Abstract
Socio-technical thesis: Fuel Supply Chain and Autonomous Systems
Both my technical project and my STS research project explore the evolving relationship between people and new technologies. Although they focus on different contexts: sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in Virginia and the USS Vincennes incident, they share a thematic connection. In both projects, success depends not only on technological capability but also on human understanding, trust, and coordination with technology. Inspired by the framework from my STS paper, which examined how technology networks can either stabilize or collapse based on human decision-making, I approached both projects with the lens that building strong, resilient relationships between human and technological actors is critical for innovation and safety.
In my technical project, my team and I worked to find the most optimal way to supply Dulles Airport with sustainable aviation fuel. We modeled different supply chain scenarios using the Freight and Fuel Transportation Optimization Tool (FTOT) developed by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Our analysis considered various combinations of feedstocks, refinery locations, blending sites, and transportation methods to determine the most feasible paths for SAF distribution. A key challenge we identified was the economic barrier: while SAF offers major environmental benefits by significantly lowering lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions, it remains substantially more expensive than traditional jet fuel. Therefore, its success relies on collaboration among a wide range of stakeholders: airlines, policymakers, fuel producers, and transportation companies – who must all commit to investing in, scaling, and financially supporting the emerging SAF market. The technology alone is not enough and widespread adoption demands strong human coordination and buy-in.
In my STS research project, I analyzed the USS Vincennes incident through the framework of Actor-Network Theory (ANT), focusing on the balance between human and technological trust. The Vincennes' Aegis Combat System accurately identified an aircraft as civilian, but human operators misinterpreted the system’s information, leading to the tragic downing of Iran Air Flight 655. My argument emphasized that technological systems must be designed to communicate clearly with their human operators, and that successful operation depends on neither over-trusting nor under-trusting the technology. Managing the human-technology relationship is critical in high-stakes environments where decisions must be made rapidly and under uncertainty.
Working on both projects simultaneously deepened my understanding of how essential human factors are in technological innovation and operation. In the SAF project, I realized that no matter how technically efficient a supply chain is, success hinges on human adoption and investment. From the Vincennes research, I learned how critical it is for technology to be designed with the limits and tendencies of human interpretation in mind. Moving forward, I will carry this understanding into future technical work, always considering not just whether a system can function optimally, but whether it can work effectively with and for the people who depend on it.
