Ford Motor Company's Mobile Emissions Test Laboratory

This paper describes design features and construction details of Ford Motor Company's recently commissioned Mobile Emissions Test Laboratory (METL). The lab contains all facilities - chassis dynamometer, gas analyzers, test environment, and support services-necessary for the conduct of federal emissions tests anywhere in the country.

The METL is contained within a large semitrailer, compartmented into three sections for instrumentation, vehicle test, and support equipment. The center vehicle test section is expanded on site, providing an enclosed 13 X 30 ft area with built-in chassis dynamometer. A convenient feature is the “drive-through” for test cars. METL can operate at temperatures as low as -10 F and has provided accurate, reliable results on field test programs.