Content on this site is under review following the formation of a new government.

Tyre/road noise - Assessment of the existing and proposed tyre noise limits

Assessment of the existing and proposed tyre noise limits - Abstract

Purpose of study

The Transport Research Laboratory was commissioned the Department for Transport (DfT) to carry out a programme of research to evaluate the effects that lowering the tyre noise limit values would have on actual levels of traffic noise in the community as well as examining possible effects on tyre safety, rolling resistance and economy. The accompanying report describes the results of this study.

Background

Regulations governing the permitted levels of noise generated by vehicle tyres were introduced in the European Union in 2001. More recently, the European Commission announced its programme to review the tyre regulations and to consider the possibilities of imposing more stringent tyre noise limit values. It is likely that the amendments to the regulations that will not only include significant reductions in the permissible noise from vehicle tyres but will also include considerations of tyre wet grip adhesion and tyre rolling resistance. The DfT commissioned this study to help inform this process.

Methodology

As part of the project several European databases on tyre / road noise were assembled. A small measurement programme on a sample of the latest tyre designs was also carried out to supplement the main database. The analysis of the database focussed on examining the effectiveness of the current regulations in reducing traffic noise, the potential, through technological development, of lowering tyre noise limits in the future, and in establishing whether there were likely to be any significant effects on tyre safety and rolling resistance. The Report includes an examination of alternative methods of reducing noise other than through changes to the limit values. A partial Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) associated with the proposed lowering of the limit values was performed. This identified the main impacts of the proposed changes to the various stakeholder groups and estimated the overall economic benefits and costs.

Tyre/road noise report (1 Mb)

Report of the effects that lowering EU vehicle tyre noise limit values would have on actual levels of traffic noise in the community as well as examining possible effects on tyre safety, rolling resistance and economy.