Think Like an Engineer: Part 3

Think Like an Engineer: Part 3

Which route should we dual?

• I am learning to use prior knowledge and given data to compare and select a route for the A9 dualling project

  ​

• I am learning the importance of using tabulated data to make informed decisions​

  ​

• I am learning to justify my decisions and listen to the decisions of others​

​Learning Intentions

​

• I can read data and information from tables and other sources

  ​

• I can use this information to make an informed choice and justify my decision with good reasoning​

Success Criteria

​

Engineers need to go through a decision making process when undertaking a major road project like the dualling of the A9.

​

Building a Road: Making Decisions

​

Open Ended

Can you remember any of the things engineers need to consider when making their decision?

Things engineers need to consider:

• Journey Time

• Safety

• Constraints

• Costs​

​

Building a Road: Making Decisions

​

Open Ended

Can you name any constraints that engineers have to look out for?

You have previously tabulated and analysed information on the 3 proposed dualling routes. ​

These are the white, orange and pink routes shown on the map.

Building a Road: Making Decisions

​

Route A (white)

​

Route B (orange)

​

Route C (pink)

​

Often engineers will process tabulated results like the ones above into graphs.

Graphs are more like a picture and make it easier to see any patterns in the data.​

​Processing the Data

Bar graphs are used when the data consists of words and numbers. ​

The route names are words and the time/penatly points are numbers.​

This bar graph shows the journey time penalty poiunts for each route.

​Bar Graphs

Draw

Complete the bar graph to show the Total Constraint Penalty Points for each route.

Route A (white)

​

Route B (orange)

​

Route C (pink)

​

Based on the total penalty points for each route, could you easily decide which route to dual?​

​

What other information could you use ​to make your decision?

Things engineers need to consider:

• Journey Time

• Safety

• Constraints

• Costs​

​

Building a Road: Making Decisions

​

Route A (white)

​

Route B (orange)

​

Route C (pink)

​

​Lets look at journey time first...

​

Poll

Which route would you choose to dual based on journey time? (Your teacher might ask you to explain)

• Route A

• Route B

• Route C

Lets now consider the constraints​...

​

​

Poll

Which contraint do you think is the most difficult to overcome?

(Your teacher may ask you why so make sure to have a reasonfor your choice)

• Bridges

• Tunnels

• Deer Herds

• Mountains

• Villages

You now have 5 minutes to discuss and write down any costs and benefits for each route.

​

Remember the 4 considerations:

• Journey time

• Safety

• Constraints

• Cost​

Task Time

Use the map and tabulated information to propose some costs and benefits for each of the routes.

Cost/Benefit Analysis​

If you are unsure you can place it between two routes.

​

Remember, it is important that you can justify and give reasons for your decision.​

Place a post-it within the triangle nearest the route you would select.

​

Partner 1: Explain the reasons behind your choice to your partner in 30s.

​

Then partner 2 should do the same.​

Discussion Time

​

​Would anyone like to share with the class why their partner chose the route they did?

Having heard different views from other members of the team you might have changed your mind. ​

​

Move your post-it if you wish.

Decision Time

​

Can we see a trend ​in the route selection?

Which route have we chosen as a team?​

We have collaborated to make a very difficult decision.

​

​Engineers do this on every project they work on.

Collaboration​

​

​Often there is not one perfect solution.

We weigh up the costs and benefits for different options, have lots of discussions and then come to an agreement.

Poll

Looking at the success criteria, how successful do you think you have been in today's lesson?