There’s a certain sense of freedom that comes with the purchase of a new vehicle. Regardless of whether it’s for personal or commercial use, a new vehicle seems to tell its owner, “Wherever you want to go, I’ll take you there.”
From flat, smooth highways to steep, rocky mountain roads, automotive engineers know their designs must perform extraordinarily well in the toughest, most hazardous conditions. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards provide the measurement; testing takes place on automotive proving grounds, such as the International Transportation Innovation Center (ITIC) in Greenville, SC.
One of the latest testing features now available at ITIC is a Slope Hill track. Intended to satisfy FMVSS Test Procedure (TP) 135, the track includes both a 150-ft (45 m) hill with a 10% gradient and one with a 20% gradient and a length of 100 ft (30 m). Each hill is surfaced with a 15-ft (4.5 m) concrete lane parallel to a basalt tile low adhesion surface permitting both high adhesion and split mu testing. Placed side-by-side, the slope hills allow engineers to test a multitude of vehicle applications, including but not limited to:
- ABS braking
- Hill starts
- Traction
- Drivetrain power
- Durability
- Driveability
- Clutch abuse
- Hand braking
The hills may be approached from either side, allowing vehicles to pass up and down the grades.
ITIC’s slope hill testing area is just one of a comprehensive range of circuits and facilities that allow customers to carry out a wide range of activities in ITIC’s controlled and secure environment. Other tracks include a 1-mile straightaway, a durability track, a 1000-ft. brake lane, and currently in development is a ~3-mile loop capable of testing at highway speeds.
From passenger to heavy commercial vehicles ITIC stands ready to serve the automotive industry’s testing needs.
Email info@itic-sc.com to contact ITIC for more information.