Environmental Evaluation and Research Facility
The Environmental Evaluation and Research Facility (EERF) is a testing facility that is part of the Environmental Testing Facilities Division at the Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI). The EERF is home to one of the largest environmental test chambers in the country, as well as numerous other testing related capabilities. The climate controlled chamber is equipped to challenge materials and systems under real world conditions and to enhance understanding of energy storage and translation under a wide range of conditions. Within the chamber, a heavy-duty dynamometer and electric power handling equipment enable automotive and electrical power research CTRC offers facilities to support the education and training of graduate and undergraduate students, technicians, maintenance personnel, operators and first responders and address diverse real-world topics in transportation security, energy resilience, component deterioration and disposal, traffic safety, information security, emergency management, sustainable generation and transient energy storage.
The environmental chamber at the EERF is one of the largest drive in chambers in the U.S. The dimensions of the chamber (75′ long x 23′ wide) allow for any vehicle that can travel on the road to fit inside. The chamber controls include temperature, humidity, wind, and solar loading. Environmental factors, such as rain and snow, can also be added. The chamber specifications are:
- Temperature Range:
-40°F to +185°F (-40°C to +85°C) - Relative humidity:
70%+ at 104°F (40°C) - Solar Loading
Up to 25 kW
A new heavy-duty chassis dynamometer is currently being installed in the environmental chamber at the EERF. Once complete the dyno will allow for testing of vehicles, up to a class 8 tractor trailer, inside the environmentally controlled test facility. More information will be added as the installation is complete.
Est Completion Date: August 2024
The research team at the CTRC has years of experience with emissions and fuel economy testing of vehicles and vehicle components. Emissions testing is conducted using a set of portable emissions measurement systems (PEMS), which allow for both in-use and laboratory (dyno) testing of conventional powered vehicles. The instruments can measure both particulate matter (PM) and gaseous emissions.
The team is also experienced conducting SAE J1321 Fuel Economy Tests. These tests can be used to get EPA Smartway approval for aerodynamic and other fuel savings devices.
CTRC team members have vast experiences with the implementation, maintenance, and analysis of data from air quality monitors. The monitors can be deployed in the field for both short and long-duration projects, and can provide real-time of the air quality where they are installed.
