The Effect of Pavement Grooves on the Ride of Passenger Cars - The Role of Tires

A study of the role of tires in the ride-disturbance created in passenger cars by longitudinal grooves in highway pavements is presented. The coincidence of groove spacing in pavement and groove spacing in tires is shown to be of major importance. Tire construction and operating conditions are shown to be secondary. A methodical approach for evaluating tread patterns for potential disturbance is described.