Police Vehicle Evaluation Model Year 2017

• NCJ Number: 250527
• Date Published: December 2016
• Length: 116 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2014-IJ-CX-K404
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Test/Measurement; Technical Assistance; Report (Technical); Report (Technical Assistance); Program/Project Description
• Award: A proposal to operate the National Criminal Justice Technology Resource Center.

Annotation

This report by the Michigan State Police Vehicle Test Team presents the results and methods of its evaluation of the 2017 model year police vehicles (13 patrol vehicles and 6 police motorcycles).

Abstract

The following patrol vehicles were tested: 1) Chevrolet Caprice 3.6L RWD; 2) Chevrolet Caprice 6.0L RWD; 3) Chevrolet Tahoe 5.3L RWD; 4) Chevrolet Tahoe 5.3L 4WD; 5) Dodge Charger .6L 2.62 RWD; 6) Dodge Charger 5.7L RWD; 7) Dodge Charger 5.7L 3.08 AWD; 8) Ford SSP Sedan 2.0L Ecoboost FWD; 9) Ford Pl Sedan 3.5L FWD; 10) Ford Pl Sedan 3.7L AWD; 11) Ford Pl Sedan 3.5L Ecoboost AWD; 12) Ford Pl Utility 3.7L AWD; and 13) Ford Pl Utility 3.5L Ecoboost AWD. The following police motorcycles were tested: 1) BMW R 1200 RT-P; 2) Can-AM Spyder F3P; 3) Harley-Davidson FLHTP (Electra Glide); 4) Harley-Davidson FLHP (Road King); 5) Harley-Davidson FLHTP (Electra Glide) Stage 3; and 6) Zero DSRP. Police package vehicle descriptions are provided. Vehicle dynamics testing determined each vehicle's high-speed pursuit or emergency response handling characteristics and performance compared to the other vehicles in the test group. Acceleration and top speed testing determined each vehicle's ability to accelerate from a standing start to 60 mph, 80 mph, and 100 mph, as well as the distance to reach 100 mph and 120 mph. Brake testing determined the deceleration rate attained by each test vehicle on twenty 60-0 mph full ABS stops. Vehicle ergonomics and communications testing rated each vehicle's ability to provide a suitable environment for the driver in the performance of assigned tasks, as well as each vehicle's ability to accommodate the required communications and emergency warning equipment and assess the relative difficulty of such installation. Fuel economy was also tested for each vehicle. Motorcycles were subjected to dynamics testing, acceleration and top speed testing, and brake testing.