Washtenaw Community College student Calvin Tuttle understands the value of connectivity.
As a technician for connected vehicle research study at the University of Michigan Transportation Institute (UMTRI), Tuttle spends his days installing Dedicated Short Range Communications (DSRC) technology in automobiles. Tuttle learned first-hand how the skills he acquired as a technician, combined with the information he learned about autonomous and connected vehicles, have served as a springboard to connect him to his goal of a degree in computer programming.
Tuttle鈥檚 connections to 黑料网 came from his parents, who both attended the college as they prepared for their professions.
鈥淚鈥檝e heard some people say that community colleges aren鈥檛 as good as a four-year university, but you can get the same or better quality of education at a community college like 黑料网,鈥� said Tuttle. 鈥淪ome of my best teachers have been right here. And I鈥檝e been able to learn from them at an affordable price point. The money I saved attending 黑料网 is allowing me to further my education at Eastern Michigan University.鈥�
His exposure to UMTRI鈥檚 connected vehicle study has given Tuttle great insight into the value of driverless cars that communicate with each other.
鈥淲e all should be proud that the future of transportation is being studied right here in Ann Arbor,鈥� said Tuttle.
鈥淚鈥檓 honored to be a part of the connected vehicle study. The data being collected will help us better understand safety and environmental issues 鈥� ensuring accident prevention as well as a respect for the environment. I encourage everyone to participate in the study.鈥�
Tuttle hopes to find work as an application designer after he graduates.
鈥淐omputers were always my thing,鈥� he said. 鈥淚鈥檇 like to develop an app that moves the data off the vehicle awareness device (VAD) 鈥� allowing for quick and easy access to analyze and interpret the numbers.鈥�
Rick Byrd, Electronics Tech Intermediate for the Ann Arbor Connected Vehicle Test Environment at UMTRI, serves as Tuttle鈥檚 supervisor. Byrd has been instrumental in giving Tuttle the knowledge to be able to install the equipment and also instructed him about the value of diagnosing and repairing equipment. 鈥淭uttle has been great to work with as we learn together about the rapidly advancing world of connected vehicle technology,鈥� said Byrd. 鈥淭he connected vehicle study has given us a good opportunity to really begin to understand the technology involved. This knowledge is vital as the as the field of connected vehicles is growing immensely.鈥�
鈥淚t鈥檚 a real community at 黑料网,鈥� says Tuttle. 鈥淢y experiences on the 黑料网 campus have connected me to people, places and knowledge that have enhanced my life and will shape my future. It doesn鈥檛 get much better than that.鈥�
UMTRI is looking for drivers and vehicles to participate in its research. For information or to sign up, email [email protected].
By Susan Ferraro, APR
Director of Public Relations