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.

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

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

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

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

Trains 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

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)

Trucks Transport much of our country’s freight Most convenient way to transport goods

Water Transportation Water has been used to transport people and cargo for centuries

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

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

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)

Passenger Planes Air travel has become so popular that planes have been built to carry 500+ passengers

Cargo Planes Some planes carry only cargo Air transportation is the most expensive way to transport goods

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 Checking auto traffic Transporting people to hospitals

Space Transportation NASA is responsible for regulating and directing the entire US space program Currently consists primarily of unmanned exploration vehicles

Apollo Space Program First Flight – Unmanned – February 26, 1966 Final Flight – Apollo 17 – December 7, 1972

First Lunar Landing – July 20, 1969 Apollo 11 July 16, 1969 – July 24, 1969 First Lunar Landing – July 20, 1969

Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins & Buzz Aldrin Apollo 11 Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins & Buzz Aldrin

First Lunar Landing – July 20, 1969 Apollo 11 The Eagle Buzz Aldrin First Lunar Landing – July 20, 1969

Command Module in Lunar orbit Apollo 11 Command Module in Lunar orbit The Eagle

Apollo 11 Lunar Module leaving the Moon Apollo 11 returns to Earth

Space Shuttle Space Shuttle program:1981 - 2011 The Shuttle was the first reusable spacecraft

Space Shuttle Accidents Challenger January 28, 1986 Columbia February 1, 2003

Exploratory Vehicles Currently, exploratory missions are being done without human crews They carry cameras & other exploratory equipment

Intermodal Transportation Using 2 or more forms of transportation to move people or cargo more efficiently Examples: Bus or car to airport - plane to a coastal city – bus or taxi to dock - then board a cruise ship Cargo is loaded into containers and placed on a ship - then loaded onto a train - then transferred for travel by truck Advantage: Saves time and money because it is very efficient

Automobile Subsystems When all subsystems work together the car functions properly Propulsion: Engine Structure and support: Frame Transfers power from the engine to the axles and wheels: Transmission Guidance: Steering Suspension: Springs & shock absorbers Control: Brakes & Steering Navigation: GPS

Universal System Model Can be used to describe a Transportation System Input Process Output Goal: What you want the system to do Goal: Resources: People, tools & machines, information, time, capital, energy, materials The result that comes out of the system The steps that lead to a result Comparing the result to the original need; adjustments are made to the inputs and/or processes Feedback

Transportation Systems Have inputs, process, outputs & feedback Universal Systems Model of a City Bus System Inputs: Goal (Safe arrival at scheduled stops), Buses, people to operate buses, fuel to provide energy, schedules, passengers Process: Loading passengers, driving the bus Output: Safe arrival at scheduled stops Feedback: Comments from satisfied customers

Transportation System We can use the Universal Systems Model to describe any of these Transportation Systems as well Getting to school on the School Bus / Car Ferryboat trip to Martha’s Vineyard Trip to Florida by Airplane / Train / Car Bus trip to a Case Jr. High away game