Sustainable Mobility

By Devon Douglas ’09, Ben Massie, Matthew McMurtry ’09, Annie White ’08

New Mobility seeks to create an integrated multi-modal transportation system through private sector investment. This enhanced system has the potential to provide significant social, human health, and environmental benefits through alleviation of congestion, increased efficiency, and better transportation access for all members of society. New Mobility Solutions for South Africa and India: A Framework for Success identifies the capabilities, strategies and management principles needed to ensure the success of New Mobility offerings and provides recommendations for initial entry into New Mobility markets. Drawing on secondary as well as in-country research in the previously identified cities of Bangalore, India and Cape Town, South Africa, specific recommendations were made with respect to the creation of a New Mobility business and industry. These recommendations provide Ford Motor Company with a solid base from which they may begin development of New Mobility through partnerships, alliances, and strategic experiments. The presented frameworks can guide the planning and implementation of New Mobility solutions throughout the world.

Read the Report

By John Gearen ’08, Sarah Hines ’07, David Hobstetter, Sathyanarayanan Jayagopi, Nikolaos Meissner ’07, Josh Nothwang ’08, Karen Putterman ’07, Mitsuyo Yamamoto ’07.

This project builds on the work of previous groups, including the Canadian think-tank Moving the Economy and a group of three University of Michigan graduate students who, in 2005, produced a report for Ford Motor Company entitled New Mobility: Future Opportunities for Ford as a Mobility Integrator. Our team consists of eight MS students at the School of Natural Resources and Environment at the University of Michigan. Through a combination of primary and secondary research, we surveyed the current and future potential for New Mobility products, services, and technologies in five global cities, vis-à-vis the growing urgency of addressing the aforementioned megatrends. Our results from each city combined a conventional Market Attractiveness Analysis with a progressive New Mobility Market Analysis.

Read the Report (PDF)

By Katy Levine ’06

Abstract: The natural environment has restorative and stress reducing benefits. This study analyzes the use of nearby nature by hospital visitors, a group of people who are typically at risk for stress and mental fatigue. Study participants were visitors of the University of Michigan Hospital System (UMHS) who were residing at the Ann Arbor Ronald McDonald House (RMH), a residence for family members of hospitalized children. The study involved suggested walking routes in Nichols Arboretum (Arb) and a series of before and post walk survey instruments to measure mental fatigue and stress. In addition, a survey instrument to measure awareness and perception of the Arb was administered. The results of this study indicate that walking in nature is restorative and stress reducing for hospital visitors. In addition, these results indicate that there is a need to better inform hospital visitors about nearby nature. The results also suggest that longer-term visitors may take more walks in nearby nature and that walk materials, such as short defined routes and guidelines, may be particularly useful for hospital visitors. It should be noted that the results of this study are based on a small sample size. Additional research should be conducted to provide greater statistical evidence. This paper concludes by recommending methods to increase hospital visitor awareness of nearby nature and ways to enhance hospital visitors’ experiences in nearby nature.

Read the Report on Deep Blue

By Ed Chao ’06, Marshall Chase ’06, Kriss Jadd ’07

Abstract: Hydrogen has received great attention in recent years as an energy storage and transmission medium, given its potential environmental, national energy security, and performance benefits. DTE Energy and the United States Department of Energy have established the Hydrogen Technology Park (“Park”) in Southfield, Michigan, a technology validation program consisting of an operating, demonstration facility with hydrogen electrolysers, compressed hydrogen storage, dispenser, and fuel cells. An engineering-economic analysis developed in this study, based on Park operating data and costs, estimates the current levelized cost of hydrogen ranging from $12.33 to $21.32/kg H2 (for hypothetical Park-like facilities with output of 1,200 and 100 kg H2/day, respectively), which is significantly higher than estimates made by other studies. Combining a fuel cell array with a neighborhood hydrogen filling station would result in an estimated current levelized cost of fuel cell electricity ranging from $2.09 to $2.13/kWh (for power generation of 5,000 kWh/day). The study concludes that the Park, with its current demonstration-stage technologies and costs, is not cost competitive in commercial hydrogen, utility-scale energy storage, or hydrogenvehicle markets.

Read the Report