About the Workshop
Land transportation safety is a major concern for the International Energy business. Statistics show that 27% of the fatal accidents which affected our industry Worldwide over the 5 year period 2003–2008 were the direct result of vehicle accidents (the highest single contributor to fatalities). Furthermore, the incidence of land transportation accidents in the Middle East and North Africa Region is higher than anywhere else in the World.
Land transportation accidents are avoidable, usually by very simple and cost effective measures. In fact, most measures cost nothing other than a change in attitude or behaviours.
Up to 95% of all land transportation accidents are caused by human error, or to put this another way, inappropriate behaviours on the part of drivers, passengers and pedestrians. Typical common examples are; not wearing a seat belt; inappropriate speed; disregard of weather conditions or terrain; dangerous manoeuvres, fatigue and distraction. By means of a few simple changes in behaviour all of these accidents can be prevented. Greater care and attention, defensive driver training, taking frequent rest breaks, driving in line with the terrain and weather conditions and speed limits, all of these measures are simple and effective in reducing land transportation accidents.
Technology is now at a level where there is no excuse for accidents. Vehicles are constructed in a way which provides protection to the occupants, tyres and brakes are better than ever before, protective air bags can be fitted, seat belts are universal and in-vehicle monitoring systems are gaining widespread use, particularly for driving in remote areas.
In short, there is no excuse for land transportation accidents but they still occur at an alarming rate. Therefore this important SPE workshop will examine all of the issues around this subject with a view to highlighting effective prevention strategies. This participative workshop is an important step on the road to accident prevention.
Format
1 day of informal discussions prompted by selected keynote presentations and discussions. Workshops maximize the exchange of ideas among attendees and presenters through brief technical presentations followed by extended Q&A periods and breakout groups. Focused topics attract an informed audience eager to discuss issues critical to advancing both technology and best practices. The majority of the presentations are in the form of case studies, highlighting achievements and lessons learned. In order to stimulate frank discussion, no proceedings are published and the press is not invited to attend.
Documentation
Proceedings will not be published; therefore, formal papers and handouts are not requested of speakers or panel members. Note-taking by participants is encouraged.
Workshop Deliverables
The Programme Committee will appoint a “scribe” to record the discussions and to produce the full workshop report for SPE. This report will be circulated to all attendees as the workshop deliverable within 4–6 weeks following the workshop. The copyright of the report is with SPE.
Attendance Certificate
All attendees will receive an attendance certificate attesting to their participation in the workshop. This certificate will be provided in exchange for a completed workshop questionnaire.
Continuing Education Units
This workshop qualifies for SPE Continuing Education Units (CEU) at the rate of 0.1 CEU per hour of the Workshop.
Commercialism
In keeping with ATW objectives and the SPE mission, commercialism in posters or presentations will not be permitted. Company logos must be limited to the title slide and used only to indicate the affiliation of the presenter and other involved in the work.
