A tentative project title: Optimize thermal performance of
refrigerated vehicles in the distribution of perishable goods.
Refrigerated containers are widely used for the transport of perishable
goods. It helps to prevent the growth of decay producing
microorganisms and regulate the loss of water by providing high air
humidity. The modes of freight transportation are mainly road, sea,
rail and air. In Australia 46% of total tonne-kilometres of articulated
vehicles are moved by road. Freight containers are moved in Australia
across vast distances because of the size of the country and different
geography.
To ensure the optimum quality of the product the temperature of the
refrigerated products and the distribution process must be kept in
close limits. The changing lifestyle leads to increase the use of
refrigerated foods, which are very easier to prepare than the
traditional type of foods. In fact, there are several factors affecting the
quality of the products such as initial quality of the product, storage
temperature, transport and distribution temperature, packaging and
handling system, relative humidity of the post production environment
however, the quality of product may change while transport and
storage. Normally metabolic activities are generally increase with
respect to the increase in storing temperature. Sometimes the small
interruptions in the control of cold chain may lead to sudden decay of
product.
In practical it is very difficult to maintain an optimum temperature
throughout the postproduction process. Even road transport can give
satisfactory temperature only with in the limit of acceptability because
it may vary because of either long distance delivery or short distance
delivery with frequent door openings.
In this paper, I would like to do a Time Temperature Indicator Analysis
(TTI) of distribution of refrigerated products in a rout containing
different customers with different choices. The TTI analysis can be
effectively monitor the time and temperature impacts on product
quality and also detect a cost-effective way to find problematic points
in chill chains.
Research proposal
The purpose of the proposal is to:
• convince your supervisor you are capable of undertaking a research project,
• explain in detail the background of the problem you are working on. Highlight its importance!
• review the contributions of others to this area of research,
• spell out the research question you are looking to answer,
• present a framework of your approach to solution and
• propose a timeline of execution and describe the needed resources.
• This assignment will be the first chapter of your thesis later on (i.e. the “Introduction”).Sections of the proposal document
The structure of the proposal document is not set in stone. However, a reasonable structure is as
follows; (Do not forget to check out the marking scheme given on Moodle)
Problem Statement
Literature Review
Scope of the Proposed Work
Proposed Approach
Timeline and Resources
List of ReferencesProblem statement
• Write like a professional and set the scene. Start from background information and gradually converge to the
problem at hand - cite references here!
• Bear in mind that you are conducting research work rather than consultancy!!
(talk about the research problem in terms of being a general concern as opposed to limiting your
discussions to a specific company, community etc.)
• Use scientific definitions (lingo) and theory when you describe the problem – cite references here too!
(start from fundamentals - why it occurs- what factors affect it and how? You can quote others here)
• Highlight the importance of the project you are working on - cite references here three
(Relevance: applications, cost saving, quality improvement, increased productivity, reliability, etc.)
• Use illustrations and graphs if you need – acknowledge sources to avoid plagiarism
• Allocate 2 to 4 pages for this section. More if needed!Students: Please pause here now. Go back to the previous slide,
“Problem Statement” and read it again!
Now, spend 5 to 10 minutes pondering on how to apply the advice
given on the slide to your project. The idea here is to make people
appreciate that you are working on a great project!
Scribble down some brief description of the main ideas which your
problem statement should include.
Now move on to the next slide!Literature survey
• Copy and paste your previous Lit Survey submission under this heading!
• Expand it with new papers which you may have added since
• Add new comments to your critical revision if you have made some new observations
• Did you have a look at the databases available on the library website?
• You can get more papers via the Document Delivery Services of our library. Enquire!Scope of the proposed project
• Generally, under this heading you describe the boundaries of your project. Your deliverables? E.g. ” This project
is crafted to investigate the effects of bearing vibration on the fatigue life of petrol engine crankshafts. A
theoretical study will be conducted using the method of finite elements”…..! This statement indirectly suggests
to the reader not to expect experiments in the project. Such a statement may prove to be a safety net on the long
run.
• You can start by stating a concise and very clear single-phrased “Research Question” on a line or two! Type
this question under the subheading, “Research Question”
• Make sure that the discussions presented under the Research Question will detail the parameters you are
working to, your assumptions and the limitations on your results.Proposed approach
• Under this heading explain your Research Methodology.
• Research Methodology may feature any combination of the following:
• Use of mathematical models. Which models? Which theory is involved? Who else used this models?
• Use of computational methods and simulation (e.g. software packages). Describe expected limitations!
• Use of data collection and analysis (surveys or acquired from a source. Think statistical analysis!)
• Use of experimental techniques (describe setup and limitations). Who else used the same approach? What
are you proposing to do differently!
• Research Methodology must be grounded in scientific theory: Refer to relevant theories in your writing.
• You need to convince your supervisor that you are familiar with the fundamentals
• Allocate 2 to 3 pages for the sections of Scope and Approach combined. You can use more space if needed.Timeline and Resources
• Break down the project in a number of tasks?
• Estimate time and resources needed for each task
• Create a chart (e.g. Gantt chart) with the timeline. You may, instead, use a table to present the timeline.
• Specify the resources required for the project. Comment on their availability.
• People are also resources
• A page would be adequate for this section.
• This whole section presents only initial estimates and can be modified later on as needed.List of References
• An essential section of every submission and assignment
• Use APA format.
• If this assignment is due after the introductory presentations, use comments and questions from the audience to
improve your Research project proposal before you submit it for marking!
• Please have a look at the marking scheme!
Marking Scheme for the Project Proposal
Marking
Criteria
Detail
s
Out
of
Awarde
d
Overall Quality
The document is well formated and organised as
expected of a
professional engineer.
Clear reference to others' work is obvious throughtout
the doc.
10
0
Added Marks
Research
question
Clearly formulated with a focus and rationale
embedded in theory
10
0
Use of
literature
survey
Outstanding use of published work to support
proposed approach
This section reflect ability to build up cirtical views
15
0
Use of
scientific
theory
Familiarity with theory is obvious
Detailed understanding of the existing approaches
The proposed approached in theory‐based
30
0
Researc
h
Methodolog
y
Clear understanding of the research methodogy
proposed. Appreciation of the possible issues
associated with selected approach.
15
0
Scope of
the propsed
work
This section spells out what the deliverables of the
project will be. The limitaions of the resulting outcome
are also reflected on.
5
0
Project
organisatio
n
The proposed timeline is tabulated with mile stones
clearly pointed out.
Resources required for the project are detailed with
comments on availability
15
0
Tables and
Figures
Tables and figures are well presented, numbered and
captioned.
30
0
Deducted
Language
Use of English is clear and professional. Spelling and
grammar is at the level expected of a professional
engineer.
40
0
References
The contains contains a list of references that complies
with the
APA referencing standards.
30
0
0