Development of the Calspan/Chrysler Research Safety Vehicle (RSV)

The Research Safety Vehicle (RSV) Program is a four phase effort to develop a lightweight advanced safety vehicle design suitable for family transportation in the 1985 time period. The vehicle design is intended to be compatible with current production techniques, fuel efficient, non polluting, recyclable, and affordable.

During Phase I and Phase II of the program, vehicle specifications were established and design concepts evaluated via computer simulations and full scale testing. The program is currently in the third phase of activity. The vehicle design developed in Phase II is being optimized and ten final vehicles fabricated.