The emphasis of this synthesis is general tort liability because it offers the major threat insofar as unplanned costs are concerned and poses special management challenges. Procedures and techniques are presented for the design and implementation of a comprehensive risk management program to manage tort liability risk in government highway agencies. This synthesis will be of interest to highway agency administrative and executive officers, risk managers, legal officials, as well as to highway design, traffic, and safety engineers, enforcement agency personnel, claims managers, and others concerned with managing tort liability programs in state transportation agencies. It describes the state of the practice with respect to the manner in which these agencies manage highway tort liability programs. Management of claims associated with highways, streets, and pedestrian facilities is the focus of this synthesis, which describes program elements, costs, staffing, risk avoidance, and management requirements. This report of the Transportation Research Board describes the design and implementation of procedures and techniques to manage tort liability programs. Much of the material in this synthesis is also applicable to managing risks associated with modes other than highways within the state transportation agency. There is also applicability to local highway agencies, toll authorities, and public transit agencies. (A)
Abstract