Transport 1 Position Paper
This short position paper was written for an Introduction to Transportation Systems course during my third year of undergraduate studies. The course introduces the basics of transportation engineering, transportation economics, planning, geometric design and the impacts of transportation engineering. As part of it, we were required to take a position on a debate in modern transportation planning by utilizing essential academic research skills.
The paper required to establish a clear stance on a modern transportation issue. I chose to demonstrate how automated vehicles can be a viable solution to a major transportation problem of congestion in the urban environment. The report provides an explanation of engineered strategies that automated vehicles can use, such as utilizing vehicle-to-vehicle communication, in-lane techniques and better navigation, to assist in mitigating road congestion. The strategies provided are supported by numerous academic studies.
The 500-word limit on this paper required being concise and informative. The short length of the paper has allowed me to communicate the impact of automated vehicles on the road effectively without being extensive. The research for the paper was done by seeking out credible findings by academics in various universities from online libraries that contain peer-reviewed journals such as JSTOR. Summarizing the technical systems in place that support my argument of the positive impacts of automated vehicles allowed me to utilize the necessary communication skills needed for the engineering profession.