STRIDE Classroom Module
To improve transportation safety in the Southeastern United States, it is critical that we train the next generation of engineers to be concerned with safety and knowledgeable about techniques to improve safety. Whether the engineers go on to work for state departments of transportation, technology firms, manufacturing companies, or service providers, they will all be able to improve transportation safety for themselves and their company.
HSEL Co-Director Lesley Strawderman received funding from STRIDE (Southeastern Transportation Research, Innovation, Development and Education Center) to develop, pilot-test, refine, and disseminate an educational module in transportation safety. The educational module is aimed at undergraduate engineering students, whose exposure to this topic is extremely limited, if they are exposed at all. The module incorporates a number of items, including lecture material (both instructor and student versions), in class activity, and laboratory exercises.
The student learning objectives of the module are critical to measuring its success. After completing the module in a course, students will be able to:
- Describe the impact of safety in terms of physical safety, economics, and productivity.
- Interpret data that explains the importance of transportation safety.
- Understand the need for inclusive design for special populations.
- Understand the impact of individual ability and performance on transportation safety outcomes.
- Interpret guidelines for designing while considering safety, including the Highway Safety Manual.
- Describe how they can use their knowledge and skills to improve transportation safety in their field of study.
- Identify technology (both vehicle and infrastructure) that are designed to improve safety.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of a specific piece of technology with regards to safety.
The learning module includes a number of items intended to supplement existing courses in engineering curricula. These items include:
- Lecture material (instructor and student versions). Class time estimate: 45 minutes.
- In class activity. Class time estimate: 15 minutes.
- Laboratory exercises. Class time estimate: 2 hours.
