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ENERGY AND SUSTAINABILITY
STUDENT CHAPTER TOP HONORS
UCI’s student chapter of the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) took first place at the ITE Southern California Section Student Competition this spring. The group presented results from its Joshua Tree National Park Transit Feasibility Study. The National Parks Conservation Association commissioned the UCI students, primarily civil and environmental engineering seniors, to study the feasibility of establishing a shuttle transit system to alleviate traffic and parking congestion for visitors to Joshua Tree. The students were mentored by ITE faculty adviser Professor Stephen Ritchie and doctoral student Sarah Hernandez. “This is the most ambitious project yet undertaken by our student chapter, and it provided an outstanding opportunity for students to work on complex real-world problems and gain skills that will be invaluable for their future careers,” says Ritchie. “Our chapter has placed first and second in the annual ITE Competition in the last four years, and I am extremely proud of the dedication, professionalism and team effort of our students.”
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UCI transportation engineers win ITE Student Chapter of the Year for Southern California section
CALIFORNIA CHALLENGE Students from across the nation competed in the first-ever California Challenge hosted by the Samueli School of Engineering last fall. High school and university teams tested their skills in designing and building electric and alternative-fuel vehicles from scratch. Cars powered by methane and electricity – as well as those with efficient gas engines – participated in the two-day event, which ran in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Decathlon at the Orange County Great Park in Irvine. A custom built racetrack included a high-speed section, auto-cross section and a staged idle section. The challenge: to go as far as they could on the course in one hour on $1 worth of energy. UCI’s Delta took overall top honors, while a team from California State University, Northridge, earned best vehicle design.
2013-14 Dean’s Report