Impact Test Facility
TRL's safety research is underpinned by accurate, reliable and repeatable impact testing on every scale, from individual components to high-speed commercial vehicle impacts. The Impact Test Facility provides a private, secure testing environment which repeatedly delivers reliable and accurate tests. It's complemented by quality photographic and scientific capabilities which enable customers to obtain excellent value for money from each test.
The facility consists of two main testing areas: the main Impact Test Facility building and the exterior section of the test track (the L area).
Impact Test Facility Building
This is a 900m2 building providing a secure, well-lit, all-weather impact testing area.
A smooth, flat 325m approach track allows slow acceleration of vehicles without pre-firing safety devices such as seat-belt tensioners and airbags.
Vehicles up to 2 tonnes can be impacted at 130 km/h, although heavier vehicles can also be impacted but at lower speed. Please contact us to discuss your specific requirements.
A computer-controlled winch can provide an impact speed accuracy to within 1% of target value.
A movable 100 tonne impact block is also available for head-on or offset impact tests.
A large pavement area allows offset and angled impacts into other vehicles, barriers or other structures, which can be moving or stationary.
The internal lighting system is suitable for research-quality photography.
These facilities are available to public and private sector clients from the UK and overseas, supplemented with the internationally renowned analytical and interpretative skills of TRL's experienced scientific staff.
The facility is staffed by a dedicated team of impact test engineers and is remotely sited on TRL's test track with 24-hour security. TRL offers a totally confidential, comprehensive and impartial service to all its customers. In the impact testing field these include consumer groups, vehicle and component manufacturers and government departments.
L Area
This is a flat, smooth area which varies in width between 30m and 55m with a maximum straight length of 500m. It lies to the south of the Large Loop on TRL's test track and is largely used for the testing of the following products:
- vehicle restraint systems such as safety barriers, parapets, terminals and transitions to hEN1317 and NCHRP350
- lamp posts, lighting columns, poles and gantries etc. (passive safety testing) to EN12767
- lorry-mounted crash cushions (LMCCs)/traffic-mounted attenuators (TMAs) to TD49/07 and NCHRP350
- vehicle security barriers such as bollards and blockers to PAS 68.
Vehicles up to 2 tonnes can be impacted at 130 km/h, although heavier vehicles can also be impacted but at lower speed. Please contact us to discuss your specific requirements.
A computer-controlled winch can provide an impact speed accuracy to within 1% of target value.
A large pavement area allows offset and angled impacts into other vehicles, barriers or other structures, which can be moving or stationary.
These facilities are available to public and private sector clients from the UK and overseas, supplemented with the internationally renowned analytical and interpretative skills of TRL's experienced scientific staff.
The facility is staffed by a dedicated team of impact test engineers and is remotely sited on TRL's test track with 24-hour security. TRL offers a totally confidential, comprehensive and impartial service to all its customers. In the impact testing field these include consumer groups, vehicle and component manufacturers and government departments.
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