After the

Flight

Background Information

Transportation decisions are made based on many considerations in addition to energy efficiency and environmental impacts. These can include convenience, speed, comfort, and cost.

In this activity, students are encouraged to think of transportation advice they would give a friend, the reasons why and energy and environmental implications.

Student Activities

A friend will be flying from Indiana to spend a week with you. Your parents will be unable to pick him/her up at the airport. Your friend has never been to your state. How would you advise him/her to get from the airport to your home?

1. Investigate options for travel:

a. from the airport to your town:

• bus
• van
• shuttle

b. from the town stop to your home:

• taxi
• trolley
• others

2. Check the phone book for transportation options.

3. Record information:

Airport to town:

Town stop:

4. Compare costs:

-List type of transportation.

-Calculate miles traveled.

-For car travel, calculate:

• gas mileage
• cost of gas (See the "Smart" Shopping Trips Module, Appendix A)

-Calculate emissions (See Appendix B).

Transportation	Gas Used	Cost of Gas	Emissions C02	Emissions NO	Emissions SO2

5. List information for you choice:

Type of transportation____________________

Company name________________________ Cost_________________________________

Pick up location________________________

Drop off location________________________

Pick up time___________________________

Drop off time___________________________

Total trip time__________________________

6. Provide advice for your friend.

7. After thinking through alternatives and giving your advice, assess your choice based on the considerations listed:

• cost
• time
• convenience
• privacy
• independence
• energy impacts
• energy efficiency
• environmental impacts

8. Did you give the best advice? Defend your choice.

Teacher Notes

Students may choose a mode of transportation that is convenient and comfortable rather than energy efficient and environmentally benign. Allow them to make decisions and defend them. Encourage them to discuss and rate decisions based on several criteria.

Interdisciplinary Approach: Earth Science and Math.