NHVR moves forward with PBS tyre review

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has begun extensive testing on a range of tyres used on Performance-Based Standards (PBS) combinations.

This development follows recommendations by road safety expert, Dr John de Pont, in his review of Tyre Management Practices in the PBS scheme.

NHVR Chief Engineer, Les Bruzsa, said the NHVR was working with the Australian Road Research Board (ARRB) to undertake tyre testing needed to progress Dr de Pont’s findings.

“In addition to the safety assessment projects being undertaken to investigate potential impacts of the generic tyre approach for PBS assessments, the NHVR has engaged ARRB to conduct tyre testing to consider the effects of varying test conditions on tyre performance,” said Bruzsa.

“The testing will examine the effect of variations in tread depth, vertical loads, different inflation pressures, road surface characteristics and the performance characteristics of different tyres.

“The results will also be used to determine how the performance of heavy vehicle tyres in the Australian market differ from the Michelin XZA tyre used to develop the PBS Standards.

“With almost one in five new heavy vehicles approved under the PBS scheme, we want to take a best-practice approach to the management of tyres on the PBS fleet.

“The testing is another step towards a consistent approach among manufacturers and will give heavy vehicle manufacturers certainty about how we measure tyre performance.

“We’d like to thank the Australian Tyre Industry Council (ATIC), Truck Industry Council (TIC) and the Australian Trucking Association (ATA) for their support in providing tyres and rims for this testing.”

Dr de Pont’s Review of Tyre Management Practice in the Australian PBS System discussion paper is available here.

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