Road Test Aerodynamic Instrumentation

Two methods for obtaining aerodynamic pitching moment and lift information have been developed using road tests of drivable vehicles. First, improvements in the dynamics of manometer tubes make onboard measurement of pressure distributions feasible. Second, a method for determining pressure distributions on a vehicle's underside from the road is valuable in verifying the accuracy of wind tunnel tests; no vehicle modifications are required. Both methods should improve the state-of-the-art in automobile aerodynamic instrumentation and testing.