TTC At A Glance

  • Full-Scale Testing:  The TTC offers the unique ability to conduct full-scale transportation testing, which is challenging to perform anywhere else in the world.  This includes full-scale dynamic studies or major subset testing.  Examples include locomotive, passenger railcar, and freight railcar testing on the 50+ miles (80+ km) of test tracks or with static and dynamic test fixtures accompanying world-class data acquisition instrumentation designed to assess full-size vehicles.  Additionally, the TTC is able to test infrastructure components. With over 52 square miles (135 sq km) of land dedicated to surface transportation testing, the TTC can fulfill any industry’s full-scale testing needs. 

    Crash, Blast, & Fire Testing:  The TTC is the premier location for performing large scale crashworthiness testing, blast testing, and fire testing critical to all types of surface transportation modes.  Examples include use of the TTC’s 3-million pound rated concrete impact wall for full-scale vehicle and component testing such as passenger car, tank car or fuel tank impact testing with high-speed data acquisition and video capturing. The TTC has designated blast test zones for use of up to 500 TNT equivalent.  Additionally, the TTC is well suited for fire testing with a dedicated onsite fire department, fire test pools, and an underground tunnel used for fire and smoke testing.

    Digital Twin Simulation:  Often simulation is performed in coordination with full-scale testing conducted at the TTC. This enables the combination of physical testing and simulation to achieve the best test results. Examples include VAMPIRE, which is used for rail vehicle dynamics modeling, Train Energy and Dynamics Simulator (TEDS) used for track/train dynamics simulations, and Finite Element Analysis (FEA) using multiple packages including ANSYS and LS-DYNA.

    Hands-On Training:  The TTC offers the unique ability to provide hands-on training.  Classes spend time at the site working with actual vehicles, infrastructure, and real-life simulating conditions.  Examples include HAZMAT and Emergency Response training, derailment investigation training, and cybersecurity training.

    Cybersecurity & Communication: A strength of the TTC modernization is the inclusion of cybersecurity capabilities to support surface transportation cyber testing and training. Examples include train control system cyber testing using the TTC radio communications network and Positive Train Control (PTC) Test Bed, which can be used to evaluate a range of aspects of modern railroad communications.  Additionally, the TTC is expanding wireless communication infrastructure including Wi-Fi and 5G, which is often needed for vehicle networking such as with autonomous vehicles interacting with other surface transportation vehicles (e.g., trains at road crossings).

The TTC will continue to be the cornerstone to railway research, testing, and training for the railway industry.

Railway Services:

  • On-track testing for locomotive, passenger car, and freight car prototype testing, type testing, & homologation including AAR Chapter XI, AAR M-976, & AAR M-921A
  • On-track testing for vehicle and track research
  • Full-scale vehicle lab rig testing for shock and vibration as well as component and structural testing
  • Track infrastructure accelerated performance testing
  • Collision impact testing of full-size rail vehicles including locomotives, passenger cars, tank cars, and fuel tanks
  • Tank car and tunnel fire testing
  • Hydrogen, fuel cell and battery powered rail vehicle testing
  • Digital Twin Computer Simulation of Testing including vehicle dynamics (VAMPIRE), track/train dynamics (TEDS), and Finite Element Analysis (FEA) for structure and impact modeling
  • Emergency, HAZMAT, and Derailment response training
  • Hands-on training for railway operations, rolling stock, and infrastructure

ENSCO is currently working with customers and partners on expanding the TTC’s testing abilities for the Pipeline industry. The TTC offers the unique ability to conduct full-scale pipeline testing and training at a large facility with a required dedicated onsite fire department. The anticipated services to be provided at the TTC include:

  • Hydrostatic Testing and Pressure Cycling
  • Gas Migration and Leak Detection
  • Pull String Testing
  • Corrosion and Cathodic Protection
  • Damage Prevention Testing
  • Rotary and Fixed-Wing Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) and Drone Inspection Evaluation
  • Testing with Oil, Gas, and Hazardous Liquids
  • HAZMAT and Emergency Response Training

The TTC provides a unique opportunity to expand research & development for the trucking industry, particularly for alternative energy and crashworthiness.

Trucking & Heavy Vehicle Services:

  • Full-scale vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure collision testing
  • Digital twin simulation modeling of full-scale collision testing
  • Hydrogen & Battery Power Pack Full-Scale Impact Testing
  • HAZMAT and Emergency Response Training
  • Safety evaluations of existing roadside features
  • Shock & Vibration laboratory testing
  • Human factors research and testing

The transit bus industry is at the doorstep of going green with alternative energy and the TTC will be used to support its development and deployment.

Bus Services:

  • Rollover Testing
  • Collision Testing
  • Blast & Fire Testing
  • Alternative Fuels Operations Testing including Electric, Battery, & Hydrogen
  • Human factors research and testing

As being a brand-new surface transportation mode, NETT (such as Hyperloop) and the TTC fit together to enable its deployment into operation.

NETT Service:

  • Regulatory and Standards generation support
  • Site for Full-Scale Dynamic Testing
  • Research & Development Site
  • Type Testing / Homologation

The TTC is the only location where multi-mode transportation can be testing with autonomous vehicles.

Autonomous Vehicle and Smart Infrastructure Services:

  • Cybersecurity Evaluation, Testing, & Training
  • 5G Network Communication Testing
  • Multi-mode interaction Testing (i.e. Road Crossings)
  • Vehicle-Infrastructure Communication Testing
  • Intelligent Transportation Systems Testing

The TTC provides numerous support buildings and shops that provide access to a variety of heavy equipment, including cranes, jacks, as well as in-floor pits, machine shops etc.

Additionally, office space, shop space, and tracks are available for long term lease to support onsite testing.  Site leasing is accompanied with ENSCO support staff to perform logistics, rolling stock maintenance, and testing as needed.