Generations of Pride - Texas Southern University

TSU Installs State-of-the-Art Full-Motion Driving SimulatorBy Osjetta Gascey-MorrisTexas Southern Universityintroduced a state-ofthe-art,full-motion drivingsimulator in the College ofScience and Technology. Dr. LeiYu, chair of the Department ofTransportation Studies, provideda training demonstration byDriveSafety, Inc. for students,researchers, faculty and staff onApril 21, 2006.The new equipment presentsa very powerful tool for conducting advancedtransportation research. It can be used formany advanced transportation studies, such asdesign and evaluation of automotive productsand technologies, assessment of IntelligentTransportation System concepts, driver preferenceand acceptance research, accident analysis anddevelopment of crash avoidance counter-measures.The world-class simulator, model DS-600c,was developed by DriveSafety, Inc. and is a highfidelityand motion capable driving simulator.Provost Bobby Wilson tries out the drivingsimulator.It provides a true-to-life,scientifically validateddriving experience. Thevisual display consists ofthree large screens witha 135-degree wide-anglefield of view, and stereocomponents provideauditory feedback. A motionplatform gives initial cuesin the form of pitch andlongitudinal motion. Avalidated vehicle dynamics program governs thebehavior of the vehicles in the simulation. All ofthese provide the realistic feel of driving.While TSU is the second institution in the stateof Texas to own this equipment, the University hasthe newest version. The advanced equipment placesTSU in a position to compete for external fundingin the areas of intelligence transportation systems,traffic safety and much more.Alumna Enjoys TelecommuteBy K. BroussardIn an effort to create a strategyfor decongesting Houston’sfreeways, Mayor Bill Whiterecently implemented aninitiative to encourage Houstoncompanies to offer flexiblework schedules. TSU alumna,Kimberly Haywood-Evans(‘01) reaped the benefits of thisinitiative.A graduate of TSU’s healthinformation management program, Haywood-Evansis a medical coder with St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospitallocated in the Texas Medical Center. St. Luke’soriginally began the initiative over a year ago to see iftheir employees could work from home effectively. Thehospital also figured the “work-from-home” optionwould be a great recruiting andretention tool as employeescould alleviate their regularcommute to the Texas MedicalCenter every day, while savingtime, gas and sanity.Haywood-Evans, whocurrently resides in Katy, hasenjoyed her traffic-free days forover a year. She works full-timeand is able to put more energyand focus into her job.“I love it,” she said. She completes her job dutiesjust as efficiently and effectively, as well as saves moneyon gas and has more time for herself. Overall, it hasmade for a less stressful work experience; and for that,she is thrilled.Generations of Pride • Spring 2006 5