Michael Troy Richardson, BS, MA, MS

Santaquin, Utah
Michael Troy Richardson, BS, MA, MS Expert Witness
Curriculum Vitae

Publications

Challenge Course, Zipline & Trampoline Park Expert

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Specialties & Experience of this Expert Witness

General Specialties:

Engineering and Risk Management

Keywords/Search Terms:

Zip line, Trampoline Park, Amusement Park, Design Engineering, Mech. Engineering, Risk Management, Aerial Adventure, Challenge Courses, Aerial Attractions, Ziplines, Trampoline Courts, Zipline accident, Trampoline Injury, Training, Product Liability , Amusement Rides, Certified Trainer, Challenge Course, Manufacturing , Products

Education:

Masters--Technical Writing & Digital Rhetoric, Utah TECH University; Bachelors in Design Engineering & Technology, Southern Utah University; Applied Physics for U.S. Patent Bar exam, Brigham Young University; Masters--Engineering and Technology Management, Utah Valley University

Years in Practice:

40

Number of Times Deposed/Testified in Last 4 Yrs:

7+

Additional Information

Expert Witness Profile: Michael 'Troy' Richardson, AS, BS, MA, *MS 100+ case engagements in amusement rides and attractions. Internationally Recognized Aerial Adventure Safety, Engineering, & Training Expert with expert engagements in 40 States, a few Canadian Providences, Puerto Rico, and Mexico. Mr. Richardson is a Amusement Ride Manufacturer and Engineer: National Board Certified Pressure Vessel Welder, Master Machinist, Design Engineer, Technical Writer, 3rd-party Inspector, and Qualified Instructor. He is a Standards, Regulations, and Manufacturers' Guideline Expert. He is a internationally recognized expert witness and authority in the aerial adventure industry with over 40 years of experience in the design, manufacturing, inspection, accident reconstruction and investigation: challenge courses, ziplines, roller coasters, and trampoline parks. Mr. Richardson has reviewed and researched more than three hundred aerial adventure incidents. He has written ~40 Expert Reports and provided expert testimony in over one hundred legal cases across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico. As an inventor, he holds six-plus U.S. patents (Safety Systems). Mr. Richardson is a leading contributor to national safety standards (i.e. ASTM F24 (Amusement Rides and Devices, ANSI/ACCT, & ANSI/PRCA). He actively serves on ASTM Task-Groups and ANSI committees, including F2959 (ziplines), and F2970 (trampoline courts), and is actively developing new safety guidelines, standards, and writes rationales for inspectors, owners, operators, and regulators nationwide. Education & Academic Focus: M.S. in Engineering & Technology – Utah Valley University *(2024–2027) M.A. in Technical Writing – Utah Tech University (2021–2024) B.S. in Engineering Technology – Southern Utah University A.S. in Machine Tooling – Utah Valley University Advanced Physics Coursework (30+ hours) – Brigham Young University Focus: Biomechanics, Risk mitigation, Safety Training & Systems Industry Experience Highlights: 1988–1992: Building roller coasters that include projects like: Wild Bill’s, Circus-Circus, and New York-New York (Las Vegas) 1995–2015: Founded and operated AA Machining & Welding (R-Stamp Certified) 2002: Built the largest U.S. zipline at Park City Mountain Resort 2009: Designed and operated Spanish Fork’s “Zip Tour,” leading to his first expert witness case following a death at Heavenly Resort 2022: Pioneered a new friction- and spring-based zipline braking system, influencing ASTM/ANSI standards 2023–2024: Developed safety training modules for American Adventure Park Systems, operator of the world's largest zipline course 2024: Designing a 40-hour staff training program for The Hive, Utah’s largest trampoline park 2026: Started Two C-Corps, MIT Experts (expert witness services) & Safer Designs (zipline braking products) Specialized Areas of Testimony: Aerial Adventure Safety & Risk Analysis Zipline braking system failures and rider impact dynamics Challenge Course design, training, & compliance Industry standards, State and Local Regulations, and industry's best practices Equipment failure, maintenance, and inspection protocols Staff training adequacy and supervision levels Staff and Patron behavior and training Legislative & Training Influence: Co-authored elements of Utah House Bill 150 (2019) to regulate trampoline courts Utah Trial Journal article Collaborated with Dr. Jon Skidmore, PhD on trauma-informed safety training 2026 ANSI/PRCA Qualified Instructor: Training for amusement ride and attraction operators. Developed video inspection systems and App's to improve compliance. 2026 Featured Speaker at ANSI/PRCA, ANSI/ACCT, Utah Tech University Symposium (2024), and at IAAPA 2023-2025, educating defense attorneys (Legal Roundtable), insurers, and operators on emerging risk trends in aerial adventure litigation Contact: Michael Troy Richardson MIT Experts or SaferDesigns.com Expert Witness | Aerial Adventure Risk Manager