We lead international research consortia on the topic of road noise

1. February 2022 Felix Schlatter, Erik Bühlmann Highlights
#Acoustics, #Highlight, #Mobility, #Quiet tyres, #Research

Road noise is an international problem that needs internationally coordinated solutions. Under the leadership of G+P, an international team developed solutions in the research project "STEER" - Strengthening the Effect of quieter tyres on European Roads - to better utilise the positive influence of quieter tyres on European roads.

We lead international research consortia on the topic of road noise
We lead international research consortia on the topic of road noise

Tyres - No.1 source of road noise - an international problem

Road noise is the number one source of noise. The corresponding emission is divided into a drive noise component and a rolling noise component. The rolling noise dominates even at low speeds from about 30 km/h. This means that the choice of tyre, in addition to the road surface, is the noise source. The right choice of tyres can therefore provide effective protection against noise.

Spoilt for choice - which tyre to choose?

The market for tyres is very large and there are various options for equipping your vehicle accordingly. The European tyre label plays an important role in the selection of tyres. The tyre label presents the most important parameters of the tyre in a clear form. This helps the consumer to easily find out about the characteristics of the tyre.

EU_tyre_label
European Tyre Label (Valid from 1 May 2022). Source: https://ec.europa.eu

How does a tyre label come about and what problems does this cause?

A tyre label is determined according to a prescribed procedure. For the noise emission of a tyre, for example, this is UN ECE R117. This procedure was analysed by the research team down to the smallest detail. From this analysis, suggestions for improvement were developed. This ensures that the label is reproducible and representative. This provides a basis for being able to actively pursue noise protection.

International problems need international approaches

With the international project team consisting of researchers from Belgium, Norway, Sweden and Finland, it was possible to draw on the experience of various international luminaries. The views of the project partner and tyre manufacturer, NOKIAN Tyres PLC, could also be included. This well-positioned team, which came from the G+P network as project leader, highlighted the fact that, in a European context, different points of view must be taken into account in order to achieve generally valid and widely supported solutions.

Recommendations for the adaptation of the tyre label procedure:

Under the leadership of G+P, the international research team was able to successfully demonstrate that the tyre label supports consumers in their choice of tyres. However, the consumer's awareness of the noise problem must be further promoted.

With the work of the various international partners, concrete proposals could be developed to make the procedure for determining the tyre label more robust for the future. These proposals can now be taken up, discussed and implemented in the standardisation bodies of the European Union. Thanks to the international research network and the support of G+P, concrete solutions for the further spread of quiet tyres have been created.

(Video only in german)
 

Further information

The detailed "Quiet Tyres" results are available in the final report. More information on the project is available on the CEDR website: