Questionnaire

This is a copy of the questionnaire I wish to submit to 30 people

Portfolio structure and guide

Page	Contents
Front page	Title
1	Brief
2	Information from research
3	Information from research
4	Information from research
5	My hypothesis
6	PDS
7	PDS
8	Alternative designs
9	Alternative designs
10	Final design sketch
11	Technical drawings
12	Technical drawings
13	Final design 3D render
14	Testing of the design through questionnaire
15	Evaluation

Make something disappear

Abstract

This project will explore the idea of making something disappear to reduce the negative impact it creates. It will examine the use of cars as a method of transport for short distances and ways to deplete the need for cars in urban life. It will look into designing an innovative method of transport that is more environmentally friendly, by studying alternative, greener materials and the re-use of existing materials.

Introduction

It is estimated that there are currently over 600,000,000 passenger cars in the world today. (Worldometers, 2008) this number will only keep rising as population growth continues. It is a well known fact that many of the world cities are overpopulated with fuel hungry cars, and often only a single occupant will be in that vehicle. Studies undertaken by the department for transport have uncovered how around 56 percent of all car journeys are less than five miles in length and that around a quarter are less than two miles (The Department for Transport 2008). These trips could all be completed in a much greener and more energy efficient way, by the majority of people.

In this project we will try to develop an alternative method of transport that could be accepted by the general public, as a viable way to complete many of the shorter distance journeys completed by thousands every day in their cars, from driving to the shops to commuting to work. The use of environmentally friendly and reusable material will be a key factor within the products design.

The design will be self powered utilising a pedal system similar to a bike, but with the advantages of a car in the sense that it will be enclosed, protecting the user from the elements. The design needs to be appealing to the user and incorporate a more relaxed feeling when riding.

Hypothesis

The development of a new pedal powered transport method that people could use for short journeys instead of their cars would have a positive impact on the environment.

Literature review

Stott 2010 states that science clearly indicates that man is the main cause of global warming. Worldometers 2008 estimates that there are over 600 million passenger cars in the world today. Shahan 2010 explain how NASA has determined that automobiles are the largest contributor to climate change and pollution. Lord 2010 shows a photograph of a car exhaust expelling co2 emissions. Marshall 2010 states that we should be adopting more eco friendly methods of transport. McCarthy 2010 expresses his concerns over the Nitrogen emissions from cars which are contributing to nitric acid rain, which can have a detrimental effect on plants and animals.

Jha 2010 says how the use of electric cars alone will not cut carbon emission due to the way in which we make the electricity to fuel them, which in most cases is by burning fossil fuels. Lodal and Sandalow 2009 explain how there is a fundamental limitation of hybrid cars which is that they still require petrol or diesel as fuel. Murphy 2008 believes that there are no apparent new basic technologies that we can rely upon to avoid the crisis of depleting fossil fuels.

Reis 2000 believes that we should all use self powered transport, because it is kinder on the environment, and is better for an individual’s health, both mentally and physically. The Department for Transport 2008 explain how cycling is good for short trips as 41 percent of all trips are less than 2 miles which could easily be cycled in fifteen minutes. They talk further on how a quarter of all car trips are less than two miles and 56 percent are less than 5 miles. But Reis 2000 believes that people like to drive because it allows them to shut other people out of their personal space. Benson 2010 feels it is profoundly sad that people feel the need to use such inefficient methods of transport nowadays.

Research Methodology

Qualitative research will be collected using an open answered questionnaire. It will ask participant to give their views on the positives and negatives of driving cars and riding bicycles. The aim is to establish what the user’s needs are.

The questionnaire will be submitted online to 30 people aged 18 and over. Any information collected from the questionnaire will be completely anonymous.

Existing products will be studied to find the positives and negatives within the design. Improvements can then be transferred to the concept.

A second questionnaire will be used in the final design stages to get 30 people’s opinions of their favourite design from a choice of three. There will also be an option for participants to suggest further improvements to the design.

Ethical implications

There will be ethical implications when asking participants information about their likes and dislikes of cycling and driving. The questionnaire will be submitted as an online form to participants over the age of eighteen and all results will be kept anonymous

The questionnaire asking people’s opinions of the final designs will be anonymous and the results will be studied and submitted as percentages on a pie chart. Any suggested improvements will also be anonymous. All participants will be informed of what the project is about and that their names and personal details will not be recorded.

Gant chart

This chart shows the order in which the project will be undertaken and how much time will be allocated to the various steps.

References / Bibliography

Benson, S. (2010). Too many cars, not enough bikes. Available from: http://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/letters/Too-many-cars-not-enough.4418026.jp [Accessed: September 28, 2010].

Bicycle Helmet Research Foundation (1999). Comparative risk in cycling. Available from: http://www.cyclehelmets.org/1026.html [Accessed: September 27, 2010].

Black, R. (2010). Global population study launched by Royal Society. Available from: http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/climate-change/car-fumes-raise-spectre-of-1980s-revival-nobody-wantsacid-rain-2007835.html [Accessed: September 28, 2010].

Dalton, A. (2010). More commuters drive to work despite millions spent on public transport. Available from: http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/scotland/More-commuters-drive-to-work.6490464.jp [Accessed: September 27, 2010].

Department of Transport (2008). A Sustainable Future for Cycling. Available from: http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/sustainable/cycling/cyclingfuture.pdf [Accessed: September 28, 2010].

Directgov (2010). Causes of climate change human - Met Office review. Available from: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/DG_186095 [Accessed: September 27, 2010].

Ecotravelling (2009). Reducing Unnecessary Travel. Available from: http://www.ecotravelling.co.uk/ReducingUnnecessaryTravel.html [Accessed: September 27, 2010].

Jha, A. (2010). Electric cars cannot cut CO2 emissions on their own, warn engineers. Available from: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/may/25/electric-cars-carbon-emissions [Accessed: September 28, 2010].

Lodal, J. & Sandalow, D.(2009). Plug-In Electric Vehicles : What Role for Washington? Brookings Institution Press, Washington.

Lord, R. (2010). Sustainable Guernsey. Available from: http://www.sustainableguernsey.info/blog/2010/07/guernseys-director-of-environmental-health-pollution-regulation-would-like-your-views-on-air-pollution-regulations/ [Accessed: September 27, 2010].

Mccarthy, M. (2010). Car fumes raise spectre of 1980s revival nobody wants..acid rain. Available from: http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/climate-change/car-fumes-raise-spectre-of-1980s-revival-nobody-wantsacid-rain-2007835.html [Accessed: September 28, 2010].

Murphy, P. (2008). Plan C : Community Survival Strategies for Peak Oil and Climate Change, Pomegranate Press, Beverly Hills.

Reis, C. (2000). Why cars as urban transport are a bad idea. Available from: http://www.async.com.br/~kiko/papers/cars.html [Accessed: September 27, 2010].

Shahan, Z. (2010). NASA Says: Automobiles Largest Net Climate Change Culprit. Available from: http://cleantechnica.com/2010/02/23/nasa-says-automobiles-largest-climate-change-culprit/ [Accessed: September 27, 2010].

Thomas, W. (2008). Why Should I Consider A Hybrid Car?. Available from: http://searchwarp.com/swa302949.htm [Accessed: September 28, 2010].

Williams, M. (2010). People are just too lazy to leave cars behind!. Available from: http://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/news/letters-and-emails/people_are_just_too_lazy_to_leave_cars_behind_1_1163397 [Accessed: September 27, 2010].

Worldometers (2008). Worldometers. Available from: http://www.worldometers.info/about.php [Accessed: September 27, 2010].