Module 1: Lessons 1-4 – Middle School – Crash Prevention

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Course Description

Lesson 1: As drivers, we depend on multiple inputs to drive safely in ever-changing conditions. How we respond to those inputs is important to our own safety as well as to the safety of other drivers. Through discussion, analysis, hands-on experiments and group conclusions, students will be able to understand that their own reaction times are not instantaneous and practical reaction time limits affect how driving and driving safety can be affected.

Lesson 2: This lesson introduces students to the physical concepts of surface friction and the distance vehicles need to come to a complete stop under a variety of roadway situations. Students will discuss and calculate vehicle stopping distances for different pavement conditions, and study how Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) sensors and communication networks can help avoid collisions.

Lesson 3: Weather conditions can have a major impact on transportation. In this lesson, students will learn how to use internet-based databases and identify how weather relates to traffic incidents. They will also be able to identify several ITS technologies that help to reduce weather-related incidents.

Lesson 4: When a roadway crash occurs, normal traffic routes can be disrupted, leading to delay, congestion, frustration, and potentially other secondary crashes. The time it takes to clear incidents relates to the ability of first responders, medics, and other emergency service providers to access the incident site and remove debris, vehicles, and those who were injured. The types of technologies currently used to inform drivers of upcoming road conditions and instruct road users to take specific precautions are introduced to students in this lesson plan.

Learning Outcomes

  • Through discussion, students will discover factors that contribute to automotive crashes.
  • Students will use the scientific method to calculate reaction times using a hands-on and computer-based method.
  • Students will use graphical methods to analyze class data.
  • Students will apply
  • Students will understand that various vehicles and road conditions have different stopping properties.
  • Students will use mathematical formulas to calculate stopping distances.
  • Students will identify
  • Students will be able to identify how weather relates to traffic crashes.
  • Students will learn how to use internet-based databases.
  • Students will understand the causes of congestion as it relates to motor-vehicle crashes.
  • Students will learn how this congestion affects emergency medical services.
  • Students will understand how ITS and connected vehicle (CV) systems improve traffic flow after a crash occurs allowing EMS to arrive in a timely manner.
  • Students will
  • Basic Skill Requirements

    NanoSonic
    Instructor
    NanoSonic Inc. has compiled a series of Middle School & High School lesson plans to engage students in STEM activities.

    Course Features

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