Authors: Josie Allred
Mentors: John Salmon
Insitution: Brigham Young University
From the weekly grocery run to the daily commute to work or school, transportation plays a central role in meeting the basic needs of nearly every American family. Unfortunately, not everyone has equal access to safe, convenient, and efficient transportation. When not carefully planned and implemented, the advancement of transportation infrastructure and technology often favors high income communities. For example, in many areas, shared electric scooters and bicycles have been made more widely available in higher income neighborhoods, leaving lower-income communities with limited access to these micro-mobility options. The result of these and other similar developments is increased economic disparity and barriers to opportunity. One such transportation advancement for which careful implementation is vital is Wireless Power Transfer (WPT) technology for electric vehicles (EVs). WPT technology offers the potential for EVs to charge while in motion on the roads, thereby accelerating the adoption of EVs, and building a cleaner tomorrow. Through this research, we seek to contribute to a future of equitable integration of WPT technology into roadways across America. Because the demographics of Indianapolis closely resemble the US overall, a simulation was run with drivers in the city, using sample data from the US and Indianapolis. The simulation was then used to determine potential locations in which WPT technology could be effectively implemented. Informed by this and other research, WPT technology can be integrated in an intentional manner ensuring equitable access for people of any socioeconomic status.