Ford has revealed how it is working hard to develop solutions to the pothole-ridden roads which are the scourge of Britain’s motorists.
With the RAC attending over 25,000 pothole-related breakdowns in the UK last year, up by almost a quarter compared to the previous year, the manufacturer has created a 1.2-mile test track to replicate the bone-jarring conditions. This, it is hoped, will help engineers develop more robust chassis systems and new innovations to combat the problem of poor road surfaces which the European Commission claims is responsibility for at least a third of all road accidents. Constructed at Ford’s test facility in Belgium, the track simulates over 100 hazards which the company’s engineers have replicated after inspecting road conditions around the globe.
Ford engineers use the track to punishingly test vehicles at speeds of up to 50mph, using sensors akin to those used by seismologists studying earthquakes to record the loads and strain inflicted upon the suspension. This has help for in their latest technology – Continuous Control Damping with Pothole Mitigation technology. This senses when a wheel has entered a pothole and adjusts the suspension according, reducing the risk of damage. Meanwhile Ford’s Tyre Pressure Monitoring System alerts drivers to punctures, and Electronic Stability Control can help drivers maintain control of their vehicle when avoiding obstacles.
“From a rutted traffic junction in China to a bumpy German side-street, this road is a rogues’ gallery of the most bruising surfaces that our customers might encounter,” said Eric-Jan Scharlee, durability technical specialist, at Ford’s Lommel Proving Ground. “By incorporating these real-world hazards into our test facilities we can develop vehicles equipped to deal with these challenging conditions.”
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