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  • Network Development and Autonomous Vehicles: A Smart Transportation Testbed at Fort Carson

    Abstract: In this work, a smart transportation testbed was utilized at Fort Carson to demonstrate three use cases for the primary purpose to plan, develop, demonstrate, and employ autonomous vehicle technologies at military installations and within the surrounding communities to evaluate commercially available Connected and Automated Vehicles and the potential to reduce base operating costs, improve safety and quality of life for military service members and their families, and deliver services more efficiently and effectively. To meet this purpose, an automated vehicle shuttle, an unmanned aerial system, and a wireless network were used and tested during the project. Results for the automated shuttle indicated that de-spite the quantity of data generated by operations, the contractors may not be ready to share information in a readily usable format. Additionally, successful use by the public is predicated on both knowing their mobility patterns and staff members promoting trust in the technology to prospective riders. Results for the unmanned aerial system showed successful identification of foreign object debris and runway cracks at the airfield. The wireless network is now operational and is used for additional work which utilizes the installed traffic cameras.

  • USACE Prepares for Tropical Storm Nicole

    As Tropical Storm Nicole makes its way toward Florida, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Jacksonville District is responding as needed and providing information to boaters and campers on operational adjustments to navigation, recreation, and Lake Okeechobee operations.

  • A 𝘬-Means Analysis of the Voltage Response of a Soil-Based Microbial Fuel Cell to an Injected Military-Relevant Compound (Urea)

    Abstract: Biotechnology offers new ways to use biological processes as environmental sensors. For example, in soil microbial fuel cells (MFCs), soil electro-genic microorganisms are recruited to electrodes embedded in soil and produce electricity (measured by voltage) through the breakdown of substrate. Because the voltage produced by the electrogenic microbes is a function of their environment, we hypothesize that the voltage may change in a characteristic manner given environmental disturbances, such as the contamination by exogenous material, in a way that can be modelled and serve as a diagnostic. In this study, we aimed to statistically analyze voltage from soil MFCs injected with urea as a proxy for gross contamination. Specifically, we used 𝘬-means clustering to discern between voltage output before and after the injection of urea. Our results showed that the 𝘬-means algorithm recognized 4–6 distinctive voltage regions, defining unique periods of the MFC voltage that clearly identify pre- and postinjection and other phases of the MFC lifecycle. This demonstrates that 𝘬-means can identify voltage patterns temporally, which could be further improve the sensing capabilities of MFCs by identifying specific regions of dissimilarity in voltage, indicating changes in the environment.

  • Huntsville Center hosts RCWM Quarterly meeting

    HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – The U.S. Army Engineering and Support Center, Huntsville hosted members of the Recovered Chemical Warfare Materiel Program (RCWM) for their quarterly meeting November 2.

  • Public comment period begins for Upper Guadalupe River report

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers San Francisco District (USACE), in collaboration with the Santa Clara Valley Water District as our non-federal sponsor, has prepared a Draft General Reevaluation Report and National Environmental Policy Act Supplemental Environmental Assessment (GRR/EA) for the Upper Guadalupe River Flood Risk Management Reformulation Study in San Jose, Calif.

  • Public comments sought on plan for Lower Pool 13 Habitat Rehabilitation and Enhancement Project

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District and its Upper Mississippi River Restoration Program partners are constructing a habitat rehabilitation project in Lower Pool 13 of the Mississippi River near Clinton, Iowa, and are seeking comments on the project plan. A virtual question and answer session will be held Nov. 17 at 4 p.m. for anyone interested in learning more about the project or providing feedback to the team. The draft feasibility report, which includes the project’s tentatively selected plan and an environmental assessment are available for public review at: https://dvidshub.net/r/yl8viq. Details on how to participate in the virtual question and answer session can also be found at the site.

  • Cold Regions Vehicle Start: Next-Generation Lithium-Ion Battery Technologies for Stryker Vehicles

    Abstract: Operating vehicles in extremely cold environments is a significant problem for not only the public but also the military. The Department of Defense has encountered issues when trying to reliably cold start large, heavy-duty military vehicles, specifically the M1126 Stryker Combat Vehicle, in cold regions. As noted in previous work, the issue stems from the current battery technology’s limited temperature range. This current project utilized the protocol established in the previous phase to evaluate next-generation lithium-ion battery technologies for use in cold regions. Selected battery technologies met necessary military specifications for use in large military combat vehicles and were evaluated using a mechanical load system developed in previous work to simulate the starting of a Stryker engine. This work also evaluated the performance of the existing battery technology of a Stryker under Alaskan winter temperatures, which will verify the accuracy of the simulated cold room testing on the mechanical load system. The results of the tests showed that while the system was able to reliably operate down to −20°C, the battery management system encountered challenges at the lower end of the temperature range. This technology has a potential to reliably support cold regions operations but needs further evaluation.

  • Boundary Line Maintenance at J. Strom Thurmond Project

    AUGUSTA, Ga. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Savannah District has contracted R&D Maintenance Services to inspect and re-paint bands around each boundary tree, beginning later this week, for approximately 50 miles of the existing boundary line at J. Strom Thurmond Project.

  • USACE West Point Conducting Federal Boundary Line Inspection

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at West Point Project will begin seasonal maintenance of the government property line along the reservoir perimeter of West Point, Nov. 8.

  • SPD commander hopes to inspire new generations into USACE, STEAM careers

    Colonel Antoinette R. Gant proudly stands facing a packed room of family, friends, and colleagues. Her eyes are beaming. Her smile can’t be contained. She not only commands the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) South Pacific Division; she’s in complete command of the attention in the room. Her husband, son, and daughter join her on a small stage. With careful hands, her family unveils two shiny silver stars from decorative boxes. That’s the last time her family—and anyone else, for that matter—will see her in a colonel’s uniform.