bus driving through orange cones during a lane change test

Safety

Double Lane Change

The objective of this test is to determine handling and stability characteristics of the bus by measuring the forward speed through a double lane change, obstacle avoidance course (read full test procedure).

Brake Performance

The objective of this test is to demonstrate the ability of the parking brake to hold the bus on a 20 percent grade and to measure the stopping distance required when the service brakes are activated at various speeds (read full test procedure).

About

Established in 1989 by the Pennsylvania Transportation Institute with funding provided by the Federal Transit Administration, the Larson Transportation Institute’s Bus Research and Testing Center tests buses for safety, structural integrity, durability, performance, maintainability, noise, emissions, energy economy, and fuel economy. Based primarily in Altoona, Pennsylvania, the Center also has a facility located at the Larson Transportation Institute Test Track in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania.