CAAT Tracks
March / April 2017
In This Issue:
ATTEND NACAT AT MACOMB COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Join Us for the 2017 North American Council of Automotive Teachers Conference!

The CAAT and Macomb Community College are proud to be hosting the 2017 North American Council of Automotive Teachers Conference July 17-20, 2017, at our campus in Warren, MI.

A paid conference registration will provide delegates with access to:
Find out more about the 2017 NACAT Conference:

NACAT Motor City Video
Video: Macomb Community College and the Motor City

Being a NACAT presenter, exhibitor, or sponsor is a great way for you and your company to connect with conference participants. Visit the conference website for more information.

To learn more about how you or your company can engage with MCC and NACAT on this event, please contact Sherri Doherty at dohertys@macomb.edu or 586-447-8618.
MACOMB COMMUNITY COLLEGE STUDENT WINS MICHIGAN 2017 BREAKING TRADITIONS MERIT AWARD

Samantha Leonardi
Samantha Leonardi
Samantha Leonardi, Macomb Community College (MCC) automotive technology student and Macomb's only female student participating in the General Motors Automotive Service Education Program ( GM ASEP), won a Michigan 2017 Breaking Traditions Merit Award. This award is presented by the Michigan Department of Education Office of Career and Technical Education (OCTE) to students who have been successful in a CTE program area that is nontraditional for their gender.

The GM ASEP Program at MCC, is an Associate of Applied Science in Automotive Technology degree that combines classroom lecture and laboratory sessions, with work experience at a GM dealership. At MCC the entire program requires 80 weeks, with 38 weeks spent on campus and 42 weeks in a real work environment. The areas of study include, but are not limited to, brakes, electrical and electronic systems, suspension and alignment, air conditioning, automatic transmission, manual transmission and drive trains, and fuel and emission systems. Samantha works at Merollis Chevrolet in Eastpointe, MI as part of the ASEP program and plans to continue there after graduation.

Her dad's interest in working on cars influenced Samantha to participate in the automotive program at Lakeview High School. This exposure to auto technology was the catalyst for Samantha's application to the GM ASEP program at MCC.

GM ASEP and MCC professor, Dan Claus, nominated Samantha for the Breaking Traditions Merit Award. Claus says, "Samantha's greatest skill is her willingness to always work on anything mechanical and her enthusiastic attitude to figure out how it should function until it is fixed. She has a great mindset when it comes to failure analysis. It is one of many qualities she has for fixing different vehicle failures. This skill set creates a great technician."

Samantha has been invited to attend the formal presentation of the award in a ceremony to be held in the Forum at the Library of Michigan in Lansing on Thursday, May 11, 2017. After ASEP graduation, Samantha plans to continue her education at Ferris State University.
CAAT PARTICIPATES in AUTORAMA STUDENT CAREER DAY

Student Career Day was held on February 24 in Detroit, MI, in conjunction with AutoRama, America' premier custom car show series. Student Day at AutoRama began more than a decade ago to "support the automotive educational programs at schools (and colleges) by exposing students to the wide range of opportunities in the automotive industry through speakers, corporate support, and event participation."

Students and instructors attending the event enjoyed the opportunity to gain exposure to the aftermarket hot rod industry. Guest speakers shared their knowledge and experience, and their passion for working in the industry.

The CAAT and Macomb Community College sponsored a table and provided information on Macomb's automotive programs and careers in the automotive industry, including automotive technicians, engineering technologists, and automotive designers.
CAAT PROVIDES AUTOMOTIVE TECHNICAL TRAINING for GLOBAL CORPORATE COLLEGE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM with TEACHERS from CHONGQING, CHINA

From February 12 to March 21, 2017, 18 vocational and technical automotive instructors and administrators from Chongqing China visited Eastfield College in Dallas, Texas and Macomb Community College to learn how automotive technology is taught in the United States. The Chongqing Program was an international exchange administered through the partnership of Global Corporate College (GCC) and the China Education Association for International Exchange (CEAIE). The main goal of the program is to teach the Chinese visitors about modern advancements in the automotive industry through interactive instruction by American community college instructors and various automotive site visits. The visitors ranged in age from 25 to 47 years old. In China, senior high school and vocational school students are typically 15 to 18 years of age.

The program showcased advanced automobile technologies and, through hands on training, enhanced participants professional and management skills, knowledge in automobile repair and design, and the ideology of corporate college/vocational schools. Additionally, the program established closer connections and future opportunities for international student exchange. Eastfield College and Macomb were selected to host the delegation due to their strength in automotive educational programs and strategic locations in automotive industry sites. Macomb Community College's state of the art technology and industry knowledge allowed for exemplary design and implementation of the program.

The Macomb visit occurred from March 6-21, 2017, and began with a luncheon address by President Jim Jacobs. For the first week of the visit, the students learned about two of CAATs emerging automotive technologies: connected/automated vehicles, presented by CAAT Director Bob Feldmaier, and fuel cell electric vehicles, presented by CAAT Assistant Director Nelson Kelly. The first week included a visit to Macomb's M-TEC to learn about the robotics training program, and a tour of the Wayne State University's Advanced Technology Education Center to learn about their Engineering Technology program.

To learn more about American culture, the Chinese students visited the Henry Ford where they toured the museum and participated in the Ford Rouge Factory tour where F-150's are made. A highlight of the week was an American home visit with a barbecue dinner hosted by CAAT Director Bob Feldmaier and his wife Mary.

During week two at Macomb, the Chinese instructors participated in lectures and hands-on activities on automotive systems including front end, brakes, transmissions, and powertrains at the Automotive Technology Department. They also visited the Engineering Technology Department where they programmed robots in the mechatronics lab. The week ended at GM's Technician Training Center in Troy, MI where they learned about the methods GM uses to train dealer technicians in the US, the size of GM's technician population, and how GM dealers fill the pipeline with nearly 3,000 technicians every year to make up for attrition. Macomb is one of about 50 GM Automotive Service Educational Program (ASEP) sites where students can obtain an associate degree while working as a student technician in a GM dealership.

The second week also included cultural activities, including visiting the Stahls classic car museum and doing some shopping. The visit ended with a luncheon attended by the Macomb staff who interacted with the Chinese visitors throughout their visit, and each guest was awarded a diploma for their participation in the program by President Jim Jacobs and Board of Trustee member Kristi Dean.
CAAT PARTICIPATES in SOUTHEASTERN MICHIGAN AUTOMOTIVE TEACHERS ASSOCIATION (SEMATA) CONFERENCE

Bob Feldmaier
Approximately 111 automotive instructors attended the spring SEMATA Conference hosted by Macomb Community College at its south campus in Warren, Michigan. Of the 111 attendees, 82 were from high schools and intermediate school districts and 22 were from community colleges and universities.

Bob Feldmaier, Director of Macomb's Center for Advanced Automotive Technology (CAAT), provided information about the CAAT and a demonstration on how to download the many free classroom-ready resources available in the CAAT's online resource library.

National Automotive Technician's Education Foundation (NATEF) training hours were provided for the professional development technical training sessions offered at the conference. The training sessions are presented by various automotive industry and educational suppliers. Attendees were able to select the training sessions that best met their training needs from the following options:
  • Bosch
    • Collision Avoidance, Camera System Function and Calibration
    • AFT Sensor Operation and Testing; Scan Tool Test Procedures
    • Using Datastream and Special Test to Test Various Components
  • CDX Automotive
    • New Online Version Based on 2017 NATEF Standards
  • Electude
    • Revving Up Your Classroom Using Automotive eLearning
    • Electric Drive Training, Coming soon to Your NATEF Classroom
  • Federal Mogul
    • ASE A8 Test Prep, Parts 1 & 2
  • James Halderman (automotive textbook author)
    • Free Instructor Resources
  • Snap-on
    • Scan Tool Coverage on Stability Control and Collision Avoidance Systems
  • Today's Class:
    • What Works and What Doesn't Work
    • Can We Engage the Fleet and Service Markets?
Round table discussions were offered with representatives from Automotive Youth Educational Systems (AYES) / National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), the Michigan Department of Education's Career and Technical Education Program and the Michigan Mechanic Certification Program.

Raffles and live demonstrations were also included as well as complimentary breakfast and lunch.

CAAT and WSU SPONSOR UNIVERSITY BOUND PROGRAM for MACOMB COMMUNITY COLLEGE STUDENTS

Macomb students attending
University Bound
University Bound is a summer program co-sponsored by the Center for Advanced Automotive Technology, Wayne State University, Macomb Community College, and the National Science Foundation. The program is targeted at community college students considering transferring to Wayne State University or other baccalaureate granting institutions and is an opportunity for students to get acquainted with campus life, gain greater insight into their desired majors, and learn about the cultural and recreational opportunities available at Wayne State University. Students will attend two days of workshops geared at improving their college experience and supporting their goal of graduating with a bachelor's degree. Linking the two days of workshops is an overnight stay in one of Wayne State's dormitories.

The workshops are designed to:
  • Increase academic skills
  • Experience campus life at an urban research university
  • Expand confidence, affirm positive attitudes, and enhance interpersonal skills
  • Explore college/university services
University Bound 2017 will be held on Monday and Tuesday, May 15-16 at Wayne State University. Please visit the Student Activities page on the CAAT website for registration and other program information, or contact Geari Viney at Wayne State University at 313-577-0210. This event is limited to 40 students, so apply today!
HUNDREDS of MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS LEARN ABOUT STEM and HOVERCRAFTS at MACOMB COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Hovercraft Project
Hovercraft Project
Approximately 175 middle school students recently participated in a Macomb Community College outreach program held on March 1st and March 15th. The students visited from several area middle/junior high schools and spent a half day at the college learning about some of the programs offered. Their experience at the college included spending time in the Engineering and Advanced Technology department, where they participated in a hands-on hovercraft project taught by Don Hutchison, Associate Dean for Engineering Technology. The hovercraft project is a fun way to get students involved in a group activity that requires problem solving.

The hovercraft kit, supplied by the CAAT, consists of a CD, bottle top, two balloons, two straws, two pipe cleaners and two rubber bands. The objective is to make a hovercraft that "floats" on a flat surface while using only the materials provided to create a structure that supports the balloon so that it does not fall over and restrict movement as it deflates. Students are encouraged to use their imaginations to make something unique while exploring a creative side of themselves that may otherwise be underutilized. The students had lots of fun making the prototypes and demonstrating their ideas to the rest of the class. They were also very excited and proud to show off what they had created. What a great way to expose students to Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM).
SECOND STEM ADVENTURE DAY to be HELD at MACOMB COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Cub Scout_Boy Scout STEM
Cub Scout, Boy Scout STEM Day
On Saturday, May 13, the CAAT and Macomb Community College will host a Cub Scouts/Boy Scouts event at Macomb's South Campus in Warren, MI. The second annual STEM Adventure Day will be held in MCC's automotive technology building. The event is held to assist scouts in achieving their NOVA award, which is designed around STEM learning objectives. The morning session will go from 8:30 a.m. to noon and will be for Cub Scouts only, while the afternoon session will go from 12:30 to 4 p.m. and will be for Boy Scouts only.

The morning session for Cub Scouts will focus on NOVA's "Swing" category and will offer modules which are designed to help students explore how engineering and simple machines called levers affect their life. The module topics are:
  • Motion and Machines
  • Levers
  • Catapults
  • Alternative Fuel Vehicles
The afternoon session for Boy Scouts will focus on NOVA's "Whoosh" category and will offer modules that are designed to help students explore how engineering affects their daily life. The module topics are:
  • Motion and Machines
  • Welding Simulator
  • Wind-Powered Car
  • Alternative Fuel Vehicles
The CAAT's STEM Outreach Coordinator, Saleta McMurray, will teach the Catapult and Wind-Powered Car labs to help the scouts achieve their NOVA award objectives. CAAT Director, Bob Feldmaier, and Assistance Director, Nelson Kelly, will teach the session on alternative fuel vehicles. Other Macomb faculty and staff are also expected to participate. We'll tell you more in our next issue!
NEW MATERIALS ADDED TO THE CAAT RESOURCE LIBRARY!

How Connected Vehicles Work
A USDOT Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Fact Sheet. Connected vehicles have the potential to transform the way we travel through the creation of a safe, wireless communications network that includes cars, buses, trucks, trains, traffic signals, cell phones, and other devices. In the past, USDOT focused on helping people survive crashes. Connected vehicle technology will give people the tools to avoid crashes.

Policy and Institutional Issues
A USDOT Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Joint Program Office (JPO) Fact Sheet, focused on making surface transportation safer, smarter and greener by leveraging the capabilities of wireless technology. The mission is to identify critical issues that may hinder or present challenges to the successful deployment of ITS technologies, whether global and cross-cutting, or specific to a program's technical roadmap, requiring research and resolution in tandem with the technical research staff and partners to ensure continued progress.

Data Capture and Management Program
A USDOT Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Joint Program Office (JPO) Fact Sheet. A key concept of the DCM program is the development of data environments. Data environments support the collection, management, integration, and application of real-time transportation data from fixed sensors, vehicles, and travelers.

Research Data Exchange
A USDOT Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Joint Program Office (JPO) Fact Sheet. The Research Data Exchange (RDE) is a web-based resource that collects, manages, and provides access to multi-source and multi-modal transportation data to support the development and testing of intelligent transportation system (ITS) and connected vehicle applications.

Connected Automation
A USDOT Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Joint Program Office (JPO) Presentation. An overview of connected and automated vehicle technology, and its impact on issues such as safety, emissions, efficiency, land use, and public health.

Connected Vehicle Pilot Program Phase 1 Lessons Learned
A USDOT Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Joint Program Office (JPO) Presentation. A mid-project review of three test sites for the implementation of connected vehicle pilot deployment. Lessons learned in concept and development phase, and plan for design and deployment phase are included.

Autonomous Vehicles Meet Human Drivers-Traffic Safety Issues for States
A Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) Report. This report should help states understand and address issues of autonomous vs human driver conflict. It includes background information on autonomous vehicles, on the road and in development, and surveys of public knowledge and attitudes regarding autonomous vehicles. It describes the key topics of traffic safety with both driver-operated and autonomous vehicles on the road. The report suggests what states should do to prepare for autonomous vehicles and to assure that traffic safety is at the forefront of all autonomous vehicle discussions.

The Road Ahead, A Public Policy Roadmap for 2017
An Intelligent Transportation Society of America (ITS America) Paper. Recent advances in robotics, artificial intelligence, and wireless communications have inspired an industry race to make the next generation of mobility a reality. On everything from advanced, data-based traffic management to commercializing the first driverless cars, trucks and buses, ITS America is working with its broad range of members to identify the opportunities and challenges to integrating these systems into our current transportation system.

Federal Automated Vehicles Policy
A USDOT National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Policy Statement, that sets out an ambitious approach to accelerate the highly automated vehicle (HAV) revolution. The remarkable speed with which increasingly complex HAVs are evolving challenges DOT to take new approaches that ensure these technologies are safely introduced, provide safety benefits today, and achieve their full safety potential in the future.

Automation Alley's 2017 Technology Industry Report
An Automation Alley Technology Industry Report. This report highlights where communication gaps exist between technology and manufacturing executives, the lack of company resources dedicated to technological advancements and how Automation Alley helps members develop and adopt technologies.

Automation Alley's 2016 Technology Industry Report
An Automation Alley Technology Industry Report. This report predicts growth for Southeast Michigan technology companies in 2016 and showcases regional strengths that rival those of Silicon Valley. Southeast Michigan is a leading center for tech talent, innovation and opportunity. We encourage the use of this report as a tool to attract talent and investment to the region.

The Race to Autonomous Driving, Winning American Consumers' Trust
Deloitte University Press, Automotive News Article. A survey of more than 22,000 consumers on their advanced vehicle automation preferences to help manufacturers prioritize their research and development strategies. (note: Article starts on page 12)

ELEC 2915 Advanced Energy Storage
The "Advanced Energy Storage" course (developed by Macomb Community College through a National STEM Consortium grant) covers the fundamentals of energy conversion, thermodynamics, chemical energy, electrochemical systems, battery chemistry, and the sustainability of advanced energy storage systems. This course also compares the environmental effects of current fossil-fueled energy systems and conversion processes with more sustainable systems using renewable energy and more efficient conversion processes.

Connected Vehicle Impacts on Transportation Planning
A USDOT Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Joint Program Office (JPO) Primer. This paper provides planners with a primer on how to begin to address the impacts of connected and automated vehicle (CAV) technology. Gaps in current models and data are identified and a proposed research program is presented.

 

RESOURCE LIBRARY SPOTLIGHT ITEM

A meta-analysis of 30 years of research into the impacts of technological dependence on the driving skills and the ability of an operator to resume operation of the vehicle, in the event of an automated vehicle (AV) failure or limitation. The findings presented in this work are based on the most recent research on the impact of AV technology on drivers, as well as the most influential studies on this topic performed in the last three decades.

Automated and connected vehicles are a great leap forward in the evolution of transportation, and the challenges are not just technical. Knowing the human tendencies and responses will lead to greater success in deployment and adoption of these technologies.

See how Ford is responding to these issues in the article below.

Remember to rate and review resources.
AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE SENSORS EXPLAINED

Autonomous vehicles need to perceive the environment and outperform their human counterparts. By using several different technologies to build a 'picture' of the environment, autonomous vehicles will be able to build a comprehensive picture of the driving environment.
  • With a range of ~2m, ultrasonic sensors are best for detection of objects in the immediate vicinity. Currently, they can only be used at very low speeds, which makes them excellent for use with automated parking.
  • Image sensors use cameras to create pictures of vehicle surroundings, up to a range of 120m. Unlike other sensors, cameras are able to interpret colors and text, and can 'read' signs, traffic lights, and lane markings. They also provide a measure of redundancy should other sensors fail. Challenges with image sensors include weather limitations such as fog, rain, low sun; limited range, and their recognition algorithms need to be improved.
  • Radar sensors are able to detect objects, both distance and speed, up to 250m away, providing information on possible obstacles or collisions. At present, they cannot determine an object's height, such as a bridge. 3D radars are being developed.
  • Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) sensors perform similarly to radar, but use lasers instead of radio waves. They are able to give a more detailed view of the surroundings. LIDAR requires rare earth metals though, which affects price and availability.
  • By using the 'swarm intelligence' of many connected cars, the Cloud can extend the vehicle's dynamic horizon. While other sensors can only 'see' at most 250m, the Cloud can use data from other vehicles to map problems like road closures, signal outages, and traffic jams, and search out alternate routes.
Graphic courtesy of 2025AD
These technologies, with their overlapping spheres of information, provide the backbone of automated and connected vehicles. Further developments in these and other technologies, will make autonomous vehicles the safe choice for the future.

PRESIDENT TRUMP VISITS AMERICAN CENTER for MOBILITY
Announces Mid-Term Review of CAFE Standards

On March 15, President Donald Trump spoke at the future site of the American Center for Mobility, a testing center for self-driving vehicles expected to open later this year in Ypsilanti Township, Michigan. As part of his message, he announced plans for a mid-term review of and possible reduction in the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFÉ) standards that are scheduled to go into effect in 2021 and beyond. Automotive manufacturers would likely welcome regulation changes that better address the effect lower gas prices has had on consumer demand for electric and hybrid vehicles.

FORD'S PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT CHIEF SAYS FORD WILL SKIP LEVEL 3 AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES

According to Ford's Product Development Chief, Raj Nair, Ford will skip Level 3 in their effort to put autonomous vehicles on the road by 2021. This is because Ford has discovered that even their own trained engineers, who are tasked with testing self-driving vehicles, while prepared to take over driving if necessary, are "being lulled by the technology into a role that's too passive for effective monitoring." In other words, according to Nair, "they are losing situational awareness." Human nature, he says, leads to increased trust in the technology which then leads to not paying enough attention to remain safe.

This occurs regardless of efforts by the company to ensure the driver pays attention through usage of various "tricks" such as warning lights, vibrations, sounds, etc. As a result, Ford plans to remove the steering wheel, as well as the gas and brake pedals, from their autonomous vehicles scheduled to debut in 2021.


Kettering University developed this 6-week, 12-session course, to provide fundamental knowledge and hands-on experience in joining techniques related to aluminum and mixed material products for community college students and practicing technicians.

The course covers various welding methods, mechanical joining techniques with and without fasteners, adhesive bonding, and hybrid joining techniques, and discusses the benefits and limitations of the various techniques. The resource includes assessments, lecture materials and slides, projects, quizzes, and video.

Please help us to help you, rate and review our resources. Your feedback matters.
FEATURED on CAAT's SOCIAL MEDIA:
Ford Creates Upscale Mall Offices to Attract Mobility Talent

Ford Engineer Office
Ford Engineer's Office at Fairlane Mall
If you're a Ford Engineer, a day at work could be a trip to the mall. Ford is working on a 10 year plan to not only remodel their headquarters, but also the city of Dearborn, Michigan to attract tech talent for their engineer roles.

Ford is spending approximately $60 million to encourage software engineers, applications developers and digital media specialists to live and work in the city of Dearborn.

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