GRAD MAJOR PROJECT INITIAL RESEARCH
FOREGROUND PHASE
CREATING THE RESEARCH QUESTION
The final year project is the most important project for our portfolios as it will be helpful towards our goals after graduation. I have a goal of doing masters in Automotive and Transportation design and I would like to work on this field.
Even in this age, transportation is still a controversial topic as it is one of the biggest industries affecting the environment and climate change. There are still areas in this industry where good designs can make a big impact on the future of the society and the world we live in and this is why I would like to focus on this area.
How can design improve the transportation experience for the people with the integration of new technologies and simple design solutions?
LITERATURE REVIEW SECTION 1
Economical Trends
The numbers of ultra low emission vehicles(ULEVs) are on a record high as new figures published on 8 September 2016 show the sales are soaring.
The department for Transport figures show 9,657 ULEVs were registered in the UK in the last quarter, an increase of 49% on the same period last year and 253% on 2 years before.
The rise comes following the extension of the plug-in car and van grant scheme, allowing more than 100,000 additional drivers to benefit until at least 2018.
Government is also spending 600 Million GBP in order to support the rise in ULEVs. The aim of this scheme is to achieve the goal of having all the cars and vans to be zero emission by 2050.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/more-drivers-choose-ultra-low-emission-vehicles
In addition to UK government, most of the EU countries have incentives on buying new electric vehicles. In some countries such as Germany and Austria, there are tax reductions or exemptions when buying electric vehicles. Some other governments provide grants that covers a certain percentage of the cars retail price. United States, Canada
The government policies are pushing both the people and the car manufacturers to do their investments on electric vehicle sector.
Despite the controversy going around the automotive sector regarding the climate change, the sector itself is still growing and the sales have increased in the second quarter of 2016.
(market report 1second quarter 2016)
Plug-in hybrid and zero emission emission vehicles with their rising popularity provides a good market for design opportunities as it is a new technology and the competition is growing with more companies investing on electric vehicles.
Social Trends
Ride Sharing-Carpooling
Eco Driving
Eco driving, helping the road users to improve efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions. On the first week of May 2015 The European Automotive Manufacturers Association (ACEA) hosted a series of workshops in order to help daily car and van drivers to use their vehicles more efficiently and reduce the emissions.
European Union also funded a project called EcoWill. This project which ran between 2010-2013 was a joint effort between experts from different EU countries focused on raising awareness of the benefits of eco-driving.
Safety( topic of interest?)
The education of drivers is not just limited for eco-driving. According to WHO road accidents are the second largest cause of death for 15-29 year olds globally, and the highest cause for young men in that age. Even though the young population make up only about 10% of the population in the OECD area, they are involved in more than the quarter of the total accidents.
Design for the safety of the people in this age range could be an opportunity to improve the daily life of the drivers and maybe reduce the number of fatal crashes or serious injuries.
Young people involving in accidents is not the only problem, drink driving is still one of the biggest factors in accidents. Even though the numbers of the drink driving incidents are declining it still makes up of 25% of total accidents.
In addition to alcohol, the mobile phones and other technological devices that distracts the drivers are causing accidents worldwide. Governments all around the world are either completely or partly banning the use of these devices while driving. This issue can also provide a design opportunity by a design that helps drivers maintain their concentration on the road.
Eco Friendly travel
More and more startup companies all around the world are providing platforms for commuters to share their rides with people. BlaBla car, Uber and many other big companies are have introduced ride sharing apps or websites to help cut travel costs, reduce traffic and emissions. A redesign for services or a completely new system approach can be designed for the ride sharing industry as it is a growing sector with many positive benefits.
E-bike (Electric powered bicycles) are becoming more an more popular as the public opinion leans toward a more eco-friendly approach regarding transportation. This alternative type of travel not only helps reduce the emission of CO2 it also helps the user maintain a healthier and more active lifestyle. It is a relatively new sector where design thinking can improve or help grow.
Young Generation Trends( topic of interest)
According to the research published by Frontier Group and OSPIRG Foundation, the younger generation are driving less and choosing alternatives more than their seniors. According to the published report, from 2001 to 2009, the average annual number of vehicle- miles traveled by young people (16 to 34-year-olds) decreased from 10,300 miles to 7,900 miles per capita—a drop of 23 percent. Young people are choosing the alternative options because of the higher gas prices, new licensing laws, improvements in technology that supports alternative transportation and changes in Generation Y’s values and preferences. (Use the statistics in the document) . Decreased driving among young people is also a factor in the rest of the developed countries. In a 2011 study by University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute seven the percentage of young people with licenses have decreased. This shows that the next generation is willing to use the alternative transportation thus opening an area of opportunity for designers to help develop the alternative transportation industry.
Terrorism is on the rise with the recent attacks in Middle East, Europe, North America and Asia. According to the research paper published in 2015 by the San Jose State University, the terror tactics of terrorist organisations have shifted towards attacking surface transportation. Terrorists continue to see the surface transportation as soft targets where they can do cause high casualties. A higher percentage of the attacks have been made towards buses and bus stations where it caused high casualties. A lower percentage of the attacks were directed towards trains and train stations, where number of casualties were lower. This brings the question of security in the public transportation. A preventive design towards bus stops, train stations and vehicles can be developed in order to reduce the effects of terrorist attacks.

Environmental Trends
Air Pollution
According to World Health Organisation air pollution is a major environmental risk to health and transport sector has been accounted for about 23% of global carbon dioxide emissions in 2010 and 27% of end-use energy emissions with urban transport accounting for about 40% of end-use energy consumption. Improving the public and non-motorised transportation alternatives can reduce the amount of emissions. Currently the fuel trend is leaning towards bio fuels and less carbon dioxide emissions with alternative fuels.
Bio Fuels and Alternative Fuels
Although being popular as a cheaper alternative for petrol, diesel emissions contain harmful particulate pollution. In addition, the diesel exhaust has been identified as a carcinogen. World Health Organisation published an article on their website about alternative fuels. According to the article one of the popular alternative fuels is Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) . Compared to diesel fuel, use of CNG instead of diesel fuel can reduce both carbon dioxide and particulate emissions, producing health and climate benefits. The use of CNG is already popular in low and middle income countries as it is also cost effective. Evidence suggests that wider usage of CNG as an alternative to diesel for public transportation and freight could lead to significant benefits.
The use of biofuels in the transport sector has grown however, as a new technology, the benefits are yet unclear. Certain types of bio fuels can contain lower levels of particulate emissions in comparison to petrol however overall impact is still controversial.
Sustainable Urban Transportation (TOI)
In developing cities around the world, lack of urban rapid transit and non-motorised transit systems contribute to an increased traffic and personal vehicle use. The increase of the number of personal vehicles means more carbon dioxide emissions, resulting in dangerous levels of air pollution in the cities thus affecting the health of urban dwellers. According to World Health Organisation (WHO), walking and cycling infrastructures are easy and inexpensive for local authorities to develop. Over time, the rapid transit investments can help support both healthier lifestyle for dwellers by supporting a more active lifestyle and help reduce the emissions.
Study shows that in compact cities that feature developed transit and dedicated walking and cycling networks are more energy efficient and safer for pedestrians and cyclists. According to WHO, long term studies have found 30% lower annual mortality risk among cycle commuters. In addition to this the gains in life expectancy from physical activity in these cities have outweighed increased exposure to injury and pollution.
Technological Trends
Vehicle Technologies
New vehicle technologies in order to reduce health factors such as injuries and air pollution has been under development for the last two decades. One of the major improvements are the lighter , more fuel efficient vehicles that are also safer for passengers.
Rising number of Hybrid, electric and gas fuel private vehicles are also helping reducing the air pollution with either zero or very low emissions.
Finally, the transition towards the alternative fuels in public transportation and freight vehicles are helping to reduce the amount of harmful particle emissions.
Vehicle Safety
Over the past 14 years, the number of road fatalities have been halved thanks to the investments from the industry to the modern vehicle safety features. To further reduce the number of fatalities, the car manufacturers are working on new smart, active safety technologies such as emergency auto-braking systems.
High-Tech Public Transportation
Introduction of high speed public transportation was a huge step for transportation technology. Bullet trains and other high speed trains that are being used around the world are helping people travel longer distances in shorter time periods. With newer concepts the high speed transportation will take a step further, introduction of Hyperloop by famous entrepreneur Elon Musk received the attention of media and public. The project promises a new magnetic rail system and a travel speed of 800 miles per hour. In addition to Hyperloop, MagLev trains ( Magnetic Levitation) are also becoming more popular. Already in operation in Japan and Shanghai, these trains can travel with a speeds up to 310 miles per hour.
Autonomous driving
Connected Vehicle Technology
LITERATURE REVIEW SECTION 2