ARAI's new crash test facility at Chakan, near Pune

Back in 2012, there were talks of a modern crash test facility to be deployed by ARAI. The facility has now been installed and is ready for use. This new crash test facility is located at the Passive Safety Lab at ARAI's Chakan plant, near Pune.

The facility is planned for a full frontal crash test of speeds between 48.3 to 53 km/h, offset frontal crash tests of upto 56 km/h, side impact test and rear impact tests for upto 50 km/h and 35 to 38 km/h respectively. Airbag ECU calibration and structural components (for frontal crash) of a vehicle too will be tested here.

An electric AC drive crash test system has been installed, which has a max payload capacity of 3.5 tons and propelling speed of 80 km/h. Two photo pits measuring 6m x 3m x 3m are present, one of which will capture the frontal / offset frontal crash and the other to capture side impact / rear impact crash. High speed cameras will capture all the action. These are capable of capturing up to 2000 frames per second. The facility also includes lighting systems, capable of providing light intensity of up to 150,000 lux, as well as a static rollover test facility.

Sled testing will also be conducted at this facility. (It replicates an accident / rapid deceleration scenario, without the use of an actual vehicle.) An programmable deceleration sled, with a max trolley pay load of 1,000 kg, max speed of 80 km/h and max deceleration of 60g.

With the soon-to-be implemented stricter rules and minimum safety norms, this crash test facility will be a proving ground for several cars being sold in India, in the near future.