Citation

Williams AR. Transp. Res. Rec. 1977; 621: 148-161.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1977, Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences USA, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

It was within Europe that the initial concern for tyre performance under wet conditions was isolated and related to the safety of the road transport system, and where many of the approaches towards the theoretical understanding of polymer friction and wear have been initiated and continue. This paper reviews developments in car and truck tyre design, and raw material technology over recent years and relates these to the current trends in tyre performance under wet conditions. The secondary role of the tyre relative to the road surface in the generation of a "safe" level of wet friction is discussed both in relation to existing legislation and to the essential compromise that is the tyre operating as an intermediary between the vehicle and road surface. Research into road surfaces and the further understanding of the phenomena occurring at the tyre/road interface suggests the areas where future developments will be made leading closer to the awaited comprehensive theory of tyre to road interaction.