Arthur Bergan

Arthur Theodore Bergan was born in Assiniboia, 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 U of S in 1964. He then began a career in academia with the U of S 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 U of S, 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, continuing to provide sound advice and guidance to many.

Recognized as an international authority on transportation engineering, Dr. Bergan has authored numerous refereed journals and conference proceedings; served on countless 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 active today, conducting vital research in traffic safety, with Dr. Bergan at the helm in Saskatchewan.

In the late 1970’s 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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Dr. Bergan is recognized as an international authority on transportation engineering and was instrumental in establishing a network of Transportation Centres across Canada, including the University of Saskatchewan, under the mandate of Transport Canada. The network has evolved into Canada's lead centre of excellence in transportation safety. Dr. Bergan's career includes authoring numerous papers and proceedings, and serving on countless professional committees. He was appointed President of the Canadian Technical Asphalt Association, served as Assistant Dean of the College of Engineering at the University of Saskatchewan, is a member of the Association of Professional Engineers of Saskatchewan and many other engineering and transportation associations. Dr. Bergan's many years of experience in the field of Transportation also include his work with the Saskatchewan Department of Highways and Transportation, and Professor of Civil Engineering at the University of Saskatchewan.

ITS Canada Newsletter, December 2001 - http://www.itscanada.ca/newsletters/Dec01.html

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Development of Weigh-in-Motion ScaleIn 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.

University of Saskatchewan website - http://www.usask.ca/research/about/tech_firsts/gen_rd.php

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Dr. Arthur Bergan placed on the College of Engineering 2007 Alumni Wall of DestinctionDr. Arthur Bergan was honoured duringHomecoming 2007 with a place on the Collegeof Engineering Alumni Wall of Distinction.On September 14, College alumni and friendsgathered in the Engineering Building for theunveiling 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 workingat the provincial Department of Highways in 1951. He earned his Civil Engineeringdegree from the College of Engineering in 1961, his Master of Science in SoilMechanics in 1964, and a Ph.D. in Pavement Design for Heavy Loads from theUniversity 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 ofpast College reunions and has already offered his assistance in planning for the 100thAnniversary of the College in 2012. Dr. Bergan continues to be a devoted mentor ofstudents and colleagues.In the 1970’s, Dr. Bergan was instrumental in establishing the University ofSaskatchewan’s Transportation Research Centre to conduct research and trainingin areas such as transportation systems, safety and economics. One of Dr. Bergan’sfirst 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 playedin improving highway efficiency and safety. In 2003, he was inducted into theSaskatchewan Transportation Hall of Fame.Dr. Bergan is a modest man. “I almost got played out listening to all of those kindwords,” he joked when it was his turn to step to the podium. “I am honoured to takea place on the Wall with all of these distinguished alumni.”

Thorough, Fall 2007 - engrwww.usask.ca/script/beaverden/pubservice.php?htmlareaupload=2761&sh=39da3c52dfcc497947952fec6c0500b2

External links

*http://www.irdinc.com
*http://engrwww.usask.ca/entropy/tc/index.html