POLICE AND EMERGENCY TESTING


Centric Parts is the industry leader in brake component development and testing. As the only aftermarket brake company with three in-house dynamometers and an array of on-car data acquisition technology, Centric engineers have the ability to collect and interpret a variety of brake performance parameters for further testing and product development. Recently Centric Parts sent a team of engineers to the Police Pursuit Training Center in Modesto, CA to examine Centric Fleet Performance brake components under the stresses of real world pursuit driving. Training vehicles were fitted with different brake pad and rotor combinations then sent out to be abused by the pursuit training personnel, all vehicle data from these test runs was recorded for further assessment.
The Modesto training center is located on a former airstrip and is utilized by various municipalities and law enforcement organizations to instruct and test patrol officers in pursuit driving situations. This highly adaptable facility allows students to safely hone their driving skills in a variety of situations in a controlled environment.
Designed to mimic chase scenarios faced by patrol officers in the field; the autocross style track allows the lead vehicle to take random routes in an attempt to evade their pursuer. This Hare and Hound style training teaches chase drivers to react to random course changes in pursuit of the lead vehicle.
Officers are instructed to maintain a certain distance from the lead vehicle while the lead driver tries to evade his pursuer. Each chase sequence lasts 3-5 minutes which is the average time of most actual street pursuits. An average of 32 brake applications and high negative G-loads were recorded during these test sessions.
Because the pursuit training routes are random a true cross section of braking performance was recorded including low and high speed stops, repeat stop situations and prolonged braking applications. Brake systems are required to handle extreme temperatures while maintaining stopping power and driver confidence.
Centric engineers utilize on-board data acquisition systems to record each test session. This Racelogic VBOX collects vehicle speed and deceleration rates, G-load, slip, pitch, and roll angle information for later analysis and dynomometer programming.
Sensors attached to each test vehicle use GPS technology to record vehicle information. In addition to these satellite sensors a brake pedal trigger is installed to instantly alert the acquisition hardware to each braking event.
After each test run, brake temperature readings were taken and recorded for analysis. Typical infrared type temperature guns are unable to deal with infrared radiation (IR) given off by the brake rotor and can be inaccurate. Centric engineers use an OMEGA High Temperature Thermocouple which provides instant, accurate readings up to 1400⁰F. without IR interference.
The vehicle data collected in the field provides Centric engineers performance parameters used to create dynamometer programs for further testing and development. These programs can recreate test track layouts allowing Centric engineers to evaluate brake systems under actual driving conditions in a closed environment. This ability to collect data allows Centric engineers to fine tune each component for maximum performance and service life.

On car video illustrates the police training exercises first hand. These test runs include high speed braking as well as repeated braking applications in a short amount of time. These test runs push the braking systems to the limit and reach temperatures in excess of 1,000⁰F. Each pad and rotor combination was tested by multiple officers and passed the demanding pursuit driving tests.

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