cutting edge proposal

Introduction Existing Research Methodologies Dissemination

The Cutting Edge:Modeling Mowing

Jason NovingerMentor: Dr. Jon Beck

June 13, 2006

Introduction Existing Research Methodologies Dissemination

Acknowledgement

Also the LATEXsystem for providing such a simpleand powerful way to typeset my proposal and this

presentation.

Introduction Existing Research Methodologies Dissemination

Outline of Presentation

• Why should we study mowing patterns?

• What in the world are we researching?

• Who else is researching this?

• How will we conduct the research?

• When and where will we report our results?

Introduction Existing Research Methodologies Dissemination

Outline of Presentation

• Why should we study mowing patterns?

• What in the world are we researching?

• Who else is researching this?

• How will we conduct the research?

• When and where will we report our results?

Introduction Existing Research Methodologies Dissemination

Outline of Presentation

• Why should we study mowing patterns?

• What in the world are we researching?

• Who else is researching this?

• How will we conduct the research?

• When and where will we report our results?

Introduction Existing Research Methodologies Dissemination

Outline of Presentation

• Why should we study mowing patterns?

• What in the world are we researching?

• Who else is researching this?

• How will we conduct the research?

• When and where will we report our results?

Introduction Existing Research Methodologies Dissemination

Outline of Presentation

• Why should we study mowing patterns?

• What in the world are we researching?

• Who else is researching this?

• How will we conduct the research?

• When and where will we report our results?

Introduction Existing Research Methodologies Dissemination

Outline of Presentation

• Why should we study mowing patterns?

• What in the world are we researching?

• Who else is researching this?

• How will we conduct the research?

• When and where will we report our results?

Introduction Existing Research Methodologies Dissemination

Why should we study mowing?Mowing is important because:

• Mowing is a common activity on farms andlarge parcels of land

• Mowing has costs that need to be minimized(time, labor, equipment, etc.)

• Mowing represents other activities on farms like

• Planting• Fertilizing• Harvesting

Introduction Existing Research Methodologies Dissemination

Why should we study mowing?Mowing is important because:

• Mowing is a common activity on farms andlarge parcels of land

• Mowing has costs that need to be minimized(time, labor, equipment, etc.)

• Mowing represents other activities on farms like

• Planting• Fertilizing• Harvesting

Introduction Existing Research Methodologies Dissemination

Why should we study mowing?Mowing is important because:

• Mowing is a common activity on farms andlarge parcels of land

• Mowing has costs that need to be minimized(time, labor, equipment, etc.)

• Mowing represents other activities on farms like

• Planting• Fertilizing• Harvesting

Introduction Existing Research Methodologies Dissemination

Why should we study mowing?Mowing is important because:

• Mowing is a common activity on farms andlarge parcels of land

• Mowing has costs that need to be minimized(time, labor, equipment, etc.)

• Mowing represents other activities on farms like

• Planting• Fertilizing• Harvesting

Introduction Existing Research Methodologies Dissemination

Why should we study mowing?Mowing is important because:

• Mowing is a common activity on farms andlarge parcels of land

• Mowing has costs that need to be minimized(time, labor, equipment, etc.)

• Mowing represents other activities on farms like

• Planting• Fertilizing• Harvesting

Introduction Existing Research Methodologies Dissemination

Why else should we study mowing?Mowing represents a common problem—an areaneeds to be covered or swept while optimizing somevariable. Other applications are:

• Computer-assisted search and rescue operations

• CNC machines used to fabricate custom parts

• Coating a product with paint

Introduction Existing Research Methodologies Dissemination

What mowing pattern are we analyzing?

• Comparing square or rectilinear mowingpatterns with spiral patterns

• Looking at an inside-out spiral. Start at centerand work our way out

• Which method is optimal in terms of money ortime?

Introduction Existing Research Methodologies Dissemination

What mowing pattern are we analyzing?• Comparing square or rectilinear mowing

patterns with spiral patterns

• Looking at an inside-out spiral. Start at centerand work our way out

• Which method is optimal in terms of money ortime?

Introduction Existing Research Methodologies Dissemination

What mowing pattern are we analyzing?• Comparing square or rectilinear mowing

patterns with spiral patterns• Looking at an inside-out spiral. Start at center

and work our way out

• Which method is optimal in terms of money ortime?

Introduction Existing Research Methodologies Dissemination

What mowing pattern are we analyzing?• Comparing square or rectilinear mowing

patterns with spiral patterns• Looking at an inside-out spiral. Start at center

and work our way out

• Which method is optimal in terms of money ortime?

Introduction Existing Research Methodologies Dissemination

Previous Research

• Previous work at Truman State University

• 2005 - Gordon laid foundations for this summer’swork

• Identified basic questions and goals• Dr. Beck’s Spring 2006 CS 370 class• Provided code to model mowing process

• Classic observations study of mowing efficiency

• 1987 - Pandey and Devani detail efficiencies oftwo- and four-sided mowing patterns.

• Found that use of both methods was most efficient• Introduced idea that turns were wasted time

Introduction Existing Research Methodologies Dissemination

Previous Research• Previous work at Truman State University

• 2005 - Gordon laid foundations for this summer’swork

• Identified basic questions and goals• Dr. Beck’s Spring 2006 CS 370 class• Provided code to model mowing process

• Classic observations study of mowing efficiency

• 1987 - Pandey and Devani detail efficiencies oftwo- and four-sided mowing patterns.

• Found that use of both methods was most efficient• Introduced idea that turns were wasted time

Introduction Existing Research Methodologies Dissemination

Previous Research• Previous work at Truman State University

• 2005 - Gordon laid foundations for this summer’swork

• Identified basic questions and goals• Dr. Beck’s Spring 2006 CS 370 class• Provided code to model mowing process

• Classic observations study of mowing efficiency

• 1987 - Pandey and Devani detail efficiencies oftwo- and four-sided mowing patterns.

• Found that use of both methods was most efficient• Introduced idea that turns were wasted time

Introduction Existing Research Methodologies Dissemination

Previous Research• Previous work at Truman State University

• 2005 - Gordon laid foundations for this summer’swork

• Identified basic questions and goals

• Dr. Beck’s Spring 2006 CS 370 class• Provided code to model mowing process

• Classic observations study of mowing efficiency

• 1987 - Pandey and Devani detail efficiencies oftwo- and four-sided mowing patterns.

• Found that use of both methods was most efficient• Introduced idea that turns were wasted time

Introduction Existing Research Methodologies Dissemination

Previous Research• Previous work at Truman State University

• 2005 - Gordon laid foundations for this summer’swork

• Identified basic questions and goals• Dr. Beck’s Spring 2006 CS 370 class

• Provided code to model mowing process

• Classic observations study of mowing efficiency

• 1987 - Pandey and Devani detail efficiencies oftwo- and four-sided mowing patterns.

• Found that use of both methods was most efficient• Introduced idea that turns were wasted time

Introduction Existing Research Methodologies Dissemination

Previous Research• Previous work at Truman State University

• 2005 - Gordon laid foundations for this summer’swork

• Identified basic questions and goals• Dr. Beck’s Spring 2006 CS 370 class• Provided code to model mowing process

• Classic observations study of mowing efficiency

• 1987 - Pandey and Devani detail efficiencies oftwo- and four-sided mowing patterns.

• Found that use of both methods was most efficient• Introduced idea that turns were wasted time

Introduction Existing Research Methodologies Dissemination

Previous Research• Previous work at Truman State University

• 2005 - Gordon laid foundations for this summer’swork

• Identified basic questions and goals• Dr. Beck’s Spring 2006 CS 370 class• Provided code to model mowing process

• Classic observations study of mowing efficiency

• 1987 - Pandey and Devani detail efficiencies oftwo- and four-sided mowing patterns.

• Found that use of both methods was most efficient• Introduced idea that turns were wasted time

Introduction Existing Research Methodologies Dissemination

Previous Research• Previous work at Truman State University

• 2005 - Gordon laid foundations for this summer’swork

• Identified basic questions and goals• Dr. Beck’s Spring 2006 CS 370 class• Provided code to model mowing process

• Classic observations study of mowing efficiency• 1987 - Pandey and Devani detail efficiencies of

two- and four-sided mowing patterns.

• Found that use of both methods was most efficient• Introduced idea that turns were wasted time

Introduction Existing Research Methodologies Dissemination

Previous Research• Previous work at Truman State University

• 2005 - Gordon laid foundations for this summer’swork

• Identified basic questions and goals• Dr. Beck’s Spring 2006 CS 370 class• Provided code to model mowing process

• Classic observations study of mowing efficiency• 1987 - Pandey and Devani detail efficiencies of

two- and four-sided mowing patterns.• Found that use of both methods was most efficient

• Introduced idea that turns were wasted time

Introduction Existing Research Methodologies Dissemination

Previous Research• Previous work at Truman State University

• 2005 - Gordon laid foundations for this summer’swork

• Identified basic questions and goals• Dr. Beck’s Spring 2006 CS 370 class• Provided code to model mowing process

• Classic observations study of mowing efficiency• 1987 - Pandey and Devani detail efficiencies of

two- and four-sided mowing patterns.• Found that use of both methods was most efficient• Introduced idea that turns were wasted time

Introduction Existing Research Methodologies Dissemination

Previous Research

• Newer theoretical and simulation studies

• 2000 - Huang suggests breaking fields into tosmaller units to minimize number of turns

• 2000 - Arkin, et al. model field sweepingmathematically and provide approximationalgorithms

• Study of wider applications, particularly impacton wildlife

• 1998 - Tyler, et al. find link between mowingpatterns and wildlife survival rate of Crex crexchicks

Introduction Existing Research Methodologies Dissemination

Previous Research• Newer theoretical and simulation studies

• 2000 - Huang suggests breaking fields into tosmaller units to minimize number of turns

• 2000 - Arkin, et al. model field sweepingmathematically and provide approximationalgorithms

• Study of wider applications, particularly impacton wildlife

• 1998 - Tyler, et al. find link between mowingpatterns and wildlife survival rate of Crex crexchicks

Introduction Existing Research Methodologies Dissemination

Previous Research• Newer theoretical and simulation studies

• 2000 - Huang suggests breaking fields into tosmaller units to minimize number of turns

• 2000 - Arkin, et al. model field sweepingmathematically and provide approximationalgorithms

• Study of wider applications, particularly impacton wildlife

• 1998 - Tyler, et al. find link between mowingpatterns and wildlife survival rate of Crex crexchicks

Introduction Existing Research Methodologies Dissemination

Previous Research• Newer theoretical and simulation studies

• 2000 - Huang suggests breaking fields into tosmaller units to minimize number of turns

• 2000 - Arkin, et al. model field sweepingmathematically and provide approximationalgorithms

• Study of wider applications, particularly impacton wildlife

• 1998 - Tyler, et al. find link between mowingpatterns and wildlife survival rate of Crex crexchicks

Introduction Existing Research Methodologies Dissemination

Previous Research• Newer theoretical and simulation studies

• 2000 - Huang suggests breaking fields into tosmaller units to minimize number of turns

• 2000 - Arkin, et al. model field sweepingmathematically and provide approximationalgorithms

• Study of wider applications, particularly impacton wildlife

• 1998 - Tyler, et al. find link between mowingpatterns and wildlife survival rate of Crex crexchicks

Introduction Existing Research Methodologies Dissemination

Previous Research• Newer theoretical and simulation studies

• 2000 - Huang suggests breaking fields into tosmaller units to minimize number of turns

• 2000 - Arkin, et al. model field sweepingmathematically and provide approximationalgorithms

• Study of wider applications, particularly impacton wildlife

• 1998 - Tyler, et al. find link between mowingpatterns and wildlife survival rate of Crex crexchicks

Introduction Existing Research Methodologies Dissemination

How will we conduct the research?Three step process

• Make physical observations about mowingequipment and patterns

• Equipment speed, turning radius, mowing width• Time needed to make turns, adjustments

• Mathematically model the process of mowing afield. Find equations to:

• Plot the path of the mowing equipment• Compute time needed to complete work• Determine area covered

• Build a graphical computer simulation of themowing process. To include:

• A representation of field being mowed• Optimized path given field shape

Introduction Existing Research Methodologies Dissemination

How will we conduct the research?Three step process

• Make physical observations about mowingequipment and patterns

• Equipment speed, turning radius, mowing width• Time needed to make turns, adjustments

• Mathematically model the process of mowing afield. Find equations to:

• Plot the path of the mowing equipment• Compute time needed to complete work• Determine area covered

• Build a graphical computer simulation of themowing process. To include:

• A representation of field being mowed• Optimized path given field shape

Introduction Existing Research Methodologies Dissemination

How will we conduct the research?Three step process

• Make physical observations about mowingequipment and patterns

• Equipment speed, turning radius, mowing width

• Time needed to make turns, adjustments

• Mathematically model the process of mowing afield. Find equations to:

• Plot the path of the mowing equipment• Compute time needed to complete work• Determine area covered

• Build a graphical computer simulation of themowing process. To include:

• A representation of field being mowed• Optimized path given field shape

Introduction Existing Research Methodologies Dissemination

How will we conduct the research?Three step process

• Make physical observations about mowingequipment and patterns

• Equipment speed, turning radius, mowing width• Time needed to make turns, adjustments

• Mathematically model the process of mowing afield. Find equations to:

• Plot the path of the mowing equipment• Compute time needed to complete work• Determine area covered

• Build a graphical computer simulation of themowing process. To include:

• A representation of field being mowed• Optimized path given field shape

Introduction Existing Research Methodologies Dissemination

How will we conduct the research?Three step process

• Make physical observations about mowingequipment and patterns

• Equipment speed, turning radius, mowing width• Time needed to make turns, adjustments

• Mathematically model the process of mowing afield. Find equations to:

• Plot the path of the mowing equipment• Compute time needed to complete work• Determine area covered

• Build a graphical computer simulation of themowing process. To include:

• A representation of field being mowed• Optimized path given field shape

Introduction Existing Research Methodologies Dissemination

How will we conduct the research?Three step process

• Make physical observations about mowingequipment and patterns

• Equipment speed, turning radius, mowing width• Time needed to make turns, adjustments

• Mathematically model the process of mowing afield. Find equations to:

• Plot the path of the mowing equipment

• Compute time needed to complete work• Determine area covered

• Build a graphical computer simulation of themowing process. To include:

• A representation of field being mowed• Optimized path given field shape

Introduction Existing Research Methodologies Dissemination

How will we conduct the research?Three step process

• Make physical observations about mowingequipment and patterns

• Equipment speed, turning radius, mowing width• Time needed to make turns, adjustments

• Mathematically model the process of mowing afield. Find equations to:

• Plot the path of the mowing equipment• Compute time needed to complete work

• Determine area covered

• Build a graphical computer simulation of themowing process. To include:

• A representation of field being mowed• Optimized path given field shape

Introduction Existing Research Methodologies Dissemination

How will we conduct the research?Three step process

• Make physical observations about mowingequipment and patterns

• Equipment speed, turning radius, mowing width• Time needed to make turns, adjustments

• Mathematically model the process of mowing afield. Find equations to:

• Plot the path of the mowing equipment• Compute time needed to complete work• Determine area covered

• Build a graphical computer simulation of themowing process. To include:

• A representation of field being mowed• Optimized path given field shape

Introduction Existing Research Methodologies Dissemination

How will we conduct the research?Three step process

• Make physical observations about mowingequipment and patterns

• Equipment speed, turning radius, mowing width• Time needed to make turns, adjustments

• Mathematically model the process of mowing afield. Find equations to:

• Plot the path of the mowing equipment• Compute time needed to complete work• Determine area covered

• Build a graphical computer simulation of themowing process. To include:

• A representation of field being mowed• Optimized path given field shape

Introduction Existing Research Methodologies Dissemination

How will we conduct the research?Three step process

• Make physical observations about mowingequipment and patterns

• Equipment speed, turning radius, mowing width• Time needed to make turns, adjustments

• Mathematically model the process of mowing afield. Find equations to:

• Plot the path of the mowing equipment• Compute time needed to complete work• Determine area covered

• Build a graphical computer simulation of themowing process. To include:

• A representation of field being mowed

• Optimized path given field shape

Introduction Existing Research Methodologies Dissemination

How will we conduct the research?Three step process

• Make physical observations about mowingequipment and patterns

• Equipment speed, turning radius, mowing width• Time needed to make turns, adjustments

• Mathematically model the process of mowing afield. Find equations to:

• Plot the path of the mowing equipment• Compute time needed to complete work• Determine area covered

• Build a graphical computer simulation of themowing process. To include:

• A representation of field being mowed• Optimized path given field shape

Introduction Existing Research Methodologies Dissemination

When and where will we share our results?Our results will be presented at:

• The 2006 STEP Summer UndergraduateResearch Symposium, August 2-3, 2006

• The 20th Annual Truman State UniversityStudent Research Conference, April 2007

• This research may also be presented atadditional research conferences and submittedfor publication as opportunities allow

• This research will also provide a foundation foradditional research into efficient fieldoperations at Truman State University