November 25, 2024
Which police vehicle can go 0-60 in 5.8 seconds? What patrol vehicle can go from 60 mph to zero in 128.16 feet? These are just a couple of the highly technical tests the staff of the Michigan State Police (MSP) Precision Driving Unit (PDU) perform annually in their internationally recognized Police Vehicle Evaluation.
MSP patrol vehicles, affectionately referred to as the “Blue Goose,” have become synonymous with policing in Michigan and are recognized across North America due in part to their blue color and bright red beacon. The Blue Goose, with the iconic “gumball” beacon, is a visual guide for motorists indicating that help is on the way. Before a patrol vehicle becomes a Blue Goose, each vehicle must pass a rigorous testing procedure and purchasing specifications set forth by the PDU.
“The MSP began testing patrol cars in the 1950s,” said Lt. Nick Darlington, PDU Commander. “At that time, quotes were requested from manufacturers and only the vehicle with the lowest quote was tested to see if it met the department’s purchasing requirements. In 1974, the quotes received from manufacturers were only four dollars apart and it was at that point the MSP decided to test all vehicles on the market to see how they performed.”
Since that time, each fall, the MSP vehicle test team puts police model cars, motorcycles, pickup trucks and SUVs from different manufacturers through a variety of road tests to compile comparable data on performance, acceleration, braking and vehicle dynamics. Off-course, these vehicles are analyzed for ergonomics, radio frequency interference, ease of outfit and fuel economy as well. The data the MSP team compiles is then published for use by police fleet managers and purchasing agents nationwide to use when making procurement decisions for their agencies.
The MSP only tests vehicles built for police use by an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), as these vehicles are engineered to repetitively stop in a shorter distance, accelerate faster and handle better than the base platform model. Modifications to engines, cooling systems, transmissions and shifting parameters, brakes, tires, stability control programming and other changes may be included as part of the OEM’s police package.
This September, the PDU conducted their Annual Police Vehicle Evaluation for model year 2025, testing eight SUVs, three pick-up trucks and three motorcycles.
The first portion of the test was conducted at the Chelsea Proving Grounds in Chelsea, Mich. The proving grounds offers the ability to conduct acceleration/top speed and brake testing on their 4.7-mile oval.
Ergonomics evaluations are then conducted on the eight-mile closed loop, where four to six evaluators follow the eight-mile course consisting of a variety of different road terrains that allow them to record the overall comforts of the vehicle, in addition to ease of communications upfit.
Brake testing consists of 10 consecutive 60-0 mph full anti-lock braking system (ABS) stops. The vehicle is then driven around the 4.7-mile oval for a cool down lap and the test is repeated. The overall average of the 20 stops is the deceleration rate and stopping distance recorded for the test.
Acceleration/top speed testing consists of a total of four acceleration runs collecting total times from 0-60 mph, 0-80 mph and 0-100 mph, and finally the total distance to 120 mph.
The final portion of testing was conducted at Grattan Raceway in Belding, Mich. Grattan Raceway is a two-mile road course consisting of 10 turns with numerous elevation changes and a 3,200-foot straightaway. Here is where the dynamic testing occurs that measures the overall handling, capability and durability of each vehicle to ensure the vehicle can withstand the rigors of police use. Dynamics testing consists of four evaluators who drive each vehicle on eight timed laps. Each vehicle must complete the 32 evaluated laps without experiencing any major mechanical failure. The overall average lap time is what is recorded in the final report.
“The vehicles tested this year were largely the same vehicles as the previous year,” explained Lieutenant Darlington. “Most notably from this year continues to be the consistency of the vehicles tested in terms of performance, ranging from large to small SUVs and pickup trucks. The OEMs participating in this year’s test have developed a diverse variety of platforms for fleet managers to choose from that will ensure each agency’s specific needs are met when considering police vehicles for their fleet.”
For more information, including preliminary results from the 2025 Police Vehicle Evaluation, visit our Police Vehicle Test webpage.
