Summary + Thesis draft 1

Research Pathway:

ChatGPT prompt: How do electric roads work and it's features? Provide references and cite in 7th APA format.

Summary:

Electric roads, also known as electrified roads, are advanced infrastructure systems that transfer electricity from the road to vehicles, enabling dynamic charging while in motion (Kumar & Yadav, 2023). This innovative technology addresses significant challenges faced by electric vehicles (EVs), such as limited battery range and lengthy charging times as mentioned by the same authors. There are three main types of electric road systems (ERS): conductive, inductive, and overhead catenary. Conductive systems rely on physical contact with electrified tracks embedded in the road, exemplified by Sweden's eRoadArlanda, which uses a movable arm to connect vehicles to an electrified rail (European Road Transport Research Advisory Council, 2020). Inductive systems, such as Sweden’s SmartRoad Gotland, use electromagnetic fields to wirelessly charge vehicles via coils buried beneath the road (Schwirzke, Albrecht, & Jepsen, 2022). Overhead catenary systems, like Germany's eHighway project, use overhead wires to charge trucks via a pantograph (Kumar & Yadav, 2023).Electric roads offer several advantages, including dynamic charging that reduces reliance on stationary chargers, improved energy efficiency, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions, making them an essential tool for decarbonization (European Road Transport Research Advisory Council, 2020). They also integrate smart technologies such as traffic and weather sensors (Schwirzke et al., 2022). However, challenges such as high installation costs, maintenance requirements, and the need for standardization hinder widespread adoption. Despite these obstacles, electric roads have the potential to revolutionize transportation by enabling sustainable and efficient EV charging (Kumar & Yadav, 2023).

Thesis Statement:

With features such as dynamic charging pods and smart infrastructure, electric roads are poised to be the future of transportation by enhancing energy efficiency, reducing carbon emissions and enabling the widespread use of electric vehicles in daily travels.

References:

European Road Transport Research Advisory Council. (2020). Electric road systems: A solution for more sustainable road freight transport. Retrieved from https://www.ertrac.org

Kumar, R., & Yadav, S. (2023). Electric road systems: Recent advancements, challenges, and future trends. Energy Reports, 9, 197-208. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egyr.2023.01.022

Schwirzke, M., Albrecht, F., & Jepsen, T. (2022). The evolution of inductive electric roads: A technological perspective. Journal of Transportation Technology, 13(4), 115-127. https://doi.org/10.1016/jtrantech.2022.03.008 

Dewey’s Model of Reflective Thought and Action

 Ideal: Being on track in my studies.

Reality: I often procrastinate, I would always go on my phone or have hours of me time after returning home.

Causes/Conditions: I most of the time unable to review what I learn in the day and would often leave it to the weekends where I have already compiled a lot of my workload.

Results: I struggled to complete my workload and is behind schedule.

Goal: I want to aim to be able to complete what I learn in the day on the day itself.

Possible change: After I go home, I review my content first and use my phone after I completed to reward myself.

Testing the hypothesis: I tried using this method last week.

Outcome of change: I was able to stay on task.

Formal introductory letter

Subject: Introduction letter

Dear Professor Blackstone,

I am Sandra and I am writing this letter for you to get to know me better given that it has only been a week since we met. I was from the science stream in junior college and graduated last year. One thing for sure that led me to choose engineering in university is my passion for mathematics and science. I remembered enjoying building legos and blocks since I was younger as I was fascinated by building structures around me. These eventually led me to study civil engineering now.

One strength about me in the communication area is that I am an active listener. I will empathize with others - understanding their feelings and where they are coming from when talking to them. However, my weakness is that I get anxious presenting to a large group of individuals and have difficulty expressing myself as a result. I am daunted by the attention given to me when I am presenting. Having a large group of individuals making eye contact with me is something that scares me. It will also affect my speech ability as a result.

Thus, two things that I hope to achieve in this module is having the confidence to present and also being able to hone my critical thinking. I tend to not think so much about the why and how of decisions made. To put simply, I am simple-minded. I would like to be able to gain the ability to think critically and put forward my ideas.

In essence, I believe that what I would like to achieve needs to be a long-term effort. I would continue working on my weakness and eventually being more confident with myself. This is what makes me me - I am resilient and is focused when it comes to achieving my goals.

Thank you for taking the time to read my letter as I look forward to learning from you and hone my critical thinking skills and presentation skills.

Best regards,

Sandra

(edited on 8th feb)

(Read and commented on Peck Shien, Eliz and Fatris letters)

Introductory Quote

 “Employers identify communication as one of the basic competencies every graduate should have, asserting that the ability to communicate is valuable for obtaining employment and successful job performance.” - Sherwyn Morreale, Michael Osborn & Judy Pearson, Professors of Communication (2000)

This quote by Sherwyn Morreale, Michael Osborn & Judy Pearson just proves the great importance of communication in workplace. There is a growing consensus among employers that success is driven by strong communication skills. Having strong communication skills is critical to day-to-day job performance and career development in the future as well, instead of just for the sole purpose of helping individuals to land a job. Communication is the bridge between individuals, teams, and organizational goals. Without effective communication, even the most gifted employees can struggle to perform their roles or contribute meaningfully to company’s objectives.

In real-life applications, what makes teamwork is communication between individuals. Teams are comprised of individuals with diverse skills, opinions, and work styles. For a team to function cohesively, each member must be able to express ideas, ask questions, clarify misunderstandings, and give feedback. Without clear communication, these efforts may become fragmented, causing confusion, delays, and reduced productivity. For example, in a project team, if one member doesn’t communicate a delay in their task, the entire team might fall behind. Similarly, if team members do not clearly express their ideas or actively listen to one another, the team’s output would be disjointed and ineffective.

In essence, effective communication ensures that all team members are aligned, resources are used efficiently, and goals are pursued cohesively. It also promotes a positive, collaborative work environment, where everyone feels heard and valued. Strong communication skills, therefore, not only help individuals perform better but also enable the team to succeed as a whole.