OxTS and Thatcham try FMVSS126
OxTS and Thatcham have been working together to accurately reproduce the NHTSA FMVSS126 Electronic Stability Control (ESC) test. Thatcham recently purchased an OxTS RT3002 Inertial and GPS Navigation system together with an ABD in-vehicle robot. The systems will be used to verify European vehicles against the FMVSS126 standard and to research other testing methods.
The first tests have been carried out using the new BMW 123d coupe and the new Ford Focus ECOnetic (with slimmer tyres). Tests have been performed at a remote test track close to the OxTS offices in Upper Heyford.
The first thing that is striking is how much attention to detail is required. It is easy to not record the 1.25 seconds before the beginning of the test, required for the auto-zero functions; you have to make sure you perform just the right number of tests (and there is some uncertainty here in the documentation); you have to make sure you capture enough data at the end to ensure stability has been achieved. There are lots of little points that need to be checked if you want to follow the standard exactly.
The RT3002 and the ABD robot make an excellent combination for this test. Both systems can be installed quickly in a vehicle and it is possible to test a vehicle in less than one day.
OxTS will be using the data from the Thatcham tests to perform some error analysis of the FMVSS126 methodology. By this we mean that we will deliberately impose some errors on the data to see what effect it has on the results. This should be published later this year.
