Tunneling through Technology – bESTology Week 7

Image: energy.gov

Tunneling through Technology – bESTology Week 7

We begin in the early 1900’s with World War I generating the need for truck use and development. This need led almost immediately to truck manufacturing, long-distance shipments, inflated tires and faster speeds.  By the 1920’s, over one million trucks were on America’s roads.

This week’s bESTology focuses on ways transportation improvements are made in the 21^st century and how the improvements are influenced by technology.  Transportation improvements are based on but not limited to safety (bESTology Week 5), energy efficiency (bESTology Week 2), road surfaces (bESTology Week 3), aerodynamics and traffic concerns.

Much of the newest technology involves models and simulations.  This technology can predict how efficient a vehicle will be while traveling at high speeds vs. the urban setting, where often a vehicle is sitting in traffic.  Of course, aerodynamics is of interest while a vehicle is in motion.

Image: peterbilt.com

Resources:

• Modeling and Simulation 101
• Wind tunnel – According to Wikipedia
• Modeling and Simulation – According to Wikipedia
• Futuristic “Big Rigs”
• Trucks, Wind Tunnels, CAD and more
• The Secrets to Better Fuel Economy based on Physics
• Build your own Wind Tunnel – by NASA
• Wind Tunnel Resource Site
• Simutrans – build your own city and transportation systems with this game
• The History of the Trucking Industry in the U.S. – According to Wikipedia
• History of the Trucking Industry

Brainstorm:

As an urban planner or traffic engineer, brainstorm how modeling and simulation can be used when creating: new streets or street improvements; automobile and truck design; and transportation movements.

Continue brainstorming with a focus on aerodynamics, wind and wind tunnels.  Consider the geography of America and determine if the trucking industry takes into consideration windy areas of the country when calculating fuel costs. Did you know that head winds and cross winds can increase fuel consumption up to 13%?  Debate whether or not fuel costs due to wind impact would be greater traveling north from Texas to North Dakota or traveling the same route heading south.  Discuss how wind tunnels, models and simulations play a role in truck designs to become more fuel-efficient. 

Writing: 

Construct a timeline from the early 1900’s to the 21^st century illustrating the advancements in truck manufacturing.  At each time point, write a short paragraph, or include a picture, explaining the newest technology included on the vehicle based on safety and aerodynamics. 

BEST Robot:

BEST has many proud partners; this week we spotlight MathWorks, SolidWorks, Wolfram Mathematica and ROBOTC.  Determine how each of their products is connected with modeling and simulation. List features and elements on your robot (your product) and how your team could enhance product (robot) development in the future by using their products. If your school has a 3-D printer or a wind tunnel, discuss how this technology can be utilized in your team’s product (robot) development.

Community Connection:

Invite a “big rig” truck and driver to visit your school or plan a visit to a local truck dealership.  Use this unique learning experience to gather knowledge around –

• modern technology used inside of the cab of the truck compared to 10, 20 or even 50 years ago
• fuel consumption based on geography and wind
• aerodynamic improvements on the truck compared to 10, 20 or even 50 years ago
• restrictions or limitations on trucks when traveling highways vs. urban settings, particularly in your community
• safety in the trucking industry
• training for the driver
• careers in the trucking industry

Bloom’s Taxonomy: consider, construct, debate, determine, discuss, explain, illustrate, list, plan, write

Workforce Skills: reading comprehension, active listening, critical thinking, writing, systems analysis, science, technology design

Correlates with Modeling and Me   bESTology Week 4 – 2013