FOR RELEASE: 2007-06-01
Safety and Qualifying Events
The Challenge X competition emphasizes the demonstration of safety and readiness prior to any of the vehicles competing in dynamic driving events. In order for these student vehicles to achieve the lofty goals of fuel economy, emissions and functional utility, significant modifications are required. Student vehicles are evaluated twice during the competition year; the first evaluation is two months before competition and the final is the first two days of the June event. A two hundred and fifty point check list is used to evaluate the changes made to the vehicles in the areas of mechanical, electrical and vehicle structure. Furthermore teams thoroughly document their high voltage electrical systems, fuel systems and safe operation of their vehicle.
After receiving a passing grade on the June competition inspection, teams are now ready to begin the dynamic vehicle qualifying events. These events are designed to evaluate and ensure that these vehicles are ready and safe to drive on the road surfaces at GM’s Milford Proving Ground. First teams must pass a brake test event, to ensure the vehicle can come to a stop, and then undergo a series of driving maneuvers that tests the vehicles ability to avoid obstacles.
The converted student vehicles must maintain or exceed the braking performance of the conventional vehicle. The first test to receive a passing grade, the team’s vehicles must stop in a prescribed distance while traveling at 35 mph. This maneuver requires the driver to completely depress and hold the brake pedal stopping the vehicle as quickly as possible. The next brake test evaluates the vehicle’s ability to brake while turning and maintain control of the vehicle. Finally, an aggressive (but not a panic) stop from 70 mph is performed to round out the snapshot of braking capabilities of the vehicles.
Next a dynamic safety evaluation of the vehicle is performed that targets the directional control of the vehicle. The first tests evaluate low speed, lock-to-lock steering capabilities of the vehicles. This tests the full range of motion of the steering system making sure that no modifications have adversely affected the steering performance. Next vehicles undergo a lane change maneuver designed to evaluate the vehicles ability to quickly move out of the way of a road obstacle. Finally the vehicles are evaluated for straight line tracking and “on-center” steering performance. Straight line tracking ensures the vehicle doesn’t wander while driving straight down the road. On center performance determines if small inputs made to the steering wheel doesn’t cause large changes in vehicle direction.
After passing all the dynamic tests, vehicles are now ready to compete in the remaining dynamic competition events.