To obtain definite information on traction characteristics of snow tires with various type of anti-skid chains, experimental and analytical research was carried out on slippery surfaces such as packed snow and ice-covered roads. Using a specific model pertaining to tread pattern slip on road surfaces, a theoretical equation expressing the relationship between tire adhesion and slip ratio was introduced. By a slide-table-type tire tester, traction measurements on rolling snow tires were carried out under various chain and road condition. These results show that the traction of snow tire is affected strongly by the chain and road surface conditions. Generally, on packed snow-covered or ice-covered roads, the traction coefficient decreased considerably in comparison with the values for snow-free road. Snow tires fitted with regular metal chains seem to be most useful under slippery road conditions. On the contrary, new type chains made of plastic or rubber cannot be expected to work effectively on all slippery road surfaces, in spite of their noiseless and harmless (to the pavement) merits. Thus, the type of anti-skid chain must be selected suitably for the road surface condition.
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