new technology led to the formation in 1980 of International Road Dynamics
(IRD), a Saskatoon company specializing in the area of weigh-in-motion, commercial vehicle operations enforcement and intelligent transportation systems.
Under Dr. Bergan’s 20 years of leadership as Chairman of the Board, IRD has become an international leader in Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS). The company produces and markets its technologies in over 30 countries around the world, generating gross annual revenues in excess of $20 million. IRD directly employs 140 people, and contracts with many local suppliers and trades people.
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Civil engineering
Civil engineering is a professional engineering discipline that deals with the design, construction, and maintenance of the physical and naturally built environment, including works like roads, bridges, canals, dams, and buildings...
(specializing in transportation engineering), a professor, and a leader in Canadian transportation safety research. He supervised the construction of numerous highways and was instrumental in the development of Transport Canada
Transport Canada
Transport Canada is the department within the government of Canada which is responsible for developing regulations, policies and services of transportation in Canada. It is part of the Transportation, Infrastructure and Communities portfolio...
's Transportation Centres. He also supervised the development of the Weigh-in-Motion Scale, designed to weigh vehicles passing over computer-assisted scales at speeds up to 70 miles per hour.
Biography
Arthur Bergan was born in AssiniboiaAssiniboia
Assiniboia refers to a number of different locations and administrative jurisdictions in Canada. The name is taken from the Assiniboine First Nation.- District of Assiniboia:...
, Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan is a prairie province in Canada, which has an area of . Saskatchewan is bordered on the west by Alberta, on the north by the Northwest Territories, on the east by Manitoba, and on the south by the U.S. states of Montana and North Dakota....
, where he joined the Saskatchewan Department of Highways, supervising the design and construction of highways. He attended the University of Saskatchewan
University of Saskatchewan
The University of Saskatchewan is a Canadian public research university, founded in 1907, and located on the east side of the South Saskatchewan River in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. An "Act to establish and incorporate a University for the Province of Saskatchewan" was passed by the...
, obtaining a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering in 1961.
After graduation, Dr. Bergan continued his road-building career, supervising the design and construction of highways, many in previously undeveloped regions in north and northeastern Saskatchewan. An estimated 500 miles of Saskatchewan highway were built under his supervision, through such challenging terrain as permafrost
Permafrost
In geology, permafrost, cryotic soil or permafrost soil is soil at or below the freezing point of water for two or more years. Ice is not always present, as may be in the case of nonporous bedrock, but it frequently occurs and it may be in amounts exceeding the potential hydraulic saturation of...
and muskeg
Muskeg
Muskeg is an acidic soil type common in Arctic and boreal areas, although it is found in other northern climates as well. Muskeg is approximately synonymous with bogland but muskeg is the standard term in Western Canada and Alaska, while 'bog' is common elsewhere. The term is of Cree origin, maskek...
.
Dr. Bergan completed his Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering at the UofS in 1964. He then began a career in academia with the University in the Department of Civil Engineering
Civil engineering
Civil engineering is a professional engineering discipline that deals with the design, construction, and maintenance of the physical and naturally built environment, including works like roads, bridges, canals, dams, and buildings...
. At the same time, he continued to orchestrate many large road construction projects.
In 1968, he took an educational leave to earn a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering for the Transport Institute of the University of California at Berkeley. Returning to teach at the UofS, over the years Dr. Bergan supervised 46 M.Sc. and Ph.D. students, a number of whom are now leaders in the transportation engineering field. He remains a respected mentor to his former students.
Recognized as an international authority on transportation engineering, Dr. Bergan has authored numerous refereed journals and conference proceedings; served on many college, national and international professional committees; was appointed President of the Canadian Technical Asphalt Association; and served as Assistant Dean of the College of Engineering from 1978 to 1983. He is a member of the Association of Professional Engineers of Saskatchewan and many other engineering and transportation associations.
Dr. Bergan was also instrumental in establishing a network of Transportation Centres across Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, under the mandate of Transport Canada
Transport Canada
Transport Canada is the department within the government of Canada which is responsible for developing regulations, policies and services of transportation in Canada. It is part of the Transportation, Infrastructure and Communities portfolio...
. The network has evolved into Canada’s lead center of excellence in transportation safety research, with research centres located across Canada, including the University of Saskatchewan. The network continues to be active today, conducting vital research in traffic safety, with Dr. Bergan at the helm in Saskatchewan.
In the late 1970s Dr. Bergan spearheaded the development of a weigh-in-motion scale, capable of weighing trucks traveling at highway speeds. This new technology led to the formation in 1980 of International Road Dynamics
International Road Dynamics
International Road Dynamics Inc. provides road traffic management systems. These services include automated toll roads, commercial vehicle inspection systems, traffic data collection products, and traffic management software....
(IRD), a Saskatoon company specializing in the area of weigh-in-motion, commercial vehicle operations enforcement and intelligent transportation systems.
Under Dr. Bergan’s 20 years of leadership as Chairman of the Board, IRD has become an international leader in Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS). The company produces and markets its technologies in over 30 countries around the world, generating gross annual revenues in excess of $20 million. IRD directly employs 140 people, and contracts with many local suppliers and trades people.
Development of Weigh-in-Motion Scale
In the late 1970s, transportation engineers under the direction of U of S Professor Art Bergan developed a prototype of automatic, weigh-in-motion scales. The technology is designed to weigh vehicles passing over computer-assisted scales at speeds up to 70 miles per hour, and with axle weights up to 50,000 pounds each. Similar scales using advanced technologies are now widely used throughout North America by International Road Dynamics, a company headed by Art Bergan's son, Terry.
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Dr. Arthur Bergan placed on the College of Engineering 2007 Alumni Wall of Distinction
Dr. Arthur Bergan was honoured during Homecoming 2007 with a place on the College
of Engineering Alumni Wall of Distinction. On September 14, College alumni and friends
gathered in the Engineering Building for the unveiling of Bergan’s photograph.
“Dr. Arthur Bergan is a professor, teacher, administrator, business person, colleague,”
Dean of Engineering Janusz Kozinski said at the event. “He is a man of action.”
Born in Assiniboia, Bergan graduated from high school in 1949 and began working
at the provincial Department of Highways in 1951. He earned his Civil Engineering
degree from the College of Engineering in 1961, his Master of Science in Soil
Mechanics in 1964, and a Ph.D. in Pavement Design for Heavy Loads from the
University of California Berkeley in the late ‘60’s.
Dr. Bergan’s contributions as a College of Engineering faculty member are numerous.
His enthusiasm for the College and its students is evident: he was a lead organizer of
past College reunions and has already offered his assistance in planning for the 100th
Anniversary of the College in 2012. Dr. Bergan continues to be a devoted mentor of
students and colleagues.
In the 1970’s, Dr. Bergan was instrumental in establishing the University of
Saskatchewan’s Transportation Research Centre to conduct research and training
in areas such as transportation systems, safety and economics. One of Dr. Bergan’s
first projects as the Centre’s Director was a study of seatbelt effectiveness. In 1978,
Saskatchewan became the first province in Canada to legislate the use of seatbelts.
Dr. Bergan’s most important success may very well be the lead role he has played
in improving highway efficiency and safety. In 2003, he was inducted into the
Saskatchewan Transportation Hall of Fame.
Dr. Bergan is a modest man. “I almost got played out listening to all of those kind
words,” he joked when it was his turn to step to the podium. “I am honoured to take
a place on the Wall with all of these distinguished alumni.”
External links
- http://www.irdinc.com
- http://engrwww.usask.ca/entropy/tc/index.html