Each year, the Michigan State Police driving unit evaluates law enforcement vehicles from the new model year. The unit evaluates patrol cars, SUVs and motorcycles using a series of tests that test each vehicle's performance, ergonomics and mechanic-friendly qualities. The results are tallied and included in a report that's used by police fleet managers to aid in the decision to purchase patrol vehicles.
Michigan State Police Vehicle Evaluation
Michigan State Police push new patrol vehicles to their limit in acceleration, top speed and dynamic driving tests. This year, a driver reached 146 mph in a Dodge Charger. The Chevrolet Impala (pictured here) reached 139 mph.
For the 2010 model year, the driving unit tested the Ford CVPI, Chevrolet Impala and Dodge Charger (pictured). The unit also tested the Chevrolet Tahoe SUV and five motorcycles.
Michigan State Police drivers test the patrol cars over two days in September at the Chrysler Proving Grounds in Chelsea and the Grattan Raceway in Grattan. Results are released in October.
Once testing is completed, Michigan State Police vehicle evaluators prepare notes that will eventually be incorporated into the annual report that's available to law enforcement fleet managers.
Test results are recorded with markers on large boards near the raceway. Times are marked from the five laps of four drivers of each vehicle. An overall average is taken from the scores.
An ergonomic evaluation is performed that considers trunk space for an officer's body armor, patrol rifle or other duty gear.
Motorcycles are also evaluated for top speed, acceleration and emergency driving conditions. A vehicle dynamics test simulates pursuit conditions.
As part of the testing, vehicles are evaluated based on how easy or difficult they are to work on. Larger departments use staff mechanics to maintain their fleets and seek to minimize downtime with vehicles that can be quickly cycled back into the field.
Once a year, vehicle training officers from the Michigan State Police take new patrol vehicles out to a raceway and pursuit course to evaluate them on acceleration and top speed, braking, ergonomics, fuel economy and communications.