(TCT) Moving Along Lesson
Moving Along Lesson
Introduction
Whether we go by land, sea, or air we are moving in a vehicle. Vehicles for transportation have evolved from wagons to trains, from carriages to cars, from sailboats to submarines, and from bicycles to airplanes. Vehicles continue to evolve with greater intelligence, renewable fuels, and for transportation in space.
In this lesson students will learn the subsystems within transportation technology, innovations in transportation technologies, and technologies for alternate fuel vehicles.
Explore
Vehicles are equipped with different technological systems to operate. Regardless of the method of transportation, each type of vehicle has structural, propulsion, suspension, guidance and control subsystems. These different subsystems work together for efficient vehicle operation.
Click through the following to learn more.
Innovations and Improved Technologies
With the goal of making transportation safer and a more efficient the automotive industry continues with technological advancements and improved technologies. Automobiles regularly improve because manufacturers are continually advancing materials and technologies used in vehicles for greater safety and efficiency. However, some areas of technological development are groundbreaking. Take a look at some significant new areas.
Autonomous Ground Vehicles
Automated vehicles offer significant benefits to individuals and society. Unfortunately, in 2015 more than 35,000 people died in motor vehicle related crashes in the US. Motor vehicle crashes are most often caused by human error. Once perfected, driverless vehicles will save lives by reducing accidents caused by distraction. Roads with fully automated vehicles could significantly save travel time and reduce expense of commuting. Full Automation is the classification when vehicles are truly autonomous and the driver can become a passenger.
Automotive Vehicle Safety
Current Technology
Current technologies allow for driver assisted safety features such as cameras, traffic alerts, and automated emergency braking. This means the vehicle is controlled by the driver, but some assist features are included in the vehicle design. The National Highways Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA, part of US Department of Transportation) projects fully automated safety features with highway autopilot will become generally available no sooner than the 2025 model years.
The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) currently proposes 6 automation levels which range from No Automation to Full Automation. Note the NHTSA chart above to determine which level of automation is currently available.
Connected Vehicle Technology
Connected vehicle technology with smart road infrastructure is an international initiative. It is a proposed significant step to full vehicle automation. See the following US DOT video.
Alternative Fuels
Petroleum is the most common fuel source for transportation. However alternative fuel engines are in operation and are being developed. Review the learning object below for the most common alternative fuels.
Challenge
Take Away
Watch aerospace engineers explain their work with wind tunnels and other technologies to design aircraft.
IMAGES CREATED BY GAVS