Truck and Track Winter 2023 www.truckandtrack.com 38 WINTER DRIVING ADVICE Onspot is an uncomplicated, easy to use and the most reliable automatic snow chains system. On icy and slippery road conditions Onspot is activated by the driver – from the cab. For emergency vehicles, public transport or commercial haulage vehicles Onspot is a smart insurance to save lives, deadlines and reputations. When you must make it in time! www.onspot.com Winter Road Conditions - How to Increase Manoeuvrability? Written by Eric Carlebom When winter arrives, sudden weather changes can affect us. The nights are longer than the days, and wet road surfaces can quickly freeze into ice. Having good traction is essential for road safety. Read more here: What is friction and its relationship with traction? What is friction and its relationship with traction? A heavy truck, especially when fully loaded, carries a lot of weight. The contact surface of the truck tyre is the only link with the road that allows the truck to move forward. Increasing friction, especially in slippery road conditions, is crucial for manoeuvrability. Different tyre qualities, manual snow chains, and automatic snow chains are examples of factors that can improve manoeuvrability. Grip and friction can be described using the following concepts below. These concepts explain why traction is worse in slippery road conditions. Adhesion Rubber tyres, when under heavy pressure from the truck, adhere to the rough road surface. The rubber penetrates the irregularities of the road, resulting in better traction. However, this applies to dry roads. When the roads are icy, adhesion decreases significantly, affecting friction and traction. Hysteresis Hysteresis relates to how the rubber compresses when the tyre’s contact surface is pressed against the asphalt and then expands when it leaves the contact surface, thus demonstrating the material’s elasticity. This is the primary cause of tyre rolling resistance, and this opposing force also decreases significantly on icy roads. Hysteresis is related to how the rubber compresses when the tyre’s contact surface is pressed against the asphalt and then expands when it leaves the contact surface, demonstrating the material’s elasticity. This is the main reason for tyre rolling resistance, and this opposing force also decreases significantly on icy roads. Winter Road Conditions Most people are aware that traction is worse on slippery road conditions, particularly when there is black ice present. This is because the friction heat from the tyres melts the ice, creating a thin layer of water between the tyre and the road surface, thereby reducing adhesion. As a result, the rubber’s ability to penetrate the irregularities of the road decreases. Additionally, the time that the rubber remains deformed due to compression is extended, leading to a decrease in hysteresis. This knowledge is crucial for understanding the importance of traction in a heavy truck’s manoeuvrability. With the use of automatic snow chains, drivers can confidently remain in the warm cabin. By simply pressing a button to activate the system, the chains position themselves under the tyre’s contact surface, instantly improving traction. Drivers can continue their journey knowing they have increased safety, and once they have passed the slippery section, they can deactivate the system. This provides a sense of security for daily work on the roads. www.vbg.eu
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