Crash Testing

 
 

When you need to perform crash testing, Transportation Research Center Inc. (TRC Inc.) offers you North America's most comprehensive independently-operated facility in a controlled , safe and secure environment. TRC Inc. offers well-planned, organized, cost-effective, and timely services where accuracy, security and repeatability are a primary concern.

A full range of crash capabilities includes:
  • Vehicle-to-Vehicle
  • Vehicle-into Barrier Wall
  • Moving Barrier-into-Vehicle
  • Rollover Testing
  • Vehicle-into-Safety & Security Perimeter Barriers MASH-AASHTO (Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware, American Association of State perimeter security barrier)
  • ASTM F2656 Test Method for Vehicle Crash Testing of Perimeter Barriers

Facility Overview
Transportation Research Center's (the Center) Crash Test Facility includes the fixed barrier, vehicle-to-vehicle impact, and safety and security perimeter barrier test areas.  Three separate towing tracks (barrier, remote, and movable), with independent 1,000 horsepower electric motors guide and propel the test vehicles.   Each track may be operated independently or simultaneously with software designed to control the velocity of the vehicle to within +  0.5 mph.

The barrier crash area includes the barrier building and a 564-foot enclosed asphalt roadway leading into the building.  The area is designed for year-round operation and lighted for around-the-clock operation.  It provides for impact testing of vehicles weighing 10,000 pounds at velocities of up to 67 mph into a fixed barrier.  Heavier vehicles may be tested at lower impact velocities. 

The vehicle-to-vehicle impact area includes three tracks (barrier, remote, and moveable), which intersect over a photographic room that is part of an underground building.  Crash tests can be performed with two vehicles weighing 5,000 pounds each, at closing velocities of up to 127 mph.  Adjacent to the impact area is a 100-foot by 125-foot concrete pad used for the vehicle roll-out area. 

By utilizing the proper tracks, it is possible to perform an eight-degree to 172-degree side impact on either side of a vehicle with both vehicles moving.  Using the barrier and remote tracks, head-on and offset head-on impacts can be performed.  The unique feature of the system is the ability to have both vehicles traveling at different velocities.  This, combined with the side impact capabilities, make it feasible to simulate a variety of test conditions not previously possible.

Our professional staff is dedicated to providing you with accurate, timely, and well-planned and organized services.

Certifications
Japanese National Traffic Safety and Environment Laboratory
TRC Inc. has the Japanese National Traffic Safety and Environment Laboratory (JNTSEL) certification to conduct testing for passenger car brakes (JNTSEL TRIAS 11-2-1994) frontal crashes, and side impact crash tests (JNTSEL TRIAS-47-1-1996). Manufacturers can contract to have TRC Inc. conduct their testing or contract with TRC Inc. to act on behalf of an official Japanese government witness for their in-house testing.