Performance Track
Gateshead College and One North East announced (March 2011) the creation of a unique new open-access test track facility – the only one of its kind in Europe. On January the 17th 2012 Transport Minister Norman Baker MP officially opened the Zero Carbon Futures Performance Track and Low Emission Vehicle Development Centre in Washington, Tyne & Wear. The Centre is designed to facilitate the development of the transport of the future providing the ideal location for anyone – academics, automotive manufacturers and system developers - to test and trial new transport technologies.
The test track and workshop building at Nissan Sunderland Plant has been signed over to Gateshead College on a 20-year lease allowing these facilities to be hired by companies, academic institutes and researchers.
The Test Track and vehicle development centre are available for hire to any interested bodies, ranging from universities to major OEMs and vehicle systems developers.
Designed specifically for low carbon vehicles, the Performance Track offers a comprehensive range of charging and refuelling systems, including hydrolisers, a photovoltaic canopy, EV charging points (both standard and fast charge) and biofuel tanks.
The 50sq m workshops include five bays available on flexible terms from day hire to a year lease. The infrastructure includes high-speed internet, a fast-charge bay for EVs, three-phase electricity supply, exhaust extraction systems and a range of vehicle lifts.
The 2.8km long Performance Track incorporates the following facilities designed for on and off-road vehicle testing:
- 2x 1km straights suitable for acceleration and lane change testing
- Handling pad with various diameter markings
- Brake test and manoeuvring area
- Test Hill
- Heliport
Road Surfaces:
- Rumble strips
- American Hop Road
- Concrete strip with metal strips
- Cobbled surface
- Road noise surface
- Road road durability
- Gravel road
- Wave road
- Rough splash road
- Pot hole tests
There is also a range of electric vehicle charging technologies including a quick charger, a solar powered charging canopy and a standard charging post – all of which are among the 1,000 charge points being installed across the region.
The centre is on the same site as the Skills Academy for Sustainable Manufacturing and Innovation and will be run by Gateshead College.
Read more about this topic: Gateshead College
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