thebattalion ● tuesday,
july 17, 2012
● serving
texas a&m since 1893
● first paper free – additional copies $1 ● © 2012 student media
Chariot charged Transportation Services boosts operations with electric ‘green’ tech Robby Smith & Trevor Stevens The Battalion
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lad in helmets, gray shirts and neon vests, parking patrolmen whiz by walking students on their high-tech T3 Electric Standup Vehicles. The three-wheeled “chariots” are one of several new technologies Transportation Services has added to “more efficiently” manage parking- and transportation-related issues at Texas A&M University.
Quick stats ◗ The T3 ESV can reach speeds of 18 mph, but is locked at 8 mph for safety. ◗ Three T3 chariots
Roger Zhang — THE BATTALION
“We continue to loo look for the newest technology in order to communicate and conduct business with our customers in the easiest and most efficient ways for them,” said June Broughton, marketing manager ffor Transportation Services. Broughton sa said Transportation Services focuses on including ““green initiatives” into the budgetary process. She said the pro enf enforcement team utilizes uti the all-electric, tr three-wheeled ch chariots in order to m move about campu and remote lots pus quic quicker and more efficiently ficiently. The electric operation oof the T3 is estimated to be equivalent to more mor than 500 mpg of gasoline. “Walking was the met method most of those
who are using the T3s had,” said Pete Willis, Transportation Services parking services manager. “[But] our enforcement team continues to use scooters, walking and bicycles, as well.” Students are aware that the T3 is more environmentally friendly than the gasoline powered scooters, but some are not supportive of how Transportation Services, which is partially supported by tickets and student fees, is spending its funds. Brenton Stamper, senior biological and agricultural engineering major, said both scooters and T3s will have a carbon footprint, so in the end, there is still going to be an effect on the environment. “[The T3s] kind of remind me of ‘The Jetson’s’ in real life. I feel like there may be more efficient ways to spend that much money when trying to be ‘green’ as opposed to getting the newest, most improved ways of transportation,” said junior See Transportation on page 3
help cover the largest university parking operation, and three more are on the way.
◗ One electric T3 chariot saves the equivalent of more than 500 mpg of gasoline. ◗ Transportation Services provides 45,000 bus rides per day, makes gates go up and down 9,000 times per day, dispenses more than 2,000 gallons of fuel per day and maintains and fuels 650 vehicles and 80 buses.
thebatt.com
campus
Now that’s country
Bike safety concerns escalate on campus
In case you weren’t at the Randy Rogers-Wade Bowen concert at Hurricane Harry’s last week, check out thebatt.com for a review of the show and information about upcoming country music concerts.
inside sports | 5 Uniforms upgrade image The Athletics Department unveils new football uniforms, drawing inspiration from the 1970s.
voices | 6 College fails to support pluralism Universities should be a safe place for students to disagree. For this to happen, Texas A&M must encourage a diversity of views from students and faculty.
UPD-issued traffic citations continue to stack against cyclists Aaron Deering The Battalion When driving around campus, it can be hard to find a parking spot. Or, the bus schedule might not meet your class schedule. One alternative is to ride your bike. There are more than 2,000 bicycles registered at Texas A&M University according to Transportations Services. And riders of these bikes are under the same scrutiny as those driving cars. Lt. Allan Baron, of the A&M University Police Department, said he hopes more students
will realize this for everyone’s safety. “A bicycle is a vehicle and a person operating a bicycle has the same responsibilities as a driver operating a motor vehicle,” Baron said. “All laws and signs that regulate the movement of vehicles on the roadway also apply to bicycles.” One of the most frequent violations is running signs at intersections. The most highly ticketed are East Main Circle, South Bizzell and Ireland Street. With an increase of bike riders over the last few years, the department has also seen an increase of citations written to bike riders. UPD writes an estimated 10 to 15 citations or warnings a week. Along with not obeying stop signs, cyclists See Bicycles on page 3
Roger Zhang — THE BATTALION
University Police Department writes an estimated 10 to 15 citations or warnings per week.
science
athletics
Department receives cutting edge equipment
Cyclists, runners route courses to keep fit Camryn Ford The Battalion
2010. The facility accommodates NMR spectrometers with two-story-high ceilings and space to accommodate the strong magnetic fields generated by the spectrometers. Three current medium-field spectrometers
Summer heat waves seem almost non-existent to avid runners and cyclists in Bryan-College Station. Despite fears of heat stroke, there are those who fight past it toward the hope of fitness and well being. Runners are in full swing this summer. Whether it’s 6 a.m., high noon or midnight, students are throwing their leg muscles into gear. “In the summer, I usually do most of my longer workouts [in the] early morning or late at night after it has cooled down a little bit,” said Robert Dao, junior kinesiology major and president of the Texas A&M University Triathlon Team. Cyclists aren’t seen as much because they tend to stick to the scenic, back
See Spectrometer on page 4
See Routes on page 4
Roger Zhang The Battalion Many have taken an X-ray, CT scan or MRI at a hospital to diagnose a broken leg, but the same principle can be used to get a close-up view of individual molecules. Texas A&M University’s Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics received a Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectrometer that will expand macromolecular research. “We’ve been working toward this moment for seven or eight years so it’s very satisfying to see us finally at the position to realize the potential of the facility and the instrument,” said Gregory Reinhart, professor and head of the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics. The NMR Building, a wing of the Biochemistry-Biophysics Building, underwent construction from November 2008 to July
Roger Zhang — THE BATTALION
Doug Lyons, a technician, guides the NMR Spectrometer as it’s lowered from the roof.
The Midtown wn Men
First National Tour of One of Broadway’s Newest Musical Hits!
Carol Burnett
Run The Batt route Five-kilometer routes have proved to be most popular, so The Battalion staff marked a scenic 5K route around campus for students to test out.
Martha Graham Dance
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