The future of transportation is ALL SHOOK UP
Research institute off to fast start
By Mike Krings
R Steve Dick/University Relations
Graduate student Timothy Craig sits on the "shaker table," a device that simulates the bumpy ride of a truck driver's seat, or work such as running a jackhammer, as graduate student Joe Soltys monitors the research. The research is one of many innovative projects under way at the Transportation Research Institute. The students work with Sara Wilson, assistant professor of mechanical engineering.
How to solve some of the most pressing problems in transportation has been the $14.5 million question at KU.
In 2005, Sen. Pat Roberts and Rep. Jerry Moran obtained $14.5 million in federal funds to establish the Transportation Research Institute at KU. In June, Bob Honea, a former director of the National Transportation Research Center at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, became the first director, and the institute has hit the ground running.
"Right now we're funding about 15 or 16 projects," Honea said.
The institute has already awarded about $1.3 million, matched by external and in-kind funds of about $2 million to fund research on everything from electric buses and diesel-powered aircraft to hydrogen-powered vehicles, alternative fuels and back strain of truck drivers.
Back injuries are common among truckers. After sitting for hours in a seat and being shaken with every bump in the road, a driver will often get out of the truck, then lift heavy cargo, resulting in a back injury.
Bob Honea
Sara Wilson, assistant professor of mechanical engineering, is researching how to combat the problem. Wilson's research group takes measurements of the spinal cord, muscles and nerve endings in the back. A subject will then sit on a "shaker table," a device that simulates the shaking of a truck driver's seat. After the shaking, more readings are taken to determine what changes, if any, have taken place. The hope is to find a way to prevent injuries, whether it is through exercises, specially designed back braces or improved seat design.
A seemingly more apparent issue in transportation is alternative fuels. The institute has several projects dealing with electric vehicles and alternative fuels.
Taking a new bus
KU engineers are helping the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority test a hybrid bus. They will test emissions from the new bus, unveiled Nov. 1. The Transportation Research Institute and other sources at KU are funding $334,000 for the emissions testing and equipment. For more, visit the press release KU research plugged into hybrid buses in Kansas City.Talking travel
John H. Gibbons, former adviser to President Clinton, will deliver the first lecture in the TRI's Emerging Challenges in Transportation lecture series at 4:30 p.m. Nov. 16 at the Spahr Classroom in Eaton Hall. The public is invited.An electric bus or e-bus project is in development. The hope is to bring an e-bus to campus.
"When I came to KU I saw some of the new buses, as well as the old, and got a face full of diesel fumes. I thought then that an electric bus would be a good idea," Honea said.
The institute is experimenting with an innovative battery charging system. Honea said the hope is to develop technology to charge the bus as it runs. Each time the bus stops, a probe would slide down from below the vehicle and charge the battery. By "topping it off" at each stop, the bus would not have to go out of service at any point.
To power vehicles that wouldn't run on batteries, the institute is researching alternative fuels. Trung Van Nguyen, professor of chemical and petroleum engineering, is researching fuel cells such as hydrogen and biodiesel.
Hydrogen, an extremely small molecule, is difficult to contain. When held in a container made of a substance such as PVC pipe, a large amount of it leaks out through microscopic pores in the material. One potential solution is mixing materials such as clay in with the material to stop the leak.
The challenge of biodiesel is that it takes a lot of energy to produce and has a low yield.
"Ideally you want to be able to use the crop but also the crop residue," Honea said.
Even efficient and alternative fuel powered vehicles need stable roads and bridges to travel on. The institute has several projects geared toward extending the life of such infrastructure.
Jie Han, associate professor of civil, environmental and architectural engineering, is conducting research into geosynthetics, geogrids and geocells, or plastic-like materials that may prolong a roadbed's lifespan.
Kansas has an abundance of expansive soil. The soil expands when wet and contracts when dry, which can cause pavement to buckle. The hope is that the geosynthetics would keep the soil from damaging the pavement and shortening its life.
Bridge decks face a similar problem. Cracks in the concrete allow deicing chemicals and water to leak in, which can significantly shorten the life of the deck. The institute is researching materials that would not crack as easily and prolong a bridge deck's life.
"The name of the game these days is life extension of infrastructure," Honea said.
Honea said his goal is to assist KU faculty and students in conducting research that not only has the potential to solve interesting transportation problems, but also places KU researchers at the forefront in solving our most pressing national transportation issues.
Email Page
Print Page