Homework 1 - Reading (Finished CE 350-001)
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University of Alabama *
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350
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Industrial Engineering
Date
Feb 20, 2024
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4
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CE 350 Introduction to Transportation Engineering Dr. Jun Liu - Spring 2024 Homework #1 This homework assignment is intended to be done individually. You are welcome and encouraged to discuss the ideas so that you can learn together and from each other. But I expect everyone to have unique answers that. reflect your own understanding of the issues and concepts (note Honor Code statement below). Please type (or scan) all responses into a single PDF file. All work must be neat and professionally presented. Clearly label all sheets as HM #1 and put your name on each. Late homework assignments generally will not be accepted. You will need to upload your responses to Blackboard. Due by 11:59 pm, Monday, January 19, 2023 I promise or affirm that I will not at any time be involved with cheating, plagiarism, fabrication, or misrepresentation while enrolled as a student at The University of Alabama. I have read the Academic Honor Code, which explains disciplinary procedures that will result from the aforementioned. I understand that violation of this code will result in penalties as severe as indefinite suspension from the University. . . Signature Print Name 1.
(10 points) List and define performance aspects of transportation systems. Safety – this is the most important factor and is a must not just a priority.
Mobility & Accessibility – more mobile transportation means more time saved, improved mobility also means more equity, jobs, and better life quality.
Sustainability- we need our transportation methods to be sustainable so they can last long and not cause more harm than good. We need sustainable transportation for factors like energy, environment, economy, and society.
2.
(10 points) What is the purpose of establishing CAFÉ standards? The purpose of the CAFÉ standards is to reduce energy consumption by increasing the fuel economy of cars and light trucks. CAFÉ standards regulate how far our vehicles must travel on a gallon of fuel.
Colin Daughdrill
CE 350 Introduction to Transportation Engineering Dr. Jun Liu - Spring 2024 3.
(25 points) Please read the article/report “Future Transportation Systems” and use your own words to answer the following questions: a.
What impacts will on-demand car services have on automobile ownership? We will see a decrease in automobile ownership because if fleets of cars can be managed and leased in real-time this results in fewer vehicles required to convey a similar level of mobility. This could increase the productivity of vehicles 30-50%.
b.
What are the potential safety benefits of driverless vehicles? The safety benefits of driverless vehicles are that the improved coordination and navigation of vehicles can reduce congestion substantially, particularly when bottlenecks are created by bad driver behavior such as sudden braking. Fewer accidents will be a substantial relief from the causes of congestion.
c.
What are the potential mobility benefits of driverless vehicles? The potential mobility benefits of driverless vehicles could improve the mobility of elderly people and people with disabilities who can’t drive themselves.
d.
Define hybrid vehicles. Hybrid vehicles involve the use of two types of motor technologies, commonly an internal combustion engine and an electric motor. Braking is used to recharge a battery, which then can be used to power the electric motor.
e.
List cons and pros of electric car engines. Pros – lower environmental footprint, less CO2 emissions, less mechanically complex and longer life cycle, cheaper to build and maintain, lower acquisition and operating costs.
Cons- negative impact on the vehicle repair industry, there is an issue with electricity supply that can have substantial additional demands on the power grid, for many governments gas fuel taxes are used to fund infrastructure maintenance and developments and having electric car engines would eliminate this.
CE 350 Introduction to Transportation Engineering Dr. Jun Liu - Spring 2024 4.
(15 points) Please read the article/report “Transportation and Society” and use your own words to answer the following questions: a.
Why is the mobility regarded as a reliable indicator of economic development? Mobility is one of the most fundamental and important characteristics of economic or social activities as it satisfies the basic need of going from one location to another. Economies that possess greater mobility are often those with better opportunities to develop. Greater mobility is a catalyst for development.
b.
Explain why car ownership could be a factor of the mobility gap. Car ownership could be a factor of the mobility gap because people’s mobility and transport demands depend on their socioeconomic status. This means someone with a low socioeconomic status could maybe not own a car and someone with high socioeconomic status will most likely own a car. This creates a mobility gap between them. Also, someone who does not own a car has a mobility gap if the only way to get to work is by car and not public transportation in the city.
c.
List the societal and environmental transportation challenges mentioned in the reading. Locations that have low levels of accessibility tend to have higher costs for many goods. Congestion of transportation systems in becoming very common resulting in delays and waste of energy. The higher the traffic the higher the probability that an accident will occur. The convenience of mobility for people to move short distances mechanically will cause people to walk less and become obese possibly. Air quality can be impacted negatively from car emissions. Noise pollution issue due to transportation. Oils spills pollute water. Transportation is a large consumer of land taking up a lot of space.
5.
(15 points) Please read the article/report “What Is Sprawl Development?” and use your own words to answer the following questions: a.
List the possible impacts of sprawl development. The possible impacts of sprawl development include sprawl burdens local governments with higher economic costs, requires new roads, water main, sewer pipes, etc. Environmental costs from cars driving more miles, thus making more traffic delays pollution and safety risks. Sprawl development uses more water. Sprawl negatively affects our health from air pollutants that are released and less people walking and biking.
b.
What transportation problems are related to sprawl development? Transportation problems related to sprawl development is increased commute times for people on the outer edge of the city. Increased traffic and congestion. More cars on the roads leading to more accidents.
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CE 350 Introduction to Transportation Engineering Dr. Jun Liu - Spring 2024 6.
(25 points) Please read the article/report “Critical Issues in Transportation for 2024 and Beyond” and use your own words to answer the following questions: a.
According to the report, what are the five key societal goals that the Transportation Research Board's Executive Committee has chosen to address to tackle the major challenges facing society? 1)Mitigating and responding to climate change 2) promoting equity and inclusion 3) Increasing road safety 4) Advancing public health 5) Building and sustaining a strong, competitive economy
b.
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, what specific changes in transportation systems are mentioned in the report? Overall transit ridership remains down about one-third from its 2019 level and appears to be leveling off at this reduced rate. This is due to more people working from home after the pandemic as well.
c.
Within the report, what technologies or strategies are mentioned as potential ways to improve transportation safety? Front and rear automatic breaking and automatic breaking with pedestrian detecting have been 30 to 50 percent effective in avoiding front and rear crashes.
d.
Could you provide insights into the transportation equity and inclusion issues that the report delves into? People of color living in racially segregated communities and on reservations often face disproportionately high constraints in accessing transportation, including significant cost burdens. We need to create equal access to everyone no matter what their race or background is.
e.
What are the anticipated issues, risks, or challenges associated with the implementation of vehicle automation in transportation systems? Feel free to express your own opinions on this matter as well. Driver reliance on commercially available partial automation will reduce engagement and increase distraction and increases weight of EV’s will increase risk to occupants of smaller vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists. Automation also causes many people to lose jobs that require driving and managing transportation systems.