Suzanna Long

Abstract: In May of 2008, the Missouri Department of Transportation installed a “Variable Speed Limit”(VSL) system along the I‐270/I‐255 corridor in St. Louis. This project evaluated the VSL system and its potential impacts and benefits to the transportation users. The ...

ABSTRACT A combination of high fuel costs, concerns about petroleum availability, and air quality issues related to fossil fuel-based vehicles are driving interests in electric vehicles (EVs). In this article, we conduct an integrative literature review to assess the global EV battery raw material supply chain, and identify potential issues with the security and supply of lithium for production of lithium ion batteries. State-of-the-Art Matrix Analysis (SAM) is used to characterize literature into major areas of concern including resources/reserves, supply and demand, geopolitical environment, and recycling. Furthermore, we develop a lithium supply chain model that provides a framework with which to investigate the technical, geopolitical, and economic factors that impact the supply of lithium through different life cycle stages. Results of this research will provide the engineering manager with a better understanding of issues surrounding the lithium supply chain for EVs, and will facilitate decision-making.

ABSTRACT In this case study, we explore the dynamics of change management and organizational effectiveness. The experiences of a government agency with oversight authority in implementing a major technology initiative are discussed. The introduction of change is frequently met with resistance, especially if that change involves a re-engineering of basic work processes. Research suggests that employee motivation and morale in the face of major change initiatives can be impacted by leadership style. The normative decision model outlines how situational variables such as communication patterns, timing, and perceived need for change alter the level of participative decision making required for employee acceptance. Organizational change management strategies that include clear communication plans and training will meet with higher levels of employee satisfaction and acceptance. This article explores the application of theory in practice. Change management procedures are evaluated from the perspective of lessons learned. Knowledge about this change effort in the form of lessons learned offers insight that may prove useful to engineering managers faced with managing technology-driven change in organizations with high percentages of employees with non-technical backgrounds.

ABSTRACT Engineering managers are managers who have an understanding of both the technical and business aspects of organizations; however, the success of an engineering manager depends on being knowledgeable in both the business and technical functions of an organization. Many lead teams of their peers which are purely technical. There is a perception that engineers lack the people skills that are needed to be effective communicators, conflict resolvers, and leaders. Defensive routines are actions implemented as a result of being in an embarrassing or threatening situation. The goal of this research is to determine if defensive routines are more prevalent in engineering managers or non-engineering managers. The analysis was performed through a case study approach using a pre-determined situation. The results show that defensive routines are not more common in engineering managers than in non-engineering managers.

The impacts of extreme events continue long after the emergency response has terminated. Effective reconstruction of supply chain strategic infrastructure (SCSI) elements is essential for post-event recovery and the reconnectivity of a region with the outside. This study uses an interdisciplinary approach to develop a comprehensive framework to model resilience time. The framework is tested by comparing resilience time results for a simulated EF-5 tornado with ground truth data from the tornado that devastated Joplin, Missouri, on May 22, 2011. Data for the simulated tornado were derived for Overland Park, Johnson County, Kansas, in the greater Kansas City, Missouri, area. Given the simulated tornado, a combinatorial graph considering the damages in terms of interconnectivity between different SCSI elements is derived. Reconstruction in the aftermath of the simulated tornado is optimized using the proposed framework to promote a rapid recovery of the SCSI. This research shows promis...

Track inspection, specifically automated ultrasonic inspections of railroad tracks, is one of the most important safety operations that State Department of Transportation and railroad companies need to plan. This study analyzes a track inspection scheduling problem (T ISP) considering the practical constraints and objectives of track inspections. T ISP is a bi-objective binary optimization problem, where the total time to complete the predetermined number of inspections on a given set of railroad tracks is minimized and the total weighted importance of the inspections is maximized. We explicitly consider the track inspection times, the travel times between tracks, and the time required between two consecutive inspections of the same track. Two greedy algorithms are proposed and used to approximate a set of Pareto efficient inspection schedules.

ABSTRACT Despite attempts to generate interest in science and technology careers, US students continue to show reduced interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) majors at the collegiate level. If girls are not engaged in STEM learning by the middle school level, studies show that they are even less likely to choose a science- or engineering-related major. This article presents results from a workshop for 7th and 8th grade girls designed to promote knowledge building in the area of sustainability and alternative energy use in transportation and to stimulate greater interest in STEM subjects. The workshop based on research conducted at University X focused on basic concepts of electric vehicles and electric vehicles’ batteries. Tests were conducted to evaluate the students’ knowledge and perceptions of electric vehicles and to determine the impact of the workshop. Early exposure to meaningful engineering experiences for these young girls may boost interest and the eventual pursuit of engineering and technology education paths.

ABSTRACT Electric Vehicles (EVs) are promoted as a viable near-term vehicle technology to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and resulting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with conventional vehicles (CVs). In spite of the benefits of EVs, several obstacles need to be overcome before EVs will be widely adopted. A major barrier is that consumers tend to resist new technologies that are considered alien or unproved, thus, policy decisions that consider their critical concerns will have a higher level of success. This research identifies potential socio-technical barriers to consumer adoption of EVs and determines if sustainability issues influence consumer decision to purchase an EV. This study provides valuable insights into preferences and perceptions of technology enthusiasts; individuals highly connected to technology development and better equipped to sort out the many differences between EVs and CVs. This group of individuals will likely be early adopters of EVs only if they perceive them to be superior in performance compared to CVs. These results can guide policymakers in crafting energy and transportation policy. It can also provide guidance to EV engineers' decision in incorporating consumer preference into EV engineering design.

... And for their continual support, I would like to thank the members of my research group: Kiran Rangarajan, Susmitha Akula, Sandhya Gopalakrishnan, Norbert Ziemer, Tyler Lipscomb andIssam Algraiw. I would like to express my gratitude to my parents, Jyothi and Muralidhar ...

... Acknowledgements The authors wish to thank Angela Hedgecock, Siemens Building technologies, Inc., and Kerry Herndon and Ruben McCullers of the US Environmental Protection Agency for their insight as we developed our model. ... 2009. [4] Solvang, W. Increasing eco ...