CLGT’s Ann Hamilton named to Board of Directors of the National Pilot Car Association
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
Hamilton also to serve on related boards—the Commission for Pilot Escort Certification (NCPEC) and the National Pilot Car Safety Institute (NPCSI)
August 12, 2014
Dr. Ann Hamilton, manager of the Oklahoma Pilot/Escort Certification Training Program at the Center for Local Government Technology (CLGT) in the College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology at Oklahoma State University, has been named to the National Pilot Car Association (NPCA) as well as the National Commission for Pilot Escort Certification (NCPEC) and the National Pilot Car Safety Institute (NPCSI). NPCSI President Steven Barnes and Terry Kox, NCPEC vice-president, announced the appointments August 6, 2014.
“Ann brings a lot to these organizations. She has excellent grant writing, teaching, and curriculum development skills that the NCPEC and the NPCSI need. She has managed Oklahoma’s Pilot/Escort certification courses and has been teaching the Oklahoma course for many years. We are excited to have her on board,” Elton Boyd, NPCSI Vice-President, said.
“These organizations are striving to enhance safety and to introduce training programs designed to address problem areas such as bridge strikes and flagger issues. Developing educational programs for running height poles and completing route surveys is critical and I am delighted to have the opportunity to work with pilot/escort drivers, trucking companies, state and federal regulators, and the insurance industry to make the movement of oversized loads safer for the motoring public, the load driver, and the escorts themselves,” Hamilton said.
The mission of the NPCSI is “[T]o promote professionalism, certification and safety in the pilot car industry, and public awareness of driving issues related to the movement of oversize loads” according to a statement provided by Barnes. The group is working toward harmonization among states for signage and safety equipment for pilot/escort drivers, in addition to developing the training programs. The group is also working with insurance providers to gather data and to consider reduced rates for pilot/escort drivers with advanced training and certifications.
The goals of the NCPEC are considering the feasibility of a system of national certification for pilot/escort drivers, the need for additional training requirements for height-pole operators and route survey specialists, and ways to enhance harmonization among the states, Canada, and Mexico.
These groups, along with representatives from the pilot/escort industry, the Federal Highway Administration, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials and its regional groups (the Western Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, and others), the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance, and the Specialized Carriers and Rigging Association are focused on safer movement of oversized loads, and are planning a series of meetings to discuss modifications in state programs and federal regulations; updating and expanding the Best Practices guidelines publications; securing targeted, adequate, and affordable insurance policies; and increasing the visibility of pilot/escort drivers and their roles in moving oversized loads.
Hamilton has managed the Oklahoma Pilot/Escort Certification Training Program for two years; she has taught the course and developed educational and promotion materials for more than seven years.
Contact:
Ann Hamilton, Ph.D.
Center for Local Government Technology
College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology
Oklahoma State University
ann.hamilton@okstate.edu
405.808.1688