Transportation Technology

Learning Standards 6. Transportation Technologies Transportation technologies are systems and devices that move goods and people from one place to another across or through land, air, water, or space. 6.1 Identify and compare examples of transportation systems and devices that operate on or in each of the following: land, air, water, and space. 6.2 Given a transportation problem, explain a possible solution using the universal systems model. 6.3 Identify and describe three subsystems of a transportation vehicle or device, i.e., structural, propulsion, guidance, suspension, control, and support.

2. Engineering Design Engineering design is an iterative process that involves modeling and optimizing to develop technological solutions to problems within given constraints. 2.6 Identify the five elements of a universal systems model: goal, inputs, processes, outputs, and feedback. Iterative:repeating Learning Standards

Learning Objectives At the conclusion of the lesson the student will be able to: 1)Define Transportation technology 2)Compare & contrast land, air, water & space transportation 3)Use the Universal Systems Model of technology to explain a transportation system 4)Describe a transportation system & it’s subsystems

5) Define & describe the Universal Systems Model 6) Understand & explain the parts of the Universal System Model 7) Describe and explain the difference between an Open Loop System & a Closed Loop System Learning Objectives

Transportation Technology System: A group of parts that work together in an organized way to complete a task Device:Something made for a particular purpose Systems & devices that move goods & people from one place to another across or through… Land Air Water Space

Land Transportation Personal Transportation Cars, Motorcycles, Bicycles Moves individuals or small groups of people People purchase & maintain their own vehicles People control their own schedules Mass Transportation Buses, Trains, Subways Moves many people at one time & available to the general public Companies purchase & maintain the vehicles Operates on a set schedule

Mass Transportation Tradeoffs of using Mass Transportation: Mass Transportation is not as popular in the US as in other countries Positives Reduces Traffic Saves fuel Better for environment Negatives Slower Less convenient Less personal freedom

Railroads earn most of their money transporting freight Trains Large/heavy items are usually carried by train

Trains also carry passengers Intercity passenger railroad in the US is operated by AMTRAK Less than 1% of all intercity passengers in the US travel by train Trains

In some countries - trains carry up to 50% of intercity passengers Trains

High Speed Trains All-electric Travel at mph Called “Bullet Trains” because of their pointed shape Popular in Europe & Asia The first one in the US was the Acela Express (AMTRAK) - began use in 2000 Travel from Boston to Washington DC in 6 1/2 hours

Commuter trains & subways transport people in & around major cities Trains

Maglev Trains Magnetic Levitation - Train doesn’t touch the track - no wheels Propelled by magnets Floats 1 inch above it’s track so it provides a very smooth, quiet, fast ride (270 MPH) Only a few experimental tracks have been built in the US because.... They are expensive to build & train travel is not popular in the US

Trucks can go directly from the supply location to the customer Transport much of our country’s freight Trucks

Trucks are not very aerodynamic because of their size & shape so they use a lot of fuel Wind Deflectors Trucks help save fuel by reducing air resistance (Drag) Since fuel cost is passed on to the consumer it is important make trucks as aerodynamic as possible

Water Transportation Passenger ships/boats transport people Cargo ships transport things (oil, grain, iron ore, automobiles, etc.) Water has provided transportation routes for centuries

Ships Therefore... Ships deliver most of the overseas cargo leaving or entering the US Water transportation is usually the least expensive way to transport goods

Air Transportation Airplanes: the most important part of our air transportation system

Air Transportation Air is the most complex transportation system because so many planes are in the air at one time The government controls air travel (FAA)

The Wright Brothers December 17, 1903 Kitty Hawk, North Carolina First manned airplane flight

In response to public demand for air travel planes can now carry 500+ passengers Powerful engines allow them to carry a lot of fuel which means that they can stay in the air for long periods of time Airplane Travel Today

Cargo Planes Some planes carry only cargo Cannot carry as much cargo as a ship or train Transporting goods by air is very expensive Usually only lightweight items (electronics or mail) are shipped by air

Helicopters Aircraft with one or two rotors that allow it to lift straight up Helicopters can reach places that other types of transportation cannot Used for: Pipeline inspections Delivering parts to construction sites Checking auto traffic Transporting people to hospitals