By Andrew Williams,
Contributing Editor

According to statistics released by the Department of Transport, traffic volumes continued rising in 2007. The report confirms what most motorists would guess, our roads are getting increasingly congested, and journey times are getting ever longer.

However, there is some cause for optimism to be drawn from these latest figures. It seems that the growth in traffic is at least slowing down. The year on year increase since 2000 has been 1.3% per annum, but this shrank to 0.6% in 2007. In fact there was a decrease in car traffic of 1%, but this was offset by increases in light and heavy goods traffic.

So, while the days of carefree motoring may be behind us, we do seem to be moving, slowly, in the right direction.

By Andrew Williams,
Contributing Editor

What is reasonable mileage? How often do you change your tyres? Well, a Plymouth based, food-distribution company is working on the theory that anything over 1 million kilometres is fine.

When the Samworth Brothers bought a new MAN TGA tractor unit in 2004, it came with Michelin XDE2 casings fitted as Original Equipment. After over half a million kilometres the tyres were regrooved, which enabled them to put in another 120,000 kilometres of service. After over 600,000km the Samworths may have felt that they had got their moneys worth but no, they could see the possibility of squeezing further mileage out of these hard-worked tyres. Accordingly the tyres were removed and sent to the Michelin Remix centre in Stoke-on-Trent, here they were remoulded into a set of XDE2 Remix tyres.

These Remix tyres have now pushed the total mileage beyond the 1 million kilometre mark, and these tyres are not finished yet. They still have a further 10mm of tread, and when that is worn down to the limit of 3-4mm the tyres will be regrooved for the second time.

Kelvin Hunn, fleet maintenance controller for Samworth Brothers, paid tribute to the combined efforts of his company and the tyre manufacturers; ?With our knowledge of Michelin products combined with Michelin?s understanding of our requirements and their ongoing support, it is the perfect example of what can be achieved through commitment, hard work and good tyre management?.

Obviously, such tyre management has great financial advantages for a haulier while, at the same time, helping to reduce their carbon footprint. As these particular Michelin tyres keep rolling, it would seem they must have set some kind of mileage record. Unless anyone out there knows differently?

By Andrew Williams,
Contributing Editor

The need to find uses for recycled tyre rubber is encouraging considerable lateral thinking on the part of the environmentally aware. Recent tests suggest that tyre derived rubber crumb is perfectly suited for constructing, rebuilding and repairing public rights of way.

Most rights of way are currently repaired using crushed concrete. This gives a very hard surface, which is long lasting but unsuited to the needs of a great many users of these routes. By contrast, tyre waste creates a durable surface, with the advantage of versatility and suitability for a wide range of uses.

Following trials by Nottinghamshire and Hertfordshire County Councils it appears that rubber crumb from tyre waste meets their needs perfectly. According to Peter Jarman, Rights of Way Manager at Nottinghamshire County Council, Local Authorities are obliged to provide surfaces which meet the needs of as many user groups as possible. Jarman confirmed that, ?the surfaces themselves have demonstrated that they are durable and suit the needs of all our main user groups. The feedback we have received has certainly been very positive and we consider the trial a success. Finding a surfacing solution which best satisfies the varying needs of the different users is a significant challenge for local authorities and we?re extremely pleased with the way these trial sections have performed. We are now looking for more opportunities to incorporate recycled tyre material in other surfacing projects.?

Hertfordshire County Council echoes these findings, stressing that the softer, yet durable, surface afforded by tyre waste is ideal for bridleways. Colin Hambrook, Countryside Access Officer for Hertfordshire County Council, explains: ?We commonly use crushed concrete as an aggregate which hardens over time and can therefore be unacceptable to a significant number of horse riders. We?re hopeful we?ve found a good alternative in tyre-rubber.?

It seems that even after recycling, some tyres will continue transporting people into the countryside, in an extremely environmentally friendly way.

By Andrew Williams,
Contributing Editor

When Steven Gerrard leads the England football team out at Wembley tonight the players will be relishing playing on the lush Wembley turf. However, in the future the possibility is that, even at the highest level, players will be playing not on grass, but on ?turf? produced from recycled tyres.

County Durham recycling firm Credential Automotive currently process about 11 million tyres per year, and two thirds of this total goes into the manufacture of synthetic football pitches. Credential supplies a Canadian firm, FieldTurf Tarket, who supply synthetic ?turf? to numerous UEFA and FIFA approved grounds. The company was responsible for the pitch at Moscow?s Luzhniki BSA Olympic Stadium, which was the first ground with an artificial pitch to host a UEFA Cup match.

The technology that lies behind FieldTurf, produces a durable pitch that recreates the feel and playing characteristics of the real thing. Steve Patterson, of Credential, stated, ?We?re proud to be playing our parting sporting excellence around the world?.

In order to keep pace with the growing demand the Durham based company has had to invest in some state-of-the-art technology. The most dramatic example of this was the installation, in 2007, of the ?Tyrannosaurus? ? a tyre shredder with the capacity to shred 20 tonnes of tyres per hour.

In the competitive and busy world of sport, pitches undergo continual wear and tear, and synthetic pitches may ease the pressure on over-used grounds. The quality of the product suits it to use at the highest levels, and over the next few years more and more players may find themselves playing on something that they had previously only thought about driving on. Who knows it may even see the recycling of England?s footballing fortunes.

By Andrew Williams,
Contributing Editor

While the tyre industry engages in research to produce safer, smoother-running tyres, their efforts are being undermined by the inactivity of local councils. Recent research has revealed that 12% of the country?s 1 million potholes are not being repaired by local authority road departments.

This has implications for safety and motoring costs. In extreme cases potholes may cause accidents and, at best, they certainly damage tyres. Over the last 10 years claims for pothole damage have increased by an average of 60% across the UK.

Tyresafe, the industry?s safety body, has called on local authorities to address the parlous state of our roads. In the meantime, they advise motorists that the best method to reduce tyre damage is to ensure that tyre pressures are kept at the recommended levels. They also suggest that drivers who suspect that their tyres may be damaged should seek advice from their local tyre dealer.

By Andrew Williams,
Contributing Editor

Customers buying replacement tyres through car dealerships and fast-fit outlets are paying up to 50% more than they would pay to an independent, local dealer.

Recent research has confirmed the belief that local tyre dealers offer the best value for money. The research reports that the average car tyre costs £79.79, while the average from local suppliers stands at £62.62, giving a benefit to the motorist of over 25%. It also reveals that while independents are the cheapest suppliers, the most expensive are the fast-fit dealers whose average tyre price stands at £94.21. This means that motorists are paying a premium of over 50% when choosing to buy from a fast-fit supplier.

These price differences are particularly noteworthy for motorists who select ultra-high-performance tyres. The average price point for these tyres, with a speed rating of W or above, is £115.10, but the price difference between tyres purchased from independents and those bought at fast-fit outlets can be as much as £50.00 per tyre. Given that, according to DVLA statistics, the UHP tyres wear out twice as fast as standard tyres the purchase price can add dramatically to a motorists costs.

Pricing has always been central to the ETYRES philosophy, and we keep our prices 40% below those of the leading tyre depots.

By Andrew Williams,
Contributing Editor

Fly-tipping of used tyres is an increasingly serious problem for tyre retailers, and one that, ultimately, is paid for by the consumer.

According to the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, fly-tipping incidents are doubling each year. In the year 2006/7 there were 31,990 cases of illegal tyre dumping, and this cost the industry £2m. This is a cost that individual retailers cannot possibly cover, and it is therefore passed on to motorists in the form of higher tyre prices.

When buying new tyres few motorists give a thought to what happens to their old ones. It is obviously in their interest to make enquiries about tyre disposal before buying a new set of tyres. Both the environmental and economic effects of fly-tipping make it imperative that motorists take the issue on-board, and start to make use of their purchasing power to influence the situation.

ETYRES has led the way in the implementation of a green tyre policy, and only works with registered tyre disposal companies. Our Green Policy is outlined by Vicki Butler-Henderson elsewhere on our web-site.

By Andrew Williams,
Contributing Editor

German tyre-manufacturer Continental is set to launch a range of self-sealing tyres at next month?s Geneva International Motor Show.

In Geneva, Continental will unveil a selection of self-sealing tyres for the European market. The tyres use technology known as ContiSeal, which involves the use of a protective layer inside the tyre-tread that seals any puncture immediately, and allows a car to continue traveling as normal. Unlike run-on-flat tyres, the Continental self-sealing tyre doesn?t have post-puncture limitations on speed or distance, and allows continued normal usage.

The seal offers protection against sharp objects, such as nails and screws, up to 5mm in diameter. According to Continental the tyre is proof against 85% of leaks and, eliminates the need for a spare tyre. However, the company recommends that motorists remain vigilant and check their tyres regularly to look for implanted nails or screws.

The tyre will be launched with the ContiSportContact 3 tread design, and will be seen first on the new Passat CC, which will also be unveiled at the Geneva show.

By Andrew Williams,
Contributing Editor

Continental, the German tyre manufacturer, has revealed research into a holistic approach to tyre design that will help maximize the effects of driver assistance technologies, such as ABS/ESC systems.

The majority of modern cars are now fitted with electronic ABS and ESC systems, which are designed to help drivers overcome problems with skidding or poor cornering. Since ABS was introduced, in 1978, driver assistance systems have become increasingly sophisticated, but tyre design has taken little or no account of the compatibility of tyres to the electronic systems. Continental is set to rectify this omission.

As a manufacturer of both auto-electronic systems like ESC and vehicle tyres, Continental is in a unique position to maximize its knowledge to ensure that the two products work in harmony to bring out the best in each other. The intention is to produce safer tyres and electronic systems that are more interactive than constrictive, allowing the room for ?fun? but safe driving.

Tyre designers at Continental have been experimenting with different tyre treads to see which works most efficiently in conjunction with ABS and ESC systems. According to the company, they have developed a holistic, integrated design for tyres and driver assist systems that will help to prevent accidents.

Continental?s research shows that the likelihood of an accident is six-fold during the winter months compared to summer, and that over 50% of all accidents occur during the winter. Dr Burkhard Wies, director of passenger vehicle tyre development at Continental, stated that, ?Despite new winter tyres and driver assist systems, hardly anything has changed in this regard. We have to rely on integrated system networks if we want to make any significant strides in dealing with hazardous wintry road conditions?.

When working in conjunction with different driver assistance systems, winter tyre tread-design affects braking distance and cornering performance differently. The engineers at Continental have been searching for the optimum tyre design, and they advise coordinating driver assistance systems and tyres to overcome any conflict in objectives, and to shorten braking distances and enhance cornering.

Continental?s holistic approach is expected to bear fruit in the near future. They hope to introduce a winter tyre with a tread design customized to vehicles with ABS and ESC systems, which will reduce breaking distances by 10% while optimizing cornering ability. This could enhance the effects of driver assistance systems and have a profound impact on safety expectations in the future, especially in wintry conditions.