For more than 35 years, Michael “Troy” Richardson has worked as a designer, builder,  fabricator, CAD/CAM Engineer (BS-2014), and Technical Writer (MA-2024) in the adventure  attraction industry. His experiences include building and inspecting roller coasters, ziplines,  challenge courses, and high-performance trampoline and tumbling facilities. He holds six-plus U.S. patents for zipline braking and safety systems. Mr. Richardson’s hired by both plaintiffs and  defendants in complex injury litigations; major operators such as Vail Resorts, Urban Air and Sky  Zone have sought his abilities often.  

Today, he has reviewed more than 200 accidents and served 100 engaged cases as an  expert witness. Mr. Richardson often contributes to industry standard development, including  ANSI/PRCA, ASTM F2959 and F2970. His graduate work continues in MS- Engineering &  Technology Management (*2027) at Utah Valley University.

Mr. Richardson owns Momentum Innovation Technologies (M.I.T. Experts, 2026) formerly Momentum Engineering, a product development and an accident investigation company. He supplies the aerial amusement industry with safer designs and braking devices and specialized  staff training. Troy has been a Certified 3rd party inspector/instructor. He shares his knowledge  with clients by explaining the intricacies of amusement rides and attractions looking at their  design, operation, ownership, and the management of documentation. 

In 2016, he began serving as a voting and advisory member of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) F24 (Amusement Rides & Devices) & F15 (Consumer Products). Troy has held esteemed positions as a Board Member of the  Professional Ropes Course Association (PRCA/ANSI), Task-group member of ASTM F2959, and assists the standard committees at the Association for Challenge Course Technology (ACCT/ANSI), furthering his commitment to improve safety, training, and  operational excellence in the realm of amusement attractions.  

Troy provides crucial reports and written discovery requests (i.e., complaints, ROGs, RFPs, and  RFAs) to hasten settlements. He aims for swift and favorable outcomes. Troy serves on both  sides. As a plaintiff expert, he meticulously screens each matter to ensure a settlement can  occur with his help. Michael Troy Richardson has an impressive (95%) settlement rate. Troy’s track record instills confidence in his clients. His abilities to deliver successful outcomes, leading  to why his services are sought after often. 

Rollercoasters  

1988 ~1994, Mr. Richardson built coasters that include several in the state of Nevada (i.e., Wild  Bill’s; Circus-Circus and New York-New York rollercoasters near Las Vegas). 

Challenge Courses  

Early in his expert witness career, Troy was invited to join the board decisions with the PRCA (2016-2017). Since then, he has been an active member and participant at numerous  Association for Challenge Course Technology (ACCT) events or Expos. He advocates tirelessly  for safer practices across the industry. Troy has penned influential letters or rationales and sent  them to all stakeholders (ACCT, PRCA, CPSC, & ASTM F24), highlighting the urgent need to  address the most common accidents that have plagued the aerial adventure industry for over  two decades. His insights and recommendations have led to meaningful changes in safety  standards in 2024. Recognizing his ability and impact, the PRCA invited him back to the board  in 2024 after his first term of service ended in 2019, underscoring their confidence in his ongoing  commitment to elevate safety and reduce risk.  

Trampoline Courts  

Mr. Richardson is a retained as a trainer/consultant at The Hive, the largest trampoline park in  the state of Utah. He influenced the adoption of the 2019 Utah House Bill 150 by speaking with  Senators & House Representatives to adopt the ASTM F24 standard (F2970).

• (1985-1990) Certified Mig, Tig, & Arc Welder and Metal Fabricator  
• (1988-1992) Building roller coasters in Springville, Utah 
• (1995-2015) Owner of a National Board Certified (R-Stamp) Welding Company
• (2001-present) Inventor of friction-braking trolleys for giant ziplines up to 45-degrees
• (2002) built and installed the world-record-breaking zipline at Park City Mountain Resort.
• (2009-2010) Owner/Operator/Trainer of the Zipline at Spanish Fork, Utah

• (2010) Designer/Fabricator of the zipline braking devices at Horseshoe Resort Zipline
• (2015) New career as an Aerial Adventure Subject Matter Expert serving hundreds of clients
• (1995-2015) Owner of a National Board Certified (R-Stamp) Welding Company
• (2023-24) developed a training program during his first master’s degree for largest challenge course builder in the USA or American Adventure Park Systems. Their world-record (107 ziplines) is found on their 300-acre zipline tour.

• (2023) taught defense attorneys (legal roundtable) about training at International Association for Amusement Parks & Attractions (IAAPA) in Orlando, Florida
• 2024 designing a 40-hour training program for “The Hive Trampoline Park”
• (2026) Asked to teach the 2026 UVU & BYU engineering students
• (2026) ANSI/ACCT International Expo 90-min presentation, Zipline Nuances, Dynamics & Variables
• (2026) ANSI/PRCA Conference 90-min presentation, Zipline Nuances, Dynamics & Variables

• (2009) Heavenly Resort-ZipRider (fatal injury) in Reno, Nevada.  
• (2015) zipline accident investigation at Olympic Park, Utah, (first engagement)
• (2016) zipline death at Sundance Ski Resort- ZipRider (punitive damages) 
• (2021) child paralyzed at an Urban Air Trampoline Park