GM Powertrain conducted a large measurement campaign in 2006/2007 to obtain data for specifying gear design targets and refining their existing test programs. For this purpose, 16 vehicles were equipped with recorders for data like speed, engine revolutions, etc. These cars were driven under everyday operating conditions by different drivers in Germany and Sweden. For reference, the continuous operation tests currently used by GM were also recorded.

The test program was planned in cooperation with ITWM, and the postprocessing analysis (involving about 300.000 km total driven distance) was handled exclusively by ITWM. Among other things, this involved methods for gear recognition and specialized damage classification (rainflow counting for rotating components).

The statistical evaluation of derivative quantities like the pseudo-damage numbers for pitting and bending gave a more detailed description of customer behavior and typical loads than was previously available.