Dates: 7/6/11 - 7/7/11
Activities: RTMS, Lit Review, HDS Survey, Drawing Packets
Technical Information: WinRTMS4 Software, MS Excel, MS Word
Reflection: These past few days I've continued to work on the HDS literature review and survey. For the survey, I've been getting responses from people across the United States, and it's pretty neat being the person of correspondence. However, I haven't been getting as many immediate responses as I had hoped. Daniel told me that sometimes a single email, especially in a large government agency like the department of transportation, can be forwarded multiple times before it gets into the hands of the right person who is willing to answer.
I've also been helping Daniel help prep for the HEC (Highway Engineering Concepts) course that ITRE teaches in the fall. Because this is an engineering course, students have several activities that involve drawing in roads. I was tasked with preparing drawing packets for the students. A drawing packet includes drawing tools such as an engineering-grade ruler and protractor. It was interesting to learn how engineers used to design roads before the software for highway design was developed.
Along with the HDS project and HEC prep, I've also been trying to figure out a new software, WinRTMS4, that goes with a new scanning unit ITRE bought. The scanning unit, called an RTMS, is installed on the side of a highway and uses radio waves to detect vehicles. My supervisor, Chris, wants me to try and figure out how to program this software to detect gaps between cars. So far, I haven't made much progress.
The only major frustration I've had at work is dealing with footnotes with MS Word and working with the "linking" feature. However, the more I played around with it, the easier it became. Other than that, everything has been great! I've learned more than I ever thought I would, and it's been nice to be completely immersed in a professional environment.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Entry #6 Education
Dates: 7/1/11 - 7/5/11
Activities: DCD Meeting, HEC
Technical Information: Adobe software, Copy Machine, MS Word
Reflection: I recently went to a meeting with my supervisor, Daniel, and two of my coworkers, Jess and Kristy, about an upcoming data collection. Our team will travel to Alcoa, Tennessee to collect data on a diverging diamond interchange. A diverging diamond is a special type of interchange where traffic travels on the opposite side of the road for a small period of time to improve left lane movement. This type of interchange has been called the "golden ticket", but our Highways Group is trying to determine if the diverging diamond is all it's cracked up to be. Our team will be traveling to Alcoa to collect data such as how far the cars back up and if people get confused by this new layout. Although I will not be going to this data collection, it was cool learning about the procedures of how they will collect this information.
Lately I've also been working with Daniel in organizing HEC notes. ITRE teaches a class called Highway Engineering Concepts (HEC), and over the years there has been no set procedure on how to properly edit these notes. Subsequently, the hard copies and file copies are no longer the same, and my job is to make sure the hard copies and the files on the server match up. It's been really neat skimming through all of these notes and learning about engineering concepts before I'm even in college.
Because I've really enjoyed what I've been doing at work for the past month, I'm definitely interested in pursuing a career path that involves some type of engineering. Because this is truly a professional institute, most who work here have acquired at least a masters degree. Chris and Daniel have their professional engineering licence, and some, like Bastian, even have their PhD. Most who work here, at least in the highways group, went to college for civil engineering with a focus in transportation. Because NC State is a great engineering school, it is one of my top choices for colleges if I choose to pursue this type of path.
Activities: DCD Meeting, HEC
Technical Information: Adobe software, Copy Machine, MS Word
Reflection: I recently went to a meeting with my supervisor, Daniel, and two of my coworkers, Jess and Kristy, about an upcoming data collection. Our team will travel to Alcoa, Tennessee to collect data on a diverging diamond interchange. A diverging diamond is a special type of interchange where traffic travels on the opposite side of the road for a small period of time to improve left lane movement. This type of interchange has been called the "golden ticket", but our Highways Group is trying to determine if the diverging diamond is all it's cracked up to be. Our team will be traveling to Alcoa to collect data such as how far the cars back up and if people get confused by this new layout. Although I will not be going to this data collection, it was cool learning about the procedures of how they will collect this information.
Lately I've also been working with Daniel in organizing HEC notes. ITRE teaches a class called Highway Engineering Concepts (HEC), and over the years there has been no set procedure on how to properly edit these notes. Subsequently, the hard copies and file copies are no longer the same, and my job is to make sure the hard copies and the files on the server match up. It's been really neat skimming through all of these notes and learning about engineering concepts before I'm even in college.
Because I've really enjoyed what I've been doing at work for the past month, I'm definitely interested in pursuing a career path that involves some type of engineering. Because this is truly a professional institute, most who work here have acquired at least a masters degree. Chris and Daniel have their professional engineering licence, and some, like Bastian, even have their PhD. Most who work here, at least in the highways group, went to college for civil engineering with a focus in transportation. Because NC State is a great engineering school, it is one of my top choices for colleges if I choose to pursue this type of path.
Entry #5 My Main Contribution
Dates: 6/28/11 - 6/30/11
Activities: Facet Demo, Roundabout Inventory, Lit Review, Survey
Technical Information: Microphone Headset, Google Earth, MS Word, MS Excel
Reflection: On Tuesday (6/28), I attended a Go-To Meeting, which is a virtual meeting available over the internet. To communicate with the other attendees, one can use a microphone headset or call in from a phone. The presenters had control of the computer screen and showed their power point presentation over the internet. The meeting was between ITRE and another company called Facet. ITRE was interested on how Facet conducts retroreflectivity readings on highway signs.
These past few days I have also been working with one of my other supervisors, Bastian, on a roundabout inventory. Using Google Earth, my job is to look at all the roundabouts across the country and record their various attributes in an excel spreadsheet. These attributes include number of approaches, number of lanes, and how far away pedestrian crossings are from the roundabout. It's pretty neat to be able to virtually travel the country!
I've also been working hard on both the literature review and survey for the HDS (3D laser scanning) project. I sent out a state-wide survey to transportation departments the past week, and I've started to get responses. To organize this information, I've used an excel spreadsheet to record contact information and how these transportation departments use this new technology. I will later send follow-up questions to those states who do use LiDAR.
I believe my main contribution to ITRE is kicking off new projects. For example, the HDS project's kickoff meeting isn't until August, but my responsibility is to read other state's research reports on how they use LiDAR to give my supervisors a head-start on the project. I also do a lot of work that may be tedious but necessary. For example, there are probably over 500 roundabouts across the country that I have to inventory, which may seem like a lot, but this database may help ITRE get more projects in the long run.
Activities: Facet Demo, Roundabout Inventory, Lit Review, Survey
Technical Information: Microphone Headset, Google Earth, MS Word, MS Excel
Reflection: On Tuesday (6/28), I attended a Go-To Meeting, which is a virtual meeting available over the internet. To communicate with the other attendees, one can use a microphone headset or call in from a phone. The presenters had control of the computer screen and showed their power point presentation over the internet. The meeting was between ITRE and another company called Facet. ITRE was interested on how Facet conducts retroreflectivity readings on highway signs.
These past few days I have also been working with one of my other supervisors, Bastian, on a roundabout inventory. Using Google Earth, my job is to look at all the roundabouts across the country and record their various attributes in an excel spreadsheet. These attributes include number of approaches, number of lanes, and how far away pedestrian crossings are from the roundabout. It's pretty neat to be able to virtually travel the country!
I've also been working hard on both the literature review and survey for the HDS (3D laser scanning) project. I sent out a state-wide survey to transportation departments the past week, and I've started to get responses. To organize this information, I've used an excel spreadsheet to record contact information and how these transportation departments use this new technology. I will later send follow-up questions to those states who do use LiDAR.
I believe my main contribution to ITRE is kicking off new projects. For example, the HDS project's kickoff meeting isn't until August, but my responsibility is to read other state's research reports on how they use LiDAR to give my supervisors a head-start on the project. I also do a lot of work that may be tedious but necessary. For example, there are probably over 500 roundabouts across the country that I have to inventory, which may seem like a lot, but this database may help ITRE get more projects in the long run.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Entry #4 Classroom Experience
Dates: 6/24/11 - 6/27/11
Activities: Attend DCD Meeting, Lit Review, Roundabout Inventory
Technical Information: Adobe, Microsoft Word
Reflection: These past few days I've continued to work on the HDS literature review. It's been surprising how long thorough research and organization actually takes. Keeping a clear documentation of sources and publishing dates is tedious and lengthy work. I've been using a lot of Adobe software to manage of all the source files for my research, and I ask questions frequently on the proper way to reference these sources.
I also recently attended another meeting with NCDOT (North Carolina Department of Transportation) where I was responsible for taking notes. NCDOT met with ESP & Associates, a surveying company, to explore how ESP could benefit NCDOT with their technologically advanced surveying methods. ESP currently uses a mobile LiDAR system, which involves a 3D laser scanning unit being mounted on top of a truck. This allows the scanning unit to quickly scan roads within the flow of traffic. ESP showed NCDOT some demos and actual 3D scans of a rockface. It was pretty neat to actually experience this cutting edge technology in person rather than just reading about it.
Prior to this internship, I wish I had learned more about email etiquette. Because I'm constantly in contact with my supervisors and members of other large organizations, it would have been beneficial to know what is the acceptable and expedient way to communicate over email. Also, more in-dept knowledge of the new version of Word would have been helpful. It's been aggravating learning certain linking and footnote settings while I work. If I had learned this before, it would have saved a lot of time. However, it's always fun to learn new things!
Activities: Attend DCD Meeting, Lit Review, Roundabout Inventory
Technical Information: Adobe, Microsoft Word
Reflection: These past few days I've continued to work on the HDS literature review. It's been surprising how long thorough research and organization actually takes. Keeping a clear documentation of sources and publishing dates is tedious and lengthy work. I've been using a lot of Adobe software to manage of all the source files for my research, and I ask questions frequently on the proper way to reference these sources.
I also recently attended another meeting with NCDOT (North Carolina Department of Transportation) where I was responsible for taking notes. NCDOT met with ESP & Associates, a surveying company, to explore how ESP could benefit NCDOT with their technologically advanced surveying methods. ESP currently uses a mobile LiDAR system, which involves a 3D laser scanning unit being mounted on top of a truck. This allows the scanning unit to quickly scan roads within the flow of traffic. ESP showed NCDOT some demos and actual 3D scans of a rockface. It was pretty neat to actually experience this cutting edge technology in person rather than just reading about it.
Prior to this internship, I wish I had learned more about email etiquette. Because I'm constantly in contact with my supervisors and members of other large organizations, it would have been beneficial to know what is the acceptable and expedient way to communicate over email. Also, more in-dept knowledge of the new version of Word would have been helpful. It's been aggravating learning certain linking and footnote settings while I work. If I had learned this before, it would have saved a lot of time. However, it's always fun to learn new things!
Entry #3 Work Atmosphere
Dates: 6/21 - 6/23
Activities: HDS Literature Review,
Technical Information: Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Adobe PDF
Reflection: In the Highway Systems Group, there are around 20 different research projects being conducted at once, so effective communication within the team is key. There are 15 people that are members of the Highway Systems Group, ranging from people with their PHDs, PEs (Professional Engineers), to interns who are still in graduate school at NC State. In order to facilitate communication between all team members, every Monday morning we have a mini staff meeting where we discuss current project statuses and make decisions on what next steps should be taken.
The entirety of the work atmosphere is pretty relaxed. The dress code is business casual, and because all of our offices are relatively close to each other, it's easy to pop into my supervisor's or coworker's office and ask questions. Everyone that works there really has an interest in getting to know each other and playing to people's strengths. Even though there is a clear "boss," everyone works together to produce high-quality research reports and meet deadlines.
These past few days I have been working with one of my supervisors, Daniel, with the HDS project in looking up information on a new technology called LiDAR. Even though the actual project kick-off day isn't until August, it's been neat learning about this innovative scanning system and informing my supervisors about it. Most of my tasks throughout the day involve using Adobe Print to keep my internet information sources organized and putting them all into a Word Document.
Activities: HDS Literature Review,
Technical Information: Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Adobe PDF
Reflection: In the Highway Systems Group, there are around 20 different research projects being conducted at once, so effective communication within the team is key. There are 15 people that are members of the Highway Systems Group, ranging from people with their PHDs, PEs (Professional Engineers), to interns who are still in graduate school at NC State. In order to facilitate communication between all team members, every Monday morning we have a mini staff meeting where we discuss current project statuses and make decisions on what next steps should be taken.
The entirety of the work atmosphere is pretty relaxed. The dress code is business casual, and because all of our offices are relatively close to each other, it's easy to pop into my supervisor's or coworker's office and ask questions. Everyone that works there really has an interest in getting to know each other and playing to people's strengths. Even though there is a clear "boss," everyone works together to produce high-quality research reports and meet deadlines.
These past few days I have been working with one of my supervisors, Daniel, with the HDS project in looking up information on a new technology called LiDAR. Even though the actual project kick-off day isn't until August, it's been neat learning about this innovative scanning system and informing my supervisors about it. Most of my tasks throughout the day involve using Adobe Print to keep my internet information sources organized and putting them all into a Word Document.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)