The formula you provided relates the speed (s) in miles per hour to the minimum stopping distance (d) in feet. The formula is given as:
d = 0.05s^2 + 1.1s
In this formula, the minimum stopping distance (d) is calculated based on the square of the speed (s) multiplied by 0.05, and the speed itself (s) multiplied by 1.1.
As a highway safety engineer, Chelsea can use this formula to estimate the minimum stopping distance required for vehicles traveling at different speeds. By plugging in the value of the speed into the formula, she can calculate the corresponding minimum stopping distance.
For example, if the speed (s) is 60 miles per hour, we can calculate the minimum stopping distance (d) using the formula:
d = 0.05 * (60)^2 + 1.1 * 60
Simplifying the equation:
d = 0.05 * 3600 + 66
d = 180 + 66
d = 246 feet
Therefore, if the speed is 60 miles per hour, the minimum stopping distance required is 246 feet.