This study focused on investigating how tire grip performance on dry, wet, and snowy road surfaces varied with the different level of tire wear. New, 50% worn, and end-of-life tires were prepared following worn tire preparation standards. Additionally, worn tires obtained under real driving conditions in the market were used. Tire grip performances on dry, wet and snowy roads were characterized respectively by using an indoor flat belt machine, an outdoor trailer, and a specially designed snow truck. The results demonstrated an evolution of grip performance as a function of tire wear. The study identified differences in impact between worn tire preparation methods —real driving versus artificial—particularly on snowy road surfaces. Furthermore, the effects of tire stiffness, reduced tread depth, and tread surface roughness of worn tires were investigated for each type of road surface.
The objective of this study is to enhance the understanding of tire behavior throughout its lifecycle to enable more sophisticated tuning of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and chassis control systems, thereby improving vehicle driving safety and performance.