Semester

Spring

Date of Graduation

2024

Document Type

Problem/Project Report

Degree Type

MS

College

Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources

Department

Lane Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering

Committee Chair

Brian Woerner

Committee Member

Andrew Nix

Committee Member

Dale Dzielski

Committee Member

Jeremy Dawson

Abstract

This report provides an overview of the strategic initiatives, challenges, and future considerations encountered by the West Virginia University (WVU) EcoCAR Team in their mission to enhance accessibility for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals in rural West Virginia, with a specific focus on improving the Cadillac LYRIQ's features. The report delves into the stakeholder profile, encompassing demographic characteristics and mobility challenges unique to the target population, while also highlighting the team's SMART goals, key challenges faced, and forward-looking strategies to better the team.

The WVU EcoCAR Team's mission revolves around addressing mobility barriers for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community in rural West Virginia. The stakeholder profile encompasses 306,000 residents, predominantly White, with an average age of 42 years, facing mobility challenges due to reliance on single-occupancy automobiles and limited transportation infrastructure. The report outlines mobility barriers faced by deaf individuals, highlighting challenges with auditory-centric vehicle features like the Tell-Tell/Notification Systems. It emphasizes the need for visual and tactile alternatives in vehicle design to ensure inclusivity and safety on the road. The team's SMART goals, including enhancing internal education and team culture, fostering inclusive sub-team integration, strengthening cross-sub-team collaboration, and utilizing data analysis for continuous improvement, are at the core of their strategic approach to address these mobility issues. These goals serve as a framework for targeted initiatives that align with the team's commitment to inclusivity, education, collaboration, and data-driven decision-making.

Challenges identified by the team encompass the complexity of understanding and mitigating mobility barriers comprehensively, external resistance towards new vehicle technologies, financial constraints amidst the university's economic challenges, and the evolving landscape of clean energy infrastructure. However, through proactive strategies, collaborative partnerships with stakeholders, and a relentless pursuit of excellence, the team navigates these challenges effectively.

Looking towards the future, the WVU EcoCAR Team plans to sustain inclusivity and diversity initiatives, prioritize continuous technological innovation aligned with their SMART goals, navigate regulatory frameworks effectively, and forge stronger partnerships within the community. By addressing these challenges and considering future considerations, the team aims to drive positive societal impact, create a more accessible and sustainable mobility landscape, and set a precedent for industry-wide transformation towards inclusivity and accessibility in transportation design. The Team's comprehensive approach, guided by SMART goals and collaborative efforts, showcases a paradigm shift towards inclusivity and social responsibility in the automotive industry, paving the way for a more equitable and sustainable future.

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