TRC Inc. Presents at SAE All-Wheel Drive Symposium

The SAE 2011 All-Wheel Drive Symposium was held October 4-6, 2011 in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. This event provided passenger car and light truck designers, engineers, and managers with the opportunity to learn from key automobile industry experts regarding the latest technologies and advances in current and future all-wheel drive systems, and their integration into passenger vehicles, as well as potential design approaches.

Alan Ida, Project Engineer at TRC Inc., gave a presentation during the symposium’s technical sessions titled “FMVSS No. 126 Electronic Stability Control Systems.” The FMVSS No. 126 establishes performance and equipment requirements for ESC systems installed in motor vehicles. It applies to passenger cars, multipurpose vehicles (MPV’s), trucks, and buses with a GVWR of 4,536 kg (10,000 lbs.) or less.

If you are interested in learning more about FMVSS 126 testing, please feel free to contact Alan Ida at idaa@trcpg.com or 937-666-2011 extension 339.

Directions in Engine-Efficiency & Emissions Research (DEER) Conference

Transportation Research Center Inc. attended the 17th Directions in Engine-Efficiency and Emissions Research (DEER) Conference from October 3-6, 2011, in Detroit, Michigan. The conference is the Department of Energy's (DOE's) primary mechanism for the public exchange of state-of-the-art advanced combustion engine research and development. 

Transportation Research Center Inc.’s Fiscal Year 2011 Annual Report Released

TRC Inc.’s Fiscal Year 2011 Annual report is now available for download on our website: http://www.trcpg.com/aboutannualreport.asp.  The report highlights three areas: facility and equipment improvements; business area reports for Durability and Dynamics Operations, Laboratory Operations, and Contract Services; and information on community outreach and corporate activities.

Fall 2011 Industry Participation

SAE All-Wheel Drive SymposiumOctober 4-6, 2011
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

17th Directions in Engine-Efficiency and Emissions Research (DEER) ConferenceOctober 3-6, 2011
Detroit, Michigan

Automotive Testing Expo North AmericaOctober 25-27, 2011
Novi, Michigan

SAE Light Duty Diesel Emissions Control SymposiumNovember 2-3, 2011
Ann Arbor, Michigan

55th Annual Stapp Car Crash ConferenceNovember 6-9, 2011
Dearborn, Michigan

*For more information, visit:  http://www.trcpg.com/events.asp.

TRC test driver Dave Dulin talks to The Lima News

TRC test driver Dave Dulin talks to The Lima News about his day-to-day work.  View his entire interview here:  http://www.limaohio.com/articles/driving-69009-drive-customer.html.

Roads Scholars Visit TRC

On August 31, 2011 The Ohio State University’s (OSU) Roads Scholars visited Transportation Research Center (the Center), as part of their annual two-day traveling seminar.  This annual seminar is specially designed for new and newly tenured faculty, new administrators, and student leaders.  It highlights partnerships in Ohio and it opens doors to new and innovative collaborations.

TRC was one of the many Ohio locations that the group visited during the seminar including, the Center of Science and Industry (COSI), The Ohio State University Marion location, Wyandot Solar, overnight stay in Sandusky, Stone Lab on Gibraltar Island, and Columbus State Community College.  During the visit to TRC, the group, which included OSU President E. Gordon Gee, had the opportunity to view a crash test in the Center’s Impact Laboratory.  Also during the visit, students from the OSU Center for Automotive Research (CAR) presented some of their work on the ECOCAR and the Formula SAE vehicle.  The seminar concluded the TRC visit with a lap around the Center’s 7.5-Mile Test Track.

The resurfacing of the Center's Vehicle Dynamics Area has begun.

July 2011 Newsletter now available

July 2011 Newsletter now available: http://www.trcpg.com/admin/ass​ets/july%202011.pdf

Receive our newsletter by signing up on our website: http://www.trcpg.com/contact.a​sp

COSI Comes to TRC

Jason Holmes, Project Engineer at TRC’s Emissions Laboratory, was recently interviewed on film in preparation for the opening of The Innovation Showcase at The Center of Science and Industry Museum (COSI) located in Columbus, Ohio.  The Innovation Showcase is a 1,500 square foot exhibit that will be open from August 2011 through December 2012, presenting information about energy. A section of The Innovation Showcase focuses on careers in the energy field. COSI wants viewers to realize that the need for innovation in this sector of our economy creates the opportunity for many types of jobs and careers.  The target audience is students in middle school and high school.  It is COSI’s hope to get students interested in this field by showcasing a variety of education levels that represent varying interests.

A film crew arrived at TRC’s Emissions laboratory on March 22, 2011 to film the interview. Jason Holmes spoke on camera about his role and responsibilities and how it relates to energy. He provided details about his educational background and offered advice to those interested in exploring similar career fields. Be sure to check out The Innovation Showcase starting in August at COSI (www.cosi.org).

If you would like to learn more about our emissions lab go to:  http://www.trcpg.com/servicesemissions.asp

PACE™ Awards 2011

TRC Inc. staff attended the 17th Annual Automotive News PACE™ (Premier Automotive Suppliers’ Contributions to Excellence) Awards on April 11, 2011 during the SAE International Exposition in Detroit, Michigan. TRC Inc. is a proud sponsor of the PACE ™ Awards, which honors automotive suppliers who have embraced innovation or adapted and reinvented themselves to meet the demands of the original equipment manufacturers. This prestigious award sets the standard for excellence and is recognized around the world.

TRC Inc. staff members who attended the ceremony are pictured above from left to right: John Phillips, Vice President, Durability and Dynamics Operations; Jeffrey Sprague, Vice President, Contract Services and Marketing; Milt Dunlop, Senior Vice President, Operations; and Kelli Simon, Manager, Customer Development. 

2011 SAE World Congress

The SAE World Congress 2011 took place on April 12-14, 2011, in Detroit, Michigan. This year's theme was "Charging Forward Together," which highlights the importance of continuing the evolution of automotive propulsion technology and energy efficiency-as well as representing the continued recovery and progress in our industry. The host company for the event was General Motors and the Tier One Strategic Partner was LG Chem.

Once again, TRC Inc. staff attended the show with a 10 x 20 foot exhibit. The staff is pictured from left to right: Milt Dunlop, Robin Tominello, Kelli Simon, Jeffrey Sprague, and Sam Wagoner.

Seatbelt & Car Seat Safety

Transportation Research Center Inc.'s (TRC Inc.) Community Relations Committee , as well as the Vince and Larry crash dummies, joined Southeastern Elementary School's annual health fair on March 25, 2011 in an effort to promote seatbelt and booster seat safety. The first grade students had the opportunity to meet Vince and Larry and take a class picture with them. They also met a real crash dummy that was representative of their size and age. Other activities included a short story, a question-and-answer session, and a chance for each student to sit in a booster seat and learn the proper mechanics of the booster seat and seatbelt.

TRC Inc. discussed the Ohio car seat safety laws, which require children between the ages of four and 15 to be properly restrained by either a child seat, booster seat, or safety seat any time they are being transported by a motor vehicle. For more information about the Ohio car seat safety laws visit: http://wwww.dmv.org/oh-ohio/safety-laws.php.

Along with TRC Inc.'s Community Relations Committee involvement in the health fair, several other businesses and volunteers joined in the activities. The students had the chance to jazzercise, tumble, learn about fire safety, learn about self-defense, and much more. Students from the Bellefontaine High School volunteered to dress up in the Vince and Larry costumes for the health fair as well.

For more information about TRC Inc.'s involvement in community relations activities visit our website at: http://www.trcpg.com/aboutcommrelations.asp.

SAE World Congress 2011

TRC Inc. will be attending the SAE 2011 World Congress, which will be held from April 12-14 at the Cobo Center in Detroit, Michigan. The event will include professional development seminars, technical sessions, innovation forums, booth exhibitions, and much more. Visit our booth during the show (booth number 501).

2011 PACE Awards

TRC Inc. will be attending the 2011 Automotive News PACE Awards, which will be held during the SAE World Congress, with a special ceremony on April 11. This prestigious award sets the standard for innovation and excellence and is recognized globally. The 2011 event will be sponsored by TRC Inc., Automotive News, Ernst & Young, and Original Equipment Suppliers Association.

February Newsletter Available

TRC Inc.'s February Tracks Newsletter is available online at:
http://www.trcpg.com/newsletter_archive.asp

TRC Inc. attended the SAE 2011 Government & Industry Meeting from January 26-28 in Washington, DC. The meeting was held in conjunction with the Washington Auto Show, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.

TRC Inc.'s Roger Schroer Featured at NAIAS

TRC Inc.’s Roger Schroer was featured at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), 2011 for his land speed world record while driving The Ohio State University’s (OSU) Buckeye Bullet 2.5. The OSU student team’s Buckeye Bullet now holds three world records including:

• American Electric record set in 2004, in the Buckeye Bullet 1, at 315 MPH;

• FIA International Record set in 2009, in the Buckeye Bullet 2, at 302 MPH;

• FIA International record set in 2010, in the Buckeye Bullet 2.5, at 307 MPH.

The new target in the next generation Bullet, which will be the Buckeye Bullet 3, is 400 MPH, utilizing multiple motors with a target output of 2500 to 3000 HP, and including dual transmissions and four-wheel drive.