A Study of Tire Characteristics and Vehicle Performance on Snow-covered Roads 2015-01-1522

Vehicle dynamic performance on snow-covered roads is one aspect of performance that is influenced by tire performance. Much research concerning a vehicle's performance on snow-covered roads has focused on being directed to vehicle control technology that increases control when the tire-slip ratio is larger, such as anti-lock braking systems (ABS) and electronic stability control (ESC). There has been little research, regarding performance when the slip ratio on a snow- covered road is smaller.

We studied the friction performance of tires on snow-covered roads to predict vehicle performance within the grip range. We propose a technology for predicting vehicle performance within the small slipangle range and also verify its effectiveness.

We established the tire characteristics that assure the grip range on a snow-covered road using performance indicators. We used a vehicle model based on a linear two degree of freedom system, in combination with a driver model in a closed-loop simulation to predict handling performance in the small slip-angle range of a vehicle equipped with tires with these characteristics. We show that these results correlate with the subjective evaluations of drivers on actual vehicles.