codygo wrote:
Jim@EROsports wrote:
Okay everyone (okay, especially the aero nerds), this is your chance to, perhaps, shape the industry a bit. If you had your way, how would you like to see aero tests conducted and reported? - What protocols would you like to see?
- In what format would you like the results reported?
- Whether you're a consumer, or represent a manufacturer, what would level the playing field so everyone is playing by the same rules?
Here's the deal...we have an idea. ERO is uniquely positioned to access both velodrome testing (probably didn't need to be said), and the San Diego Wind Tunnel regularly, and offer manufacturers of all sizes the chance to test at substantially lowered costs. The testing will be completely independent (you might say, oh I don't know, "ERO Neutral" ;-) ). The results will belong to the manufacturers to do with what they want, but when they are made public, you'll be sure they're accurate and trustworthy.
What would you like to see? There are a lot of concerns to address, which some have already posted (i.e. regarding weightings and reported units etc.) but if I were tasked with drafting a proper standard, I'd do my best to understand:
- How companies/people "game" current tests (see SAE bHp, EPA mileage, etc., Emissions testing *cough* VW),
- That regulations can influence development in unintended ways,
- Language must be strict, clear, and unambiguous (shall, must, will...),
- "Stakeholders" must find it attractive, or the standard will not be adopted.
There would have to be a cost for a certification of compliance, and records kept such that an interested party could challenge the results and even issue fiscal penalties along with retractions for faulty testing or falsification of results. Otherwise we're playing house here. The end users (consumers and companies alike) would have to trust that the standard is meaningful else it's like a degree from a for-profit school nobody respects.
I think my vision is a little less formal. We will have set protocols for testing and reporting, will certify our own independent results, and will expect the publication of those results to me made in a specific manner. What I believe will happen is consumers will be more trusting of such testing and demand it from the manufacturers. Should an industry-wide set of agreed upon protocols for testing and reporting come out of that, so be it. We will not stray from our goal of completely independent testing. In fact, one of our rules will be not allowing manufacturers to be present during testing. In fact, that's one of the ways they'll save the most money; no travel expenses.
Jim Manton /
ERO Sports