AASHTO TRAC Program

1
AASHTO / TRAC Program

• Midwest Regional Diversity in Transportation
  Workforces Workshop September 23, 2002
• Tate Jackson
• National Manager - AASHTO / TRAC Program

2
Overview

• TRAC - TRAnsportation and Civil Engineering
• A program of the American Association of State
  Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO)
• An Education Outreach Program Designed to
  Interest High School Students in Transportation
  and Civil Engineering Careers

3
National Program

• Headquarters at AASHTO Offices in Washington, DC
• In 27 States
• Growing by 3 States a Year
• Program is in Approximately 900 Schools Across
  the US

4
State Programs

• Local Level Program Housed at State DOT
• Local Universities Participate in Several States
• Pennsylvania
• New York

5
Features Benefits

• Curriculum Enhancement
• Hands On Educational Activities
• Real World Applications of High School Subjects
• Transportation Professionals Visit the Classroom
• Activities Conform with the National Education
  Standards of Learning

6
Applications

• Math - Algebra, Trigonometry, Probability and
  Statistics
• Physics - Motion, Force, Magnetism, Friction,
  Sound
• Social Studies - Civics, Government,
  Transportation in Society
• Technology Education - MagLev Trains, Sim City

7
How Does TRAC Work?

• Schools are Given 1 or more of the 8 TRAC PAC
  Modules
• Teachers and Volunteers are Trained
• Teachers Use TRAC Where it Fits in Their
  Curriculum
• Volunteers Visit The Classroom at Teachers
  Request

8
The Modules

• MagLev
• Bridge Builder
• Sim City
• Motion

9
The Modules cont..

• Construction and Design
• Traffic Technology
• Environmental Engineering
• Highway Safety

10
MagLev

• 5 Activities
• Design Build and Race MagLev Cars
• Newtons First and Second Laws

11
Bridge Builder

• 5 activities.
• ModelSmart Cad Package.
• Students design a structure using the CAD package
• Print out full size plans and then build it.

12
SimCity

• 3 Activities
• Uses SimCity 3000.
• Students learn about Transportation Planning and
  Zoning.

13
Motion

• 5 Activities
• Impulse and momentum.
• Vernier Data Collection Hardware and software.
• Includes a pendulum experiment to help teach
  about collisions.

14
Construction and Design

• Teaches about Traffic Flow
• Roadway Planning
• Cost Estimation
• Geometric Design
• Basic Computer Programming.

15
Traffic Technology

• Teaches Reaction time
• Braking Distance
• Computer Programming
• Spreadsheets

16
Environmental Engineering

• Teaches about Sediment and Erosion Control

17
Highway Safety

• Teaches Accident Rates
• Physics of Momentum and Impulse.

18
Is TRAC Working?

• Yes it is Working.
• The Level of Awareness in Transportation Careers
  among High School Students is Higher Among TRAC
  Students
• Former TRAC Students Tell Us

19
Frequently Asked Questions

• If I spend X amounts of Dollars on TRAC, How
  many engineers will I get?
• I Have Enough Engineers Right Now. Why should I
  invest in a program like TRAC?
• Why Do I Need TRAC?
• I can just send my engineers out to the schools.

20
Questions?
21
Contact Information

• Tate Jackson - Program Manager
• Voice 202-624-5814
• Email - tjackson_at_aashto.org
• Sheri Johnson - Program Coordinator
• Voice - 202-624-5403
• Email - Sherij_at_aashto.org

22
WEBSITE

• WWW.TRAC.NET
• Link to TRAC from AASHTO WEBSITE
• www.transportation.org

23
Mailing Address

• AASHTO - TRAC Headquarters
• 444 North Capital Street, NW
• Suite 249
• Washington, DC 20001
• Fax - 202-624-7788