Developing Innovative Technologies to Improve UF Student Life

On March 30th, 2020 we received an RFP from the University of Florida Office of Sponsored Research funded by the US Department of Commerce and the US Department of Energy. The RFP was to assist in the development of any new and innovative technologies that would improve the quality of life for University of Florida students. Attached is our proposal in response to the RFP.

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The constant need for transportation among college students is essential for getting around campus to attend classes and meetings. Despite this, the public transportation systems in place are inefficient and have not seen many improvements in years. This was the inspiration for our project where we want to introduce autonomous vehicles on UF's campus as a means of public transportation for students. Autonomous vehicles will revolutionize how the world travels, however, the research and development that still needs to be done regarding this technology is vast. Starting out, these vehicles would only follow a route similar to that of the UF buses but could eventually expand to all of campus or the surrounding area as the technology improves. By initially limiting the route of the vehicles, their exposure to random variables on the road will be lower to allow improvement of the fundamentals of what goes into driving.

Autonomous vehicles will affect everyone for the better as accidents will decrease while people are able to enjoy their commute again. Therefore, by allowing companies to gather data on how their vehicles navigate the closed environment of UF's campus, UF will be directly assisting in the research and development of this technology, thereby benefiting not only UF students but the world as a whole. We look forward to hearing from you. We can be contacted through email at

Title PageAutonomous Vehicles on Campus

__________________________________________________________________

Providing a means of research on Autonomous Vehicles

Saahr Edouard, Gitaek Lee, Colin Naehr, Zachry Scorer

April 22, 2020

229 MAE Building B,

Gainesville, FL 32609

Abstract:It is for this purpose of this study to implement a system of self- driving cars on the University of Florida's campus and to solve the problem of outdated and limited transportation options for economic sustainability at the University of Florida. The results of this paper will help in the establishment of self-driving cars on the University of Florida's campus. The paper will also provide information about the importance of self-driving cars and its positive impacts. Technological advancements in the motor vehicle industry have led to new inventions and improved mechanical devices. Autonomous vehicles are one of the major sectors in the motor vehicle world that are leading the industry. The innovation of autonomous cars has shown advancement in technology and can pave the future of vehicles with computer integration. A plan and budget are established to ensure the realistic creation of the proposal and also a clear path towards achieving this goal. Contrary to popular belief, the use of autonomous vehicles proves to be superior to conventional transportation and our findings will prove the use of such vehicles can assist the well-being of all who use public transportation on the university's campus.

Executive Summary:

One large complaint for many students and faculty on the University of Florida campus is the lack of parking. For this reason, many of them choose instead to rely on the currently outdated public transportation system. As of now this consists primarily of Student Nighttime Auxiliary Patrol vehicles (SNAPs) and the bussing system. SNAPs are older Ford vans, whilst the bussing system utilizes loud diesel busses. Many students and faculty look down upon the current public transportation system, choosing the private sector instead. It is not within the University's best interest that the public transportation system should only be used when higher luxuries cannot be afforded. Many European countries, for example, have abundantly used transportation systems that are respected by both their users and outsiders. Therefore, we propose a system of self-driving cars to the transportation sector. This would give the university not only national spotlight for using an emerging technology to revamp outdated systems, but also attract new engineering students who will see the University of Florida's capabilities.

Self-driving cars have been an idea for a very long time, but something that was always aspiration. Even now, having a country with roads full of self-driving cars is many years away, but on the limited space of a college campus, self-driving cars are a possibility. This industry has grown massively within the last few years, with some of the largest companies in the world investing in this emerging technology. (Among these companies are car manufacturers, such as Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, and General Motors, as well as technology giants, such as Google) [3]. To achieve the possibility of having self-driving cars on campus, we would develop a partnership with a manufacturer, such as one of those above, due to the budget constraints of developing an emerging technology. Not only would this allow the university to achieve something beyond its budget but developing a connection with one of these developers of self-driving cars could lead to students more easily achieving internships, co-op experience, or career positions after graduation. There are also many benefits to autonomous driving systems other than those that are obvious on the surface. They are safer, due to the removal of human error. This leads to a reduction in traffic, and therefore automobiles will spend less time on the road, which in turn causes a reduction in emissions, especially if electric cars are used [4].

Table of Contents: TOC \h \u \z Letter of Transmittal PAGEREF _Toc38482424 \h 1Title Page PAGEREF _Toc38482425 \h 2Abstract: PAGEREF _Toc38482426 \h 3Executive Summary PAGEREF _Toc38482427 \h 4Table of Contents PAGEREF _Toc38482428 \h 5Problem Statement PAGEREF _Toc38482429 \h 6Literature Review PAGEREF _Toc38482430 \h 8Technical Plan PAGEREF _Toc38482431 \h 11I. Infrastructure for Electric Vehicles PAGEREF _Toc38482432 \h 12II. Obtaining the Autonomous Shuttles PAGEREF _Toc38482433 \h 13III. Testing PAGEREF _Toc38482434 \h 14IV. Feedback PAGEREF _Toc38482435 \h 15Budget and Schedule PAGEREF _Toc38482436 \h 15Budget PAGEREF _Toc38482437 \h 15Schedule PAGEREF _Toc38482438 \h 16Evaluation Plan PAGEREF _Toc38482439 \h 17References PAGEREF _Toc38482440 \h 19

Table of Figures:

TOC \h \u \z

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Problem Statement:On March 1st, 2020 we received an RFP from the University of Florida's Office of Sponsored Research. The reason for the RFP is the potential discovery of new research in developing technologies; the RFP is funded through grants from both the US Department of Commerce and the US Department of Energy. The goal of the RFP is to create an innovative method to help improve the economic, environmental, or social problems facing Americans today. Our proposal is to implement a system of self-driving electrically powered cars on the University of Florida's campus, to solve the problem of limited and outdated transportation options for economic sustainability at the University of Florida.

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24555102375366Figure SEQ Figure \* ARABIC 1- busing accident statistics

The constant need for transportation among college students is essentially for timeliness for classes and meetings. However, the use of public transportation and programs such as SNAP are ineffective and slow. Furthermore, the use of conventional vehicles has higher rates of being at fault in accidents [1][4]. Safety should be the main priority of students on campus, but safety rates of human transport are high, as 90% of crashes are due to human error [4]. The unbroken route of buses is ineffective when needed for general travel of large masses [2][3]. The need for safer and more effective travel has never been more of a concern than today and this can be solved with the use of self-driving transportation [5]. The creation of autonomous vehicles will revolutionize how the world travels; however, the costs of these vehicles can be excessive. Therefore, we propose the University of Florida allow companies to use their own autonomous vehicles on campus to gather data on the vehicles in the closed environment of UF's campus. In this paper we will show how the use of third-party companies can ease the financial strain on the University and stay in budget all while operating an autonomous vehicles system on campus.

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The growth of the industry itself rose considerably in the matter of 10 years and continues to grow exponentially [3]. It is already been predicted that by 2030 that autonomous vehicles will be the main source of transportation in the world for public transportation [3]. Additionally, many companies have invested millions on the technology with Nissan, Audi, Google, General Motors, and Mercedes Benz being the frontrunners [4]. The use of such vehicles would not only assist in the improvement of public transport on campus but showcase the university as a pioneer of technological advances. The fundamental need for mass public approval is needed for the technology to expand; and the use of such technology on a recognized school would help the push the agenda. The image portrayed on UF would be one of achievement as we would be the first to enlist electrically powered self-driving vehicles on campus. The university would establish itself with an image that pursues unwavering technological advancement. Moreover, the positive implications that stem from the use of these vehicles would be immense. The campus would be a safer environment. The carbon emissions on campus would decrease dramatically. The congestion of rush hour traffic would also become nonexistent as is it shown that a fully autonomous system could free capacity of roads up to 367% [4]. Having the university adopt this technology is the next step for the industry as it is finally coming out of its prototype stage and into realistic possibility. The financially gain to be had is extreme with the university using these vehicles essentially for free and having numerous positive outcomes because of it. With a system of autonomous vehicles on campus UF would bolster its reputation and primarily enhance transportation on campus.

Literature Review:Figure 2- predicted interior of autonomous vehicle

21188461695113With the invention of the autonomous vehicle industry many technological advancements and mechanical devices have improved as a result. Today production of autonomous cars is at the forefront of the technological automotive world and strives to be a technology for the masses in the years to come. Many speculate if the technology is needed and plenty have said it is too new. However, the decades of research of this technology prove otherwise. Safer vehicles, more efficient transport, and transport of the disabled and elderly are only a few of the positive implications autonomous vehicles could bring. INCLUDEPICTURE "https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/eObf50mx_k3kY1Y4tmERgVXHIpawfi8AEEu1faO-GEnki-odNJfDM5AGlcuzpcqyI-yC__4GPWFWCTr2EtRG7AfSlh2je3rhu0sNgyL1jR6vHVSHNyDuypNh1WB16A3Sx1-iYR-d" \* MERGEFORMATINET

Safer travel is essential for any type of transport. Autonomous vehicles have been proven on multiple occasions to be the safest form of travel on l...