Emerging Technologies in Transportation Casebook/3D Printing

Local Motors' Strati, the world's first 3D printed car

Introduction

This case study on 3D Printing and Transportation was written by Brendan Lyon and Marisa Migliore, graduate students studying Transportation Policy, Operations, and Logistics and Transportation Engineering. It was created for Dr. Jonathan Gifford's Emerging Technology, Transportation and Public Policy class in the George Mason University Schar School of Policy and Government. Topics covered include current and possible impacts of 3D Printing on transportation manufacturing, infrastructure and logistics, as well as the policy implications of these impacts.

Table of Contents

Introduction

• What is 3D Printing? Software & Hardware
• Implementation: current uses of 3D Printing
• Future developments

Effects on transportation

• Direct effects
• Indirect effects
• Challenges