Inside:

Spotlight ...... Page 2 THE Survey results ...... Page 3

In Brief ...... Page 3 Campus Events ...... Page 4 HISTLE A C U L T Y T A F F E W S P A P E R WO L U M E U M B E R U G U S T H E E O R G I A N S T I T U T E O F E C H N O L O G Y F /S N V 27, N 27 • A 26, 2002 T G I T

Tech study monitoring how driver behavior leads to auto accidents

Jane Sanders collection and analysis will then get Research News under way. “Ultimately, we hope the data we ith a vehicle crash rate collect can help make the whole sys- exceeding the national aver- tem — the driver, vehicle and the W age, metro Atlanta is the road — safer and more efficient,” natural test bed for a new compre- said Jennifer Ogle, lead investigator hensive study of driver behavior, the and a research scientist in the School driving environment and the role of of Civil and Environmental speed in crashes. Engineering. “We hope to learn about Researchers leading Georgia all three pieces of the system. In par- Tech’s Drive Atlanta have begun ticular, we are interested in travel installation of data collection and routes, driver-vehicle interactions and telecommunications equipment in exposure to crash risk. The sheer the cars of 1,100 metro drivers ran- size of the data set allows for nearly domly recruited from participants in a limitless analysis possibilities.” recently completed Georgia Tech Though the role of speed in crash- photo by Sue Clites travel survey called SMARTRAQ. es is the primary focus of the study, Technicians installed the MACBOX data recorder system in the vehicle of Installations should be complete by Associate Professor Karen Dixon, who is part of the research team for early fall, and two years of data Drive continued, page 2 Drive Atlanta. The equipment was tested in Dixon's vehicle.

Bobby Dodd Stadium ‘will be New job: associate provost ready’ for home opener for Institutional Development

Michael Hagearty “Everything will be ready to go, Michael Hagearty Technology (ABET) — as well as Institute Communications but we will need until game day to Institute Communications Board of Regents program reviews. and Public Affairs have it that way,” he said, adding that and Public Affairs His involvement will also extend into he is “immensely” pleased with the the development and accreditation of he Georgia Tech football team progress that’s been made. This sea- rovost Jean-Lou Chameau has the extended learning programs Tech will play its first game this son, the stadium is listing a capacity named Jack Lohmann as is creating, such as its Regional T week, and it will be in the of 43,700, about 1,800 more than P Georgia Tech’s first associate Engineering Program (GTREP) and newly renovated Bobby Dodd Brown and the Athletic Department provost for Institutional Development overseas programs in France and Stadium. expected. and chair of the newly created Singapore. Sterling Brown, the associate ath- With phase two beginning in 2003, Council for Institutional and The Council will serve to provide letic director, said that work crews there will be telltale signs that the job Academic Program Review and guidance and coherence in Georgia are going to need every day between has not been completed. Though Accreditation. Tech’s preparedness now and Aug. 31 to complete the Lohmann, who cur- to fulfill current and first phase of construction. Stadium continued, page 3 rently serves as the emerging accreditation associate dean for requirements and to Academic Affairs in promote effective Aug. 22, 2002 the College of approaches to evalu- Engineering and as ate and improve aca- a professor in the demic programs. School of Industrial Based upon and Systems Lohmann’s recommen- Engineering, will dations, the Council continue to perform will be formed by the those duties as end of August, drawn well. from both the academ- In his new role, ic and administrative Lohmann will lead constituents of institutional and Georgia Tech. academic program Jack Lohmann “A university’s reviews and their accreditation is central accreditations, par- to its reputation,” said ticularly as they relate to major Chameau. “Jack’s commitment to accreditations — such as the Georgia Tech will ensure the institu- Southern Association of Colleges and tional initiatives being developed Schools (SACS) and the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Lohmann continued, page 3

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Faculty/Staff SPOTLIGHT “QUOTE- Ambrose Tandongfor

Though the last five years have been filled with uncertainty, the story does have a UNQUOTE” happy ending. A native of Cameroon, Ambrose was a student dissident who organ- ized and protested on behalf of a more open, democratic government. Only 25 years of age, he had been arrested and tortured on several occasions for expressing his “The main way things have views. Several of his friends and family members have died for this cause, demon- changed is that the federal gov- strating against what Ambrose calls “deception of the people.” ernment has started pouring a Upon learning his life was in danger, Ambrose first found political asylum in lot more money into this area.” Russia, leaving behind his wife and two children. Unable to secure passage for his —Sy Goodman, professor in family, he eventually made it to the United States, where he began working at the School of International Georgia Tech. Slowly, with the help of Robin Cubbage and others in the Success Affairs and the College of Center and at Tech, Ambrose was able to secure visas for his wife Filicia, his daugh- Computing, on Tech’s nascent ter Doris and his son Marvin. They were reunited in April. master’s degree program in information security, launched in 1998. Full Name: Ambrose C. Tandongfor Hobbies: Soccer, tennis, swimming, (Atlanta Business Chronicle) reading Age: 30 The last book I read for pleasure: Occupation: Maintenance for the “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Success Center Austen My day would not be complete What I find most rewarding about The CD in my stereo right now: without: Thinking of my children my job: The appreciation from my Mariah Carey clients, co-workers and the public What I most value in my friends: Another occupation I’d like to Moral orientation and progressive- What I find most challenging try: Criminal Justice ness about my job: Getting work done in the most efficient and effective man- One talent I would most like to My motto: “Create and develop new ner have: To be a lawyer ideas in arts and politics”

Years at Tech: 2 What I consider my greatest accomplishment: Being reunited Education: 2 years at the University with my family of Yaounde in Cameroon

Drive, cont’d from page 1 by a $1.9 million contract with the The in-vehicle equipment will National Highway Traffic Safety automatically notify the on-call Administration (NHTSA) and a $1.2 Georgia Tech research team, which researchers also will examine other million in-kind grant from Atlanta- will deploy and investigate the crash driving variables, such as seatbelt based Safety Intelligence Systems in coordination with police depart- use, time spent on the road (espe- Inc. The private company is provid- ments. All faculty members and cially during congested periods), ing the development costs, prototyp- graduate students involved in the time spent on highways versus local ing and testing for the MACBOX, an study underwent crash reconstruc- roads and occurrences of extreme event data recorder, which will oper- tion and investigation training. braking. Led by Ogle and her col- ate — transparently to the driver — Researchers will analyze the leagues, Associate Professors Karen in all study vehicles. MACBOX data and crash scene infor- Dixon and Randall Guensler, The MACBOX will record high-res- mation to determine the role of researchers hope to answer several olution data for each vehicle trip speed in the crash. questions: Does speeding lead to and download that information to “Crash reconstruction is essential- crashes? Does the driving environ- the researchers’ secure server week- ly more an art than a science,” said ment contribute to speeding? Does ly. Data will include trip length, trip Safety Intelligence Systems’ Ricardo the frequency of extreme vehicle duration, route choice and second- Martinez, a former NHTSA adminis- maneuvers correlate with crash by-second speed and acceleration. trator and now an adjunct professor THE involvement? In exchange for their participa- of civil engineering at Georgia Tech. WHISTLE “We know very little about pre- tion, drivers have been assured of “We look at the archaeology of the crash speeds,” Ogle said. “Almost all the privacy of data collected from crash, witness reports and expert of what we know relies on driver and their vehicles with a Certificate of opinion to decide the ‘facts.’ With Editor: Michael Hagearty witness reports or crash reconstruc- Confidentiality provided by the cars becoming more sophisticated National Institutes of Health. And like computers, we can actually Published by Institute tion activities. Each of these sources Communications and Public Affairs. is subject to errors. Our equipment they have the benefits of a vehicle measure what happens in a crash. will actually measure and record theft-tracking system and automated So with the MACBOX, we can go Publication is weekly throughout the academic year and biweekly speed for us.” 911 notification in the event of a from Flintstonian to Jetsonian.” throughout the summer. But researchers also want to crash. Based on a pilot study she did in The Whistle can be accessed learn more about travel patterns — Researchers will collect additional 1997 in Texas, Ogle believes Drive electronically through the Georgia how, when and where people drive. data — both from the MACBOX and Atlanta will be successful in terms of Tech web page, or directly at at the scene — when a study vehicle data collection technology and data www.whistle.gatech.edu. This information will be useful to both Ogle’s research team and to is involved in a crash. Based on sta- analysis. Ogle will issue periodic E-mail Whistle submissions to SMARTRAQ (Strategies for tistical probabilities, they estimate reports to NHTSA throughout the [email protected], or fax to Michael at 404-894-7214 Metropolitan Atlanta’s Regional that at least 100 crashes will occur study and a final report late in 2004. at least 10 days prior to desired Transportation and Air Quality), a during the study period. “There is a lack of comprehensive publication date. For more When a crash occurs, the information on crashes,” Ogle said. information, call 404-894-8324. Georgia Tech-led study to determine what types of land use and trans- MACBOX will record all of the vehi- “With ABS brakes, skid marks are portation investment policies have cle deceleration data and simultane- not as detectable…. But crash analy- Cost/$675 Copies/5,200 the best chance to reduce auto ously transmit a message to the sis is changing. The more informa- Institute Communications dependence. Fulton County Public Safety Access tion we have, the better off we are.” and Public Affairs Point, or 911 center, the central Wardlaw Center “For years, we have collected 177 North Avenue information from the roadway and emergency agency for all vehicles Atlanta, Georgia 30332-0181 the vehicle,” Ogle said. “Now, we involved in the study. Researchers For more information... Georgia Tech is a unit of the will also be able to gain information are making plans on how to handle SMARTRAQ University System of Georgia. on driver behavior.” crashes that may occur outside the Drive Atlanta is primarily funded metro area, Ogle added. www.smartraq.net

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Jan. 31, 2002 IN BRIEF:

Tech grad set for shuttle launch With a late September launch window, the next launch of the space shuttle Atlantis will be helmed by a six-member crew that includes Georgia Tech graduate and mission special- ist Sandra H. Magnus. The 37-year-old Magnus received a doctorate from the School of Materials Science and Engineering in 1996. That same year, she was recruited by NASA and reported to Johnson Space Center for training and evaluation. The mission marks her first flight in space. Scheduled to launch on Sept. 28, mission number STS-112 will deliver a segment of the International Space Station’s eventual 360-foot- long truss that spacewalkers use to move around the station’s exterior. Atlantis will set the stage for the outward expansion of the Space Stadium, cont’d from page 1 complicated.” Ongoing secu- Station. The crew will perform three spacewalks rity concerns mean that indi- Where is my seat? With fewer entrances and a new seat- to install, activate and outfit the segment. The viduals bringing bags into the mission marks the 15th shuttle mission to visit some construction walls will be stadium will be subject to ing arrangement, ticketholders can determine the most direct route below: the Space Station and the 26th flight of Space visible, it won’t impact foot traf- search. Shuttle Atlantis. fic or views of the action. “The first game is always South Stands Lower West Stands Magnus joins a distinguished list of nine Those who remember the old the hardest for the opera- Gate Sections Gates Sections astronauts and one astronaut candidate for a design may also notice fewer tional staff and for the fans,” 10 132-135 1 101-106 future mission who have graduated, attended or entrances into the stadium. The Brown said. As a result, it is 4 107-111 taught at Georgia Tech. The most recent was North Stands renumbered gates will be clear- recommended that tick- Mission Specialist Mike Massimino, a former Gates Sections Upper East Stands ly marked, and there will be etholders give themselves a professor in the School of Industrial and personnel on hand to provide larger window of time in 4 112-117 Gates Sections 8 118 & 119 8 221-224 Systems Engineering, who helped install the directions as well. order to make sure they are 10 225-229 new Hubble camera earlier this year. “There will be good signage in a seat for the 6 p.m. kick- Lower East Stands when people enter the stadi- off. Gates Sections Upper West Stands um,” Brown said. “If people will 8 120-122 Gates Sections Last one out, turn off the lights be patient and take a look at 9 123-129 2 201-204 During the late summer months, electricity con- their tickets, life will be less 10 130 & 131 3 205-208 sumption is at its peak. The same goes for cost. A large consumer such as Georgia Tech is able to purchase power in so-called “real time,” meaning that its energy bill is calculated based upon hourly rates, as opposed to the fixed rates set for residential customers. For most of the day, those rates hover between two and four cents per kilowatt hour. However, from 2-7 p.m. Lohmann, cont’d from page 1 professional practice. SACS is regarded for its leadership in the recognized regional accred- developing and implementing that cost can jump sixfold. iting body in 11 states for insti- innovative academic programs To raise awareness of this fact, Facilities conform to the highest academ- tutions of higher education that with effective approaches for has begun issuing an “Electricity Price ic standards.” award associate, baccalaure- their evaluation and accredita- Caution” on days when electricity prices are In order to maintain accredi- ate, master’s or doctoral tion,” Lohmann said. “I am three to six times higher than normal. In doing tation, schools are periodically degrees. ABET accredits more pleased to have the opportunity so, they are requesting faculty and staff take evaluated on their ability to than 2,500 engineering, engi- to work with our faculty, staff steps to curb consumption — through activating maintain appropriate standards neering technology, computing and students to further enhance “sleep” mode on computers and copiers or for their graduates to gain and applied science programs Tech’s institutional initiatives turning off lights in unused common areas, for admission to other reputable at more than 550 colleges and for academic excellence, partic- example — and cut down on expenses. institutions of higher learning or universities nationally. ularly in the area of extending For a more complete list of ways to conserve to achieve credentials for “Georgia Tech is highly learning.” energy, refer to www.facilities.gatech.edu/ energycons.htm.

Football tickets available Single-game tickets for the 2002 Georgia Tech football season are now available for purchase Survey yields positive results, changes to the Whistle on Tech’s official athletics website — www.ram- blinwreck.com — for all Tech home games Michael Hagearty An analysis of the survey as professional lives. this fall, except the Nov. 9 contest against Institute Communications a whole indicates that most Another change concerns Florida State. They are also available by phone and Public Affairs respondents are generally satis- web accessibility. The Whistle’s at 888-TECH-TIX. fied with the newspaper. The website, with its emphasis on The Yellow Jackets open the season by host- his past spring, the quality of production, writing the PDF format, did not con- ing Vanderbilt Aug. 31, and the home slate also Whistle sent out reader- and the level of campus cover- form to accepted standards of includes games against Brigham Young (Sept. ship surveys to every Tech age were rated highly, and the accessibility as it relates to the 21), Wake Forest (Oct. 5), Virginia (Oct. 26), T and Duke (Nov. 16). All seats are reserved. employee, asking that its audi- majority of respondents look to federal regulations requiring full ence offer opinions and insights it as their primary source of uni- usability for the disabled. Going Tickets purchased online are subject to a about what they thought the versity news. forward, content may be found reduced processing charge, and online cus- Whistle was and, perhaps more When asked about what in both HTML code and PDF tomers can select the section in which they sit importantly, was not. A total of respondents would change document form at www.whis- in the newly renovated stadium. Purchasing sin- 615 were returned, a healthy about the paper, the answers tle.gatech.edu. gle game tickets online will also provide the first 11.2 percent response rate. varied widely. However, one of A special thanks to all the opportunity to nab tickets returned from the vis- The goal of the survey, last the most common requests will respondents for the time and iting team’s allotment. taken in 1998, is to gauge how be fulfilled: the return of the effort spent completing the sur- Season tickets, while they last, are also avail- effectively the faculty/staff faculty/staff spotlight. On a vey. Your candor will serve to able. newspaper serves its reader- semi-regular basis beginning make the Whistle a stronger ship, and learn what things the this issue, you’ll find individual paper. Whistle can do to improve its profiles of faculty and staff usefulness. members that look beyond their

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