A vehicle door control system (10, 500) for a vehicle having a vehicle body and a vehicle door, comprising: a pushrod having a first end that is connected to one of the vehicle body and the vehicle door; a locking device at least a portion of which is mounted to the other of the vehicle body and the vehicle door, wherein the locking device includes a locking device traveler that is movable along a locking device traveler guide path, and a locking device brake, wherein the pushrod has a second end that is connected to the locking device traveler, wherein the locking device traveler is movable along the locking device traveler guide path by movement of the pushrod, wherein the locking device brake is positionable in a braking position in which the locking device brake prevents movement of the locking device traveler, and a release position in which the locking device brake permits movement of the locking device traveler; a motor that is operable to move the locking device brake between the braking and release positions; a controller that controls operation of the motor; and a door force sensor; characterized in that the door force sensor includes a first target path, and a second target path, and a first target that is connected to a first portion of the locking device traveler and movable along the first target path and a second target that is connected to a second portion of the locking device traveler and movable along the second target path, wherein the first portion of the locking device traveler is constrained for movement along a traveler path, and the second portion of the locking device traveler is movable relative to the first portion of the locking device traveler and is operatively connected to the first portion of the locking device traveler via a traveler spring, wherein the second end of the pushrod is connected to the second portion of the locking device traveler, wherein the first target is connected for movement with the first portion of the locking device traveler and wherein the second target is connected for movement with the second portion of the locking device traveler, wherein, when the locking device brake is positioned in the braking position, movement of the vehicle door drives relative movement between the first portion of the locking device traveler and the second portion of the locking device traveler via the pushrod, so as to generate relative movement between the first target and the second target, and wherein the door force sensor is connected to the controller so as to send signals to the controller that are indicative of the positions of the first and second targets (512, 516), and wherein the controller is programmed to control operation of the motor based at least in part on a difference in the positions of the first and second targets (512, 516) relative to one another. a pushrod having a first end that is connected to one of the vehicle body and the vehicle door; a locking device at least a portion of which is mounted to the other of the vehicle body and the vehicle door, wherein the locking device includes a locking device traveler that is movable along a locking device traveler guide path, and a locking device brake, wherein the pushrod has a second end that is connected to the locking device traveler, wherein the locking device traveler is movable along the locking device traveler guide path by movement of the pushrod, wherein the locking device brake is positionable in a braking position in which the locking device brake prevents movement of the locking device traveler, and a release position in which the locking device brake permits movement of the locking device traveler; a motor that is operable to move the locking device brake between the braking and release positions; a controller that controls operation of the motor; and a door force sensor; characterized in that the door force sensor includes a first target path, and a second target path, and a first target that is connected to a first portion of the locking device traveler and movable along the first target path and a second target that is connected to a second portion of the locking device traveler and movable along the second target path, wherein the first portion of the locking device traveler is constrained for movement along a traveler path, and the second portion of the locking device traveler is movable relative to the first portion of the locking device traveler and is operatively connected to the first portion of the locking device traveler via a traveler spring, wherein the second end of the pushrod is connected to the second portion of the locking device traveler, wherein the first target is connected for movement with the first portion of the locking device traveler and wherein the second target is connected for movement with the second portion of the locking device traveler, wherein, when the locking device brake is positioned in the braking position, movement of the vehicle door drives relative movement between the first portion of the locking device traveler and the second portion of the locking device traveler via the pushrod, so as to generate relative movement between the first target and the second target, and wherein the door force sensor is connected to the controller so as to send signals to the controller that are indicative of the positions of the first and second targets (512, 516), and wherein the controller is programmed to control operation of the motor based at least in part on a difference in the positions of the first and second targets (512, 516) relative to one another.