Safer roads on the horizon
As the EU upgrades its road transport systems with a strong focus on safety and eco-friendliness, it is striving to find ways to raise and harmonise road standards across the continent. One important area being addressed looks at minimising the skidding of cars to enhance safety and promote greener transport. The EU-funded project 'Tyre and road surface optimisation for skid resistance and further effects' (Tyrosafe) brought together stakeholders from Belgium, Germany, France, Netherlands, Austria, Slovenia and the United Kingdom to realise this aim. The project studied tyre and road dynamics to achieve better interaction between the two, which would increase safety for drivers, reduce CO2 emissions and minimise noise. In particular, it outlined cutting-edge technical and scientific advances in the field and mapped future research priorities that advance skid resistance, rolling resistance and noise. Tyrosafe then produced an in-depth assessment of all the elements involved (tyres, skidding, noise, safety) and their interaction with the environment. It filled knowledge gaps and produced recommendations to manage critical road surface properties, unveiling how best to standardise assessment methods and harmonise design and safety policies. This has provided a wealth of knowledge to the car industry, road transport administrations and government authorities. If exploited and applied, the results of the project will enable EU Member States to reduce accidents and road fatalities, in addition to promoting greener road transport and reducing noise pollution.
