Test track

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A test track is a test site for vehicles, both motor vehicles and rail vehicles , whose routes (roads or rails) are separated from the regular flow of traffic. The vehicles can be tested here realistically or under extreme conditions and loads.

Test track for motor vehicles

Fiat's "in-house" test track (1928)

Test tracks for motor vehicles are drivable courses that serve as training grounds for racing drivers and as a test area for new car and tire models . In contrast to motorsport racetracks homologated by the FIA or the respective national motorsport association , they were and are mostly built and maintained without public funding and are not used to conduct official races. That is why they are usually not equipped with any noteworthy facilities (e.g. grandstands) for spectators.

Vehicle and tire manufacturers need test tracks in order to obtain measurement data for new products and to detect errors. A new car model is tested extensively before it goes on sale. It is also important to test the vehicle under extreme weather conditions; therefore, some test tracks are located in sub-polar or desert regions. Since the 1990s, many test drives have been able to be replaced by computer simulations , but real test track drives cannot be replaced for fine-tuning the handling and practical tests on material fatigue.

There are pure test tracks that are usually operated by car or tire manufacturers. In addition, manufacturers also test on racetracks when no races are being held there. The Nordschleife of the Nürburgring is particularly popular here - also with non-European companies - because a wide range of road conditions that also occur in everyday life can be mapped and tested here. Test tracks are a popular destination for the photo reporters of the automobile press, because there it is possible to photograph new models before their market launch (“ Erlkönige ”).

In France in particular , numerous smaller courses are traditionally in private hands, with no direct connection to the automotive industry. These tracks can usually be rented by individuals, clubs or companies on a daily or half-day basis, although official racing events are often excluded.

Test tracks for trolleybuses

In the north-west of the Czech Republic , the Škoda company maintained its own test line for trolleybuses from 1963 to 2004 . It was 6.1 kilometers long, up to 12% steep and led from the manufacturing plant in Dolní Žďár, a district of Ostrov nad Ohří on the public road to Jáchymov . In the course of 2006 the overhead line was dismantled.

List of test tracks for motor vehicles

Europe

Austria

  • Digitrans Automotive Proving Ground, test track for autonomous driving in St. Valentin, Austria

Belgium

Germany

Military trucks on the Magirus-Deutz test track in Markbronn in 1978
Vehicles on the test track of the VW plant in 1973
Opel test center Dudenhofen

Finland

Great Britain

France

Italy

Spain

Sweden

Other European countries

America

United States

Canada

Other countries in America

Australia

  • Lara / You Yangs Proving Ground, You Yangs , Victoria (near Melbourne), is owned by Ford
  • GM Holden Ltd. Lang Lang Proving Ground, Bass Highway, Lang Lang, Victoria. Belongs to GM .

Asia

Japan

Korea

China

Test tracks for rail vehicles

There are only a few test tracks for rail vehicles. They usually consist of circuits several kilometers in length. See also test track for rail vehicles

Web links

Commons : Test tracks  - collection of images, videos and audio files
Wiktionary: test track  - explanations of meanings, word origins, synonyms, translations

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Ford Lommel Proving Ground website , accessed July 13, 2019.
  2. ↑ The test track - General information - Motorsport - Dr. Ing.hc F. Porsche AG. Retrieved on May 23, 2020 (Swiss Standard German).
  3. ↑ Porsche Experience Center Hockenheimring opened. Retrieved May 16, 2020 .
  4. ^ Automotive Engineering: Griesheim Airfield. Retrieved May 23, 2020 (English).
  5. ↑ Proving Grounds. Retrieved June 7, 2020 .
  6. ↑ Horse Field Test Center. In: Kfz - Testcenter. Retrieved on May 23, 2020 (German).
  7. ↑ TRIWO test center Zweibrücken. In: TRIWO. Retrieved on May 23, 2020 (German).
  8. ↑ Ladoux test tracks on the Michelin website. Retrieved July 23, 2012
  9. ↑ Test Plug in Fontagne on the website of Michelin. Retrieved July 23, 2012
  10. ↑ Test tracks in Almería on the Michelin website. Retrieved July 23, 2012
  11. ↑ Your guide to Applus + IDIADA Headquarters and Main Technical Center . Retrieved December 3, 2017
  12. ^ Volkswagen Group of America Locations . Retrieved January 13, 2018
  13. ↑ Test sticking in Laurens on the Michelin website. Retrieved July 23, 2012