The Science and Engineering of Designing Safer Vehicles: Achieving Vision Zero with Data Mining, Biomechanics, and Simulation

Faculty Advisor: Ph.D. in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Center for Applied Biomechanics (CAB) in University of Virginia

Research Program Introduction

What is Vision Zero? Each year, more than a million people are killed on roadways around the world. Vision Zero is a global movement to end traffic-related fatalities and serious injuries by taking a systemic approach to road safety. According to the United Nations (UN) Decade of Action in reducing traffic injury, designing safe vehicles is one of the five important pillars in achieving Vision Zero.

This research program will provide an opportunity for middle school students (7th-9th graders) to learn effective research and writing skills through a project focused on the science and engineering of designing safer vehicles. Vehicle design is an excellent framework to use to understand the design of complex systems. Students will be introduced to the fundamentals of designing safe vehicles and the state-of-the-art safety technologies. Students can leverage these advanced technologies to perform in-depth research and analysis of crash data, develop design specifications, and propose design features to mitigate certain injuries.

In this practicum, students will learn about the five pillars of road safety: road safety advocacy, infrastructure, safe vehicles, road user behavior, and post-crash care. Important biomechanical principles and design concepts will also be introduced in this program. The instructor will guide students to brainstorm and develop their own ideas, verify the feasibility of the ideas, and implement their ideas in design. Students will also learn to navigate relevant sources, identify research gaps, and write a short report based on research findings.

During the first half of the program, students will choose their own individual research topics related to safer vehicle design under instructor guidance. For example, students may choose to write about airbag placements to mitigate knee injuries during frontal crashes. Then students will learn to take a strong argumentative stance, cite detailed evidence from appropriate sources, and clearly differentiate between their own design and existing features. Students will also learn subject-specific research and writing skills.

As a final product, students will write a 3 to 5-page research proposal, including illustrative figures, on their topic of choice. Students will also give a 3 to 5-minute presentation about their project during the final session of the program.

Program Details

• Cohort size: This cohort is limited to 5 to 10 students

• Duration: 12 weeks

• Workload: Around 3 hours per week (including class and homework time)

• Target students: 7 to 9th graders interested in STEM subjects. Students must be fluent in English and demonstrate self-management skills. This project is best for students with genuine curiosity in the subject, diligence, and initiative.