In math we researched a problem based on driving so that we could gain a better understanding of the problem solving cycle. The problem solving cycle is a cycle that exists in every more complex problem. I used the cycle to do a survey and calculate how many people use their cars to travel short distances and how that affects the environment.
How often do people drive their car to get somewhere that isn’t very far away? Do most people choose to walk, skateboard or ride a bike to travel those short distances? I went around and asked different people which mode of transportation they choose to use more often when traveling a distance less than 5 miles. Considering that Durango has a large biking, hiking and skateboarding community, many individuals choose to not use their cars when traveling short distances. However, due to varying factors, such as being late, poor weather conditions, having large things that they need to use a car to transport or just the simple convenience of driving, people often choose to use their cars to get to nearby places. But on average which do people do more often drive, or use an eco-friendly mode of transportation and how is it affecting our environment? Even if an individual wants to ride a bike as an alternate form of transportation they may not be able to for financial reasons. Considering the cheapest bike one could buy will most likely be at least one hundred dollars and on average 5 miles worth of gas costs fifty cents, it is much more financially feasible to drive if one already owns a vehicle. However, overtime it is likely that one would save money by purchasing a bike if they rode it frequently as an alternate form of transportation. The average passenger vehicle emits 411 grams of Carbon Dioxide per mile (nepis.epa.gov). When 11 out of every 20 people in Durango are using their cars regularly to travel distances less than 5 miles that adds up to a lot of unnecessary carbon emissions. If 20 out of every 20 people in Durango were to use eco-friendly forms of transportation to travel distances less than 5 miles about 41100 grams of carbon dioxide would be saved per every 20 people. |