Michigan State Police Test 1989 Patrol Vehicles

• NCJ Number: 113947
• Date Published: 1988
• Length: 4 pages
• Grant Number(s): 85-IJ-CX-K040
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)

Annotation

Eleven 1989 Michigan State Police patrol vehicles were subjected to six major, weighted tests: vehicle dynamics, acceleration, top speed, brake testing, ergonomics and communications, and fuel economy.

Abstract

Overall performance was rated, manufacturers' bid prices were reviewed, and final scores were calculated for each vehicle. Vehicles tested included the 5.7 liter (L), 5 L, and 4.3 L Chevrolet Caprice; the 5.2 L 2- and 4-barrel Dodge Diplomat; the 5.8 and 5 L Ford Crown Victoria; the 5 L automatic and manual transmission Ford Mustang; and the 2- and 4-barrel 5.2 L Plymouth Gran Fury. Materials describe the qualification and test objectives and methodologies for each of the six tests and provide results in tabular form. Supplemental material describes a Law Enforcement Standards Laboratory computer program, 'AutoBid,' designed to help police fleet managers select patrol vehicles best suited to their department's needs. 7 tables.