Bridgestone: Wet handling track inaugurated

The new wet handling area was developed in a virtual environment beforehand. According to information from Bridgestone, the company had a cooperation with several partners from the vehicle industry in order to finetune the requirements for maximum testing possibilities at the wet handling track. Their feedback combined with virtual simulations formed the foundation for the design of the track. Bridgestone focused on a modular approach with separate design and development areas – like e.g., a new surface, an improved layout, and a more efficient water management.

According to company information, the asphalt surface of the test track was designed in cooperation with Pisa University. The track surface consists of aggregates with extremely good wearing attributes. At the same time, a consistency of the track and a constant grip level had to be guaranteed. According to the Japanese developers, the layout of the track offers dynamic, flexible conditions with smooth transitions, which are to enable the ideal analysis and evaluation of e.g., over- or understeering. Moreover, compared to the original layout, a higher number of combined track variations and corresponding data collection is possible.

“Due to the previous virtual development, we had been able to evaluate different scenarios, and, as a consequence, picked the most promising configurations. The virtual development offered tremendous advantages concerning sustainability, as the procedure enabled a more efficient use of resources. Furthermore, a new water system with six kilometres of pipes will be able to redirect the water to a 4-million-litre container. Thus, 90 per cent of the water will be reused and environmental impacts of the new facility will be further reduced”, says the tyre manufacturer. Additionally, safety procedures on the wet handling track could be further increased because of the use of Argex, a clay material, in discharge areas. Putting the project into practice offered an opportunity to improve the safety management of the test site too.

The European Research & Development Centre and Bridgestone’s test site are at the heart of a product and solution development in the EMIA region (Eastern Europe, Middle East, India, Africa). “Bridgestone is one of the leading investors in the areas of research and development in the industry, and our cutting-edge testing facilities are a crucial element of the company’s constant commitment to innovation”, explains Emilio Tiberio, COO & CTO at Bridgestone EMIA. “By Providing our customers and partners with different testing environments, which include new road surfaces and conditions, we will better be able to consider seasonal impacts on the grip behaviour of tyres. Thus, the level of safety for the drivers will finally be increased. While safety has already been an important topic for our company, sustainability is as close to our hearts. As a consequence, we have continuously been further developing our processes in order to reduce the consumption of resources and add value for humans and environment”.