Factors Affecting Tire Traction

Of the many variables involved in the problem of wet skidding, the most significant single factor is speed, since it is the one item which remains entirely within the control of each individual vehicle operator. On wet surfaces, the effects of speed on the apparent coefficient of friction are reduced as the surface texture becomes more coarse. Although more consistent frictional coefficients obtained by increasing surface coarseness would assist greatly in reducing skidding, the many other variables involved remain an integral part of the tire traction problem. Factors considered in this paper are: tread design and compound, tire construction, inflation pressure, road surface, tire load, and temperature.