Influence of Tires Age on Vehicle's Braking Performance: a Case Study

Abstract

Tires are one of the main components of active vehicle safety systems. The primary function of tires is to ensure the transmission of traction, torque, and braking forces to the road surface independently from weather conditions and vehicle speed. During the vehicle movement, tires should also offer an adequate level of comfort, stability, maneuverability, as well as a high degree of safety. From the point of active safety systems, tires have a substantial impact on different braking system parameters, especially the braking distance. When dealing with emergencies that require fast stopping of the vehicle, drivers need a minimum braking distance in order to avoid accidents. Data collected during the research shows that more than 32% of the vehicles in Kosovo use tires over six years old. In comparison, only about 11% of the vehicles are fitted with new tires. Multiple studies have pointed out that old and used tires can lead to an increase in the number of road accidents. This paper investigates the influence the tire age has on vehicle braking performance by analyzing parameters of the braking system such as average vehicle deceleration (MFDD), braking distance (Sf), and braking time (Tbr).