TRC Inc. Featured in Car and Driver Magazine

 

Transportation Research Center Inc. was featured in the February 2015 edition of Car and Driver magazine in an article titled, “Proving 200.”  The article refers to Erich Heuschele, the SRT vehicle dynamics engineering manager who brought a Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat to Transportation Research Center (the Center) and reached speeds of 204 mph in a two-way average on the Center’s 7.5-Mile Test Track.

The reason Heuschele, who is a champion amateur road racer, visited the Center was the fact that he did not want to rely on modern computer design tools to predict the vehicle’s top speed – he wanted to conduct the testing himself. With a bolt-in roll bar, a racing harness, and a fire extinguisher, Heuschele drove on the Center’s 7.5-mile banked oval test track for over 10 miles to reach 204 mph.

For more information about the Center’s 7.5-Mile Test Track visit our website at:  http://www.trcpg.com/facility-tour/75-mile-test-track.aspx or if you would like to check out the article in Car and Driver magazine, visit their website at:  http://www.caranddriver.com/.

January 2015 Tracks Newsletter

The January 2015 Tracks Newsletter is now available for download at: http://www.trcpg.com/other-pages/newsletter-archives.aspx.

To sign up for our newsletter visit: http://www.trcpg.com/contact-us.aspx.

Sprague Announced as Interim President

On June 27, 2014, Transportation Research Center Inc. announced the appointment of Jeffrey A. Sprague as Interim President.  Sprague will succeed Rick D. Gildow who, in October 2013, announced his intention to retire on June 30, 2014, after 22 years as President.

 

Sprague stated, “While the presidential search carries on, TRC Inc. will not sit at a standstill. Our responsibility and vision is to be the global leader in mobility development, research, and testing solutions. There is a need to review, improve, and expand our service offerings and to strengthen our relationships with our customers and The Ohio State University. We will accomplish this through an examination of our operations and our customer needs while continuing to provide high-quality, error-free technical services, in a timely fashion.”

 

His previous role was Vice President of Contract Service, Human Resources, and Marketing.  Sprague has been with TRC Inc. for 19 years in various positions.  He has a bachelor’s degree in Finance and Marketing from Ohio Northern University and an MBA from the University of Dayton.  He has been an active participant in Society for Automotive Engineers as a moderator for sessions and a judge at student competitions, the Automotive News PACE™ Awards, and the U.S. DOE’s EcoCAR competition, among other industry and community groups.

 

Transportation Research Center (the Center) is an independent automotive proving ground located on approximately 4,500 acres of land in East Liberty, Ohio, approximately 40 miles northwest of Columbus. TRC Inc. conducts programs designed to test for safety, energy, fuel economy, emissions, durability, noise, crash, crash simulation and performance. We test trucks, buses, recreational vehicles, motorcycles, electric vehicles, passenger cars and components.

July 2014 Tracks Newsletter

The July 2014 Tracks Newsletter is now available for download at: http://www.trcpg.com/other-pages/newsletter-archives.aspx.

To sign up for our newsletter visit: http://www.trcpg.com/contact-us.aspx.

TRC Inc. Will Sponsor EcoCAR 3

 

Transportation Research Center Inc. (TRC Inc.) is excited to announce that we will be sponsoring the next EcoCAR competition – EcoCAR 3. After sponsoring the EcoCAR 2 competition and hosting a portion of the emissions testing event, TRC Inc. was thrilled to have the opportunity to be involved in EcoCAR again.

EcoCAR 3 is the latest U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Advanced Vehicle Technology Competition (AVTC) series and is North America’s premier collegiate automotive engineering competition. The U.S. DOE and General Motors are challenging 16 North American universities to redesign a Chevrolet Camaro into a hybrid-electric car that will reduce environmental impact, while maintaining the muscle and performance expected from this iconic American car. While the model is the most technologically advanced Camaro in the vehicle’s history, EcoCAR 3 teams will be tasked to incorporate innovative ideas, solve complex engineering challenges, and apply the latest cutting-edge technologies. Teams have four years (2014-2018), to harness those ideas into energy to meet engineering, environmental and economic goals. The Camaro will keep its iconic body design, while student teams develop and implement eco-power and performance under the hood, retain safety and meet high consumer standards. The teams also will focus on developing technology that will lower emissions by incorporating alternative fuels.

The 16 competing universities for this series include:  Arizona State University, California State University – Los Angeles, Colorado State University, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Georgia Institute of Technology, McMaster University, Mississippi State University, Ohio State University, Pennsylvania State University, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, University of Alabama, University of Washington, University of Waterloo, Virginia Tech, Wayne State University, and West Virginia University.

Argonne National Laboratory, a U.S. DOE research and development facility, will retain the management and operational responsibilities of the AVTC series, and the series will be co-headline sponsored by General Motors. Additional sponsors include:  Transportation Research Center Inc., MathWorks, California Environmental Protection Agency Air Resources Board, Freescale, Clean Cities, AVL, Bosch, ETAS, dSPACE, Snap-on, GKN, EnerDel, Proterra, Ricardo, EM Powering, and A123 Systems.

This competition will build upon the 25-year history of the U.S. DOE AVTC series and seeks to develop the next generation of automotive engineers with unparalleled experience designing, promoting, and building leading-edge automotive technologies. TRC Inc. is excited to be part of this prestigious competition and we look forward to working with all of the organizations and universities over the next four years.

For more information about the EcoCAR 3 competition, visit:  http://www.ecocar3.org/.

April 2014 Tracks Newsletter

 

 

The April 2014 Tracks Newsletter is now available for download at: http://www.trcpg.com/other-pages/newsletter-archives.aspx.

To sign up for our newsletter visit: http://www.trcpg.com/contact-us.aspx.

EcoCAR 2 Emissions Testing Event at TRC

 

 

The Emissions Testing Event for 12 EcoCAR 2 teams took place at the Transportation Research Center (TRC) in East Liberty, Ohio. The event offers teams eight hours of emissions and fuel economy testing in a controlled laboratory environment.... The teams will effectively be given a state-of-the art, open test bed to calibrate control strategies and shake down their vehicles before final competition in June.

Acting as a kind of 'treadmill for cars,' a chassis dynamometer offers the ability to virtually drive a vehicle under a multitude of different scenarios or 'drive cycles,' such as urban driving, highway driving and aggressive driving.

 

Department of Energy Grant Opportunity

 

 

Check out the Department of Energy’s Vehicle Technologies Program Wide Funding Opportunity (DE-FOA-0000991) at:  http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=250277. This opportunity contains a total of 14 areas of interest in advanced light-weighting, advanced battery development, power electronics, advanced heating, ventilation, air conditioning systems, and fuels and lubricants. Contact Transportation Research Center Inc. for your test needs and for more information about our facilities and support staff.

The January 2014 Tracks Newsletter is now available for download at: http://www.trcpg.com/other-pages/newsletter-archives.aspx.

To sign up for our newsletter visit: http://www.trcpg.com/contact-us.aspx.

Schroer Receives Royal Award

Roger Schroer, performance driver at Transportation Research Center Inc. (TRC Inc.), recently traveled with The Ohio State University’s (OSU) Buckeye Bullet team to the Bonneville Salt Flats for Speedweek, in hopes to break last year’s electric vehicle speed record.  The Bullet, named BB3, was to be driven by Roger, who is the driver for the Bullet each year.  

The meet was originally scheduled for September 12-18, however, a large storm system flooded the salt flats, leading to eventual postponement of the event. Venturi, the primary sponsor of the Buckeye Bullet, arranged to have the team work out of an airport hanger located in Wendover, Utah.  On the airstrip, the team was also able to conduct some low speed testing on one of their taxiways. Since the BB3 is still being developed, every test run is important, and the team learned a great deal about the car.

Venturi, the sponsor of the Buckeye Bullet, is located in the European country of Monaco.  Thierry Apparu of Venturi is an acquaintance of the royal family in Monaco, leading to a visit by Prince Albert and Princess Charlene on September 18^th.  Roger Schroer presented the Prince with a racing helmet which is a duplicate of the one worn while driving the Buckeye Bullet.  Prince Albert then presented a medal to Roger Schroer, which was the first time a medal had ever been presented outside of the palace.

The team plans to return to Bonneville in 2014 in an effort to raise the electric vehicle record above 400 MPH.  You can learn more about the BB3 at www.buckeyebullet.com/BB3.html.

TRC Inc. Builds New IIHS Crash Test Fixture

TRC Inc.’s Impact Laboratory recently built a crash test fixture used to conduct The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Small Overlap Frontal Crashworthiness Evaluation.  The fabrication of the fixture was completed in August. 

The IIHS is an independent, nonprofit scientific and educational organization dedicated to reducing the losses (deaths, injuries and property damage) from crashes on the nation's roads.  On August 14, 2012, IIHS released the details of this more demanding frontal offset test.  The Small Overlap Frontal Crashworthiness Evaluation, used in addition to the 40% offset test introduced in 1995, subjects only 25% of the front end of the vehicle to a 40 mph impact.   The test is designed to duplicate what happens when the front corner of a car collides with another vehicle or strikes a slim object, such as a utility pole or tree.  

The rating system is similar to the 40% offset, but has some key differences: hip/thigh and lower leg/foot ratings replace individual ratings for each leg and foot, and a full score cannot be attained without deployment of side and side curtain airbags (due to severe side movement often resulting from this test).

Visit our website to learn more about TRC Inc.’s Impact Laboratory and capabilities.

EcoCAR Visits TRC's Emissions Laboratory

EcoCAR visited TRC’s Emissions Laboratory on Friday 10/25 in preparation of the EcoCAR2 Year Three emissions testing event to be held at TRC in March 2014.

October 2013 Tracks Newsletter

The October 2013 Tracks Newsletter is now available for download at: http://www.trcpg.com/other-pages/newsletter-archives.aspx.

To sign up for our newsletter visit: http://www.trcpg.com/contact-us.aspx.

July 2013 Tracks Newsletter

 

The July 2013 Tracks Newsletter is now available for download at: http://www.trcpg.com/other-pages/newsletter-archives.aspx.

To sign up for our newsletter visit: http://www.trcpg.com/contact-us.aspx.

2014 PACE™ Award Application Now Available

 

 

The application for the 20^th annual Automotive News PACE™ Award (Premier Automotive Suppliers’ Contribution to Excellence) is now available online at http://www.paceaward.com. 

This year will be Transportation Research Center Inc.’s (TRC Inc.) 12^th year of sponsoring the Automotive News PACE™.  The PACE™ Awards honors automotive suppliers who have embraced innovation or adapted and reinvented themselves to meet the demands of the OEM customer. This prestigious award sets the standard for ingenuity and excellence and has become a significant industry credential. 

 

Judging will start in Fall 2013 and will continue through January 2014.  Winners will be announced April 7, 2014, during SAE International Congress at a special ceremony to be held at the Max M. Fisher Music Center in Detroit, Michigan. 

The PACE™ Awards are a natural link for TRC Inc. as many of the innovations featured are ultimately validated at our proving ground. This also gives TRC Inc. the opportunity to support our customers and their efforts in the marketplace by acknowledging their hard work.

 

For additional information on the PACE™ Awards visit www.trcpg.com or http://www.paceaward.com.

Governor Kasich Visits TRC

Governor John Kasich visited Transportation Research Center (TRC) on June 13, 2013 to recognize the $16 million, 7.5-Mile Track repaving project. A portion of this paving project was paid for by the State of Ohio in an effort to bring more jobs and more revenue to the state.

After a tour of the aging track in early 2012, Kasich was made aware of the need for resurfacing. Kasich was able to get a sponsored grant from JobsOhio and a capital fund from the Ohio Department of Transportation, and he is pleased with the investment.

"Now, being able to fix it, being able to shine it up and display it around the country is going to mean more jobs, more revenue, more technology, and all good for the state of Ohio," Kasich said. "It is a fantastic investment. It also sends a message. Ohio is happening. We are not a fly-over state anymore. It's a place where you ought to show up. We know what we are doing and if you want to be part of the future, you move to Ohio," Kasich said.

"This facility did what it was designed to do. It attracted jobs to the state of Ohio and continues to offer job growth here in the state of Ohio," Transportation Research Center Inc. (TRC Inc.) President Rick Gildow said.

The 7.5-Mile Test Track has been open for testing for 39 years and has supported a variety of research and test programs. The original track consisted of concrete and asphalt lanes but has been completely resurfaced with asphalt.

For news coverage of Kasich’s visit and for additional photos, visit our Facebook page at:  https://www.facebook.com/?sk=welcome#!/pages/Transportation-Research-Center-Inc/137825479605433.

TRC Inc. Sponsoring the EcoCAR 2 Year Three Emissions Testing Event

The Transportation Research Center Inc. (TRC Inc.) has recently become a competition-level sponsor for the EcoCAR 2 Year Three emissions testing event, where TRC Inc. will be providing the facilities, resources and testing expertise.  EcoCAR 2: Plugging In to the Future is a three-year collegiate engineering competition and the only program of its kind.  The competition’s mission is a vital one: offer an unparalleled hands-on, real-world experience to educate the next generation of automotive engineers.  The competition challenges 15 universities across North America to reduce the environmental impact of a Chevrolet Malibu without compromising performance, safety and consumer acceptability.

 

Two TRC Inc. representatives will travel to San Diego, California in May 2013, joining representatives from government and industry organizations, to judge the Mechanical and Business portions of the EcoCAR 2 Year Two competition finals.  The Mechanical presentations will be focused on the build and initial testing of the EcoCAR vehicle, while the Business presentations will cover the teams’ entire year of business activities and results.

 

The EcoCAR 2 Year Three emissions testing event will take place at TRC in Spring 2014, where all competition vehicles will be allowed several hours of testing time on a 2 or 4-wheel-drive chassis dynamometer with full emissions measurement capability.  This event will ultimately give teams vital testing time in a controlled environment to provide valuable data for vehicle control strategy calibration and improvement as well as for EcoCAR student theses and dissertations.

 

During the three-year program, EcoCAR 2 teams will follow a real-world Vehicle Development Process (VDP) modeled after GM’s VDP.  The VDP serves as a roadmap for the engineering process of designing, building and refining their advanced technology vehicles. Following a VDP will give the teams an opportunity to improve their vehicles efficiency while retaining consumer acceptability, performance and safety.

 

To learn more about the EcoCAR 2 program, visit www.ecocar2.org.

Emissions Laboratory Upgrades

 

 

Transportation Research Center Inc.’s (TRC Inc.) Emissions Laboratory has recently purchased a new AVL Particle Counter, a small engine dynamometer, and has recommissioned its Sealed Housing for Evaporative Determination (SHED) in order to meet changing industry and customer needs.

  

The new AVL Particle Counter 489 measures and analyzes the non-volatile particle number concentrations, or Particulate Number (PN), of engine exhaust gas, in accordance with European standards.

  

TRC Inc. has also added a new 30kW Magtrol 2WB115-V/S001m small engine dynamometer, which has helped bridge the gap in the Emissions Laboratory’s engine emissions testing capabilities.  TRC Inc.’s Emissions Laboratory provides small engine emissions testing for gasoline and diesel, ranging from fractional horsepower up to 320 horsepower. 

 

 In order to improve testing for exhaust gas emissions and hydrocarbon vapors, TRC Inc. has recommissioned its SHED chamber.  The SHED, in which the temperature can be controlled, tests the exhaust gas emitted during the operation of vehicles and the amount of hydrocarbon vapors emitted during the refueling of motor vehicles.  It is capable of completing the standard one-hour heat build and hot soak evaporative emissions tests currently required for motorcycle certification.  TRC Inc. is in the process of certifying variable temperature, on-board refueling vapor recovery (ORVR), and point-source Running Loss evaporative SHEDs for light-duty vehicle certification.

7.5-Mile Test Track Repaving Project

 

Celebrated upon dedication as the world’s largest transportation research center, with over 200 million miles of durability testing and a recorded top speed of 254 mph, this iconic facility recently underwent a complete resurfacing. 

The track officially opened for testing in 1974, and it has never been completely closed for a full resurfacing in its 38 years.  Motorcycles, passenger cars, buses, trucks, and much more have been continually tested on the 7.5-Mile Test Track for a variety of research and test programs.  The track is frequently used for mileage accumulation, long-term durability studies, brake burnishes, fuel economy programs, and much more.

The original track consisted of concrete and asphalt lanes, but is now be completely resurfaced with asphalt.  The rehabilitation process will help prevent reflective cracking and create a smoother surface, allowing for greater utilization of the straightaways and permitting the return of high speeds in the curves.

If you have any questions or concerns, or would like additional information about the resurfacing project, please feel free to contact us at 937-666-2011.

25th Anniversary of TRC Inc.

 

January 25, 2013 marked Transportation Research Center Inc.'s (TRC Inc.) 25^th Anniversary.  TRC Inc. was created by The Ohio State University, who had been managing what was then called Transportation Research Center of Ohio, since 1979.  The creation of TRC Inc. coincided with the sale of the facility by the state and allowed TRC Inc. to continue to operate as a multi-user facility.  A full history and timeline with facility construction can be reviewed on our facebook page. 

In celebration of TRC Inc.’s 25^th Anniversary, our Vision, Mission, and Goals have been revised to more accurately reflect our Global Image and our desire to enhance our capabilities through collaboration and partnerships with academia, industry and government, while satisfying stakeholder expectations.  

Our new vision is “To be the global leader in mobility development, research and testing solutions” and our new mission is “As a global independent provider of development, research and testing, TRC Inc. serves the mobility industry with a world-class facility, high-quality services and innovative solutions through collaboration and partnerships with academia, industry and government, while satisfying stakeholder expectations.” 

To review our quality and environmental statements visit our website.