WCX Technical Paper Authors Share Path to Publishing
Posted: May 2, 2023
Writing a technical paper may seem like a daunting task, and sharing research that will be exposed to as many people as you might reach at SAE International’s WCX can add that much more pressure.
We caught up with two WCX Technical paper authors to talk about their path to publishing with SAE. Lauren Mims, Senior Study Director at Westat, is co-author of What Makes Passengers Uncomfortable In Vehicles Today? An Exploratory Study of Current Factors that May Influence Acceptance of Future Autonomous Vehicles and Jongryeol Jeong, Argonne National Laboratory, is author of On-Track Demonstration of Automated Eco-Driving Control for an Electric Vehicle.
SAE International (SAE): Tell us a bit about your paper. What are some key takeaways for your audience?
Lauren Mims (LM): Our paper explores the factors that make passengers uncomfortable in vehicles today and how these factors may inform the design of future vehicles. Interviews were conducted with three diverse groups of participants, which included automotive engineering graduate students who were building an autonomous concept vehicle, non-technical adults, and senior citizens. Passenger discomfort was found to be attributed to a broad range of factors ranging from behaviors of the driver / vehicle that one is traveling with / in, the behaviors of other surrounding vehicles, the environmental conditions and the vehicle’s interior. There were some differences between the three groups investigated, but further exploration is needed to better understand passenger discomfort from broader groups of passengers.
Jongryeol Jeong (JJ): The paper demonstrates the effectiveness of an automated eco-driving control method for a real electric vehicle through on-track testing on a Chevrolet Bolt. The method uses a universal speed planner and V2I communication to optimize energy savings, calculating accel and brake pedal positions based on the vehicle's current state and environment. The tests were conducted under various road scenarios and control calibrations, each repeated three times with minimal test-to-test variability. The method was found to function without traffic law violations and with no excessive jerk, demonstrating its effectiveness in achieving energy savings of up to 7% without V2I and up to 22% with V2I connectivity. These results highlight the potential of real-world energy savings for connected and automated vehicles (CAVs).
SAE: What made you want to explore this area in a tech paper?
LM: Since our study was exploratory, a technical paper was the right outlet to share what we learned thus far as we continue to explore a variety of factors and user groups.
JJ: The reason I wanted to explore this area in a tech paper is because there has been limited research on demonstrating the effectiveness of an automated eco-driving control system for electric vehicles focusing on energy aspects. Through this paper, I hope to share my findings with other researchers interested in exploring similar methods for optimizing energy savings in CAVs.
SAE: How do you get started in writing a paper?
LM: We usually start with an outline. An outline helps you to think about the flow and content for each section of the paper. It also helps with the hardest part of writing, which is starting.
JJ: Getting started in writing a paper typically involves analyzing the research findings and organizing them in a logical and coherent manner. In this case, I analyzed the results of tests on a track to determine the impact of an eco-driving controller on energy consumption in various conditions. Then I organized the paper, starting from the fundamental algorithms used in the controller and progressing to the methodology of implementing the algorithm and conducting the tests. Overall, the process of getting started in writing a paper involves careful analysis, organization, and planning.
SAE: What does the publishing pipeline look like for you as a technical expert / author?
LM: The publishing pipeline for our group consists of dividing up the writing and numerous reviews. As sections are written, multiple group members review each section to gain multiple perspectives. Once the paper is near completion, other group members who have not been as involved in the writing, review to ensure the paper makes sense to the readers.
JJ: As a technical author, my publishing pipeline involves conducting research, analyzing data, writing, and revising the paper, submitting it, and responding to feedback. Throughout the process, it is important to maintain clear communication with co-authors and to ensure that the paper meets the standards and requirements.
SAE: Why did you choose to share your work with SAE through WCX?
LM: WCX is a great platform to share research for multiple reasons. First, the audience, who is a mixture of industry and academia focused on automotive related research. Second, being able to publish full length articles and third is having the opportunity to promote your work through presentations and networking.
JJ: I chose to share my work with SAE through WCX because it is one of the most valuable conferences in the automotive engineering field, and my paper focused on the new emerging technology of automated vehicles. This was a great opportunity to advertise our research and potentially find future collaborators in the field.
SAE: What advice do you have for young professionals who may also be interested in writing a technical paper but are unsure where to begin?
LM: Start reading. Read articles from your area of interest from a plethora of authors. You will learn a lot just by reading other’s methodologies and outcomes. When it comes to writing, start with an outline and continue populating the outline with information.
JJ: When beginning to write a technical paper, it's important to define the problem you're trying to solve and why it matters. This can help you focus your research and ensure that you're addressing a real-world issue that has practical applications. Consider the potential impact of your work and how it could contribute to the field. Starting with a clear understanding of why you're doing the research can help guide the entire paper-writing process.
Explore a variety of technical research through SAE's WCX technical papers, and get inspired to author your own research.
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