Re: Progress of Final Recommendation Report

R,Dr. Jo Mackiewicz

From: 123456789

Date: 3/31/04

Re: Progress of Final Recommendation Report

Introduction

The purpose of this report is to update you on the progress of my report on Human Powered Vehicles and their use as a solution for transportation problems. I have conducted research through internet databases to journal articles, both online and in print on the topic of human powered transportation. I find that by far the most popular form of transportation is by automobile [1]. I am comparing 4 types of human powered vehicles pedestrians, inline skates, upright bicycles, and recumbent bicycles with one another, automobiles, and mass transit. I have found that human powered modes of transportation are more efficient than either public transportation or the automobile. I find 5 criteria to be most important (1) cost (both initial cost as well as ongoing), (2) convenience, (3) reliability, (4) safety, and (5) speed. Secondary research has been the largest portion of my work so far. I have also completed the primary research and I am beginning to draft the final paper. This report describes the work completed, work in progress, and work remaining.

Discussion

Work Completed:I have conducted research on the topic. Secondary research shows that about 85% of workers in the U.S. drive automobiles to work while about 4.5% use human powered forms of transportation, with 5.3% using public transportation [1]. Searches of online databases led me to the book Human Powered Vehicles [2]. This book is actually a collection of articles by several different authors on the various types of human powered vehicles. One article compares the speed of different vehicles with the amount of power used [3] this points to efficiency. Recumbent bicycles (HPVs) are the most efficient modes followed by upright bicycles, then skates, and finally pedestrians. I have found commuter and safety statistics from the websites the US Census Bureau [4], the Nationwide Personal Transportation Survey [5], and the Bureau of Transportation Statistics [6]. I have written paraphrased summaries for the sources I find useful. As primary research I have analyzed my personal commuting habits. I use my bicycle to commute whenever possible, and my car the rest of the time. Driving my car for 1 week costs $10-$15, depending on the price of gas. A slight increase in the amount of food I need to eat is the only weekly cost of riding my bicycle.

Work In Progress:Currently I am in the process of analyzing the data and beginning to write the first draft of the report. Analysis of the statistical data from the government websites is taking a significant amount of time. I am also attempting to find any other sources that will fill in the gaps in my secondary research. I am developing a bibliography of my sources. I am revisiting all of my online sources to make sure that they are up to date. If I had to reach a conclusion today, I would say that the upright bicycle is the best human powered solution to the transportation problem. For some specific situations the other modes might be better, but on average the upright bicycle is best. The bicycle is cheaper to operate than a car, and may be slower or faster than a car depending on the specific situation. The bicycle is more convenient than mass transportation because you don’t need to adhere to the schedule and you can go to more places.

Work Remaining:The main part of the remaining work is drafting the paper. I need to compile all of my data and actually compose the first draft. I expect that placing all of my data in logical order will reveal places that more research is necessary. I will assess the content of the first draft and research any topics that need further support or emphasis. I also need to find and or develop some graphics that will further reader comprehension. I will begin the remaining work once I am finished with this progress report.

Conclusion

I have used online databases to find sources related to human powered transportation topics. I found both print and online sources that specifically address these topics. I have assessed my costs and benefits based on the mode of transportation. I am in the process of analyzing my sources and their validity. I am continuing research and developing a bibliography. I need to begin composing the final recommendation report, fill in gaps in the research and revise to make a final version. I am slightly behind the schedule outlined in the proposal, but that is not a problem since I allowed plenty of time to draft the paper. Figure 1 is the Gantt chart I used in the proposal, modified to show the Work Completed, Work in Progress, and Work Remaining.

Tasks

Completed In Progress Remaining

Figure 1. Final Report Schedule

References

[1] US Census Bureau.” Means of Transportation to Work for the U.S.” [.txt file]. [Cited 2004, April 1]. Available from <

[2]Human Powered Vehicles. A. V. Abbott and D. G. Wilson, Ed. Champaign, IL.

Human Kinetics. 1995.

[3]A. V. Abbott and D. G. Wilson. “Human Power Transfer to Modern Vehicles.”

In Human Powered Vehicles. A. V. Abbott and D. G. Wilson, Ed. Champaign,

IL. Human Kinetics. 1995. pp 29-45.

[4] US Census Bureau. “Helping You Make Informed Decisions” [WWW page]. [Cited 2004, April 1]. Available from <

[5] US Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration. “National Household Travel Survey” [WWW page]. [Cited 2004, April 1]. Available from <

[6] Bureau of Transportation Statistics. “Numbers to Move People” [WWW page]. [Cited 2004, April 1]. Available from < >.