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This consultation closed on 28 March 2019. The NHVR would like to thank everyone who took the time to provide feedback.
What is it?
The NHVR has appointed independent road safety expert Dr John de Pont to lead a review of PBS tyre standards and operations.
Why we’re consulting
Clarification of tyre data is necessary to ensure that PBS Assessments completed by computer simulation align with real world vehicle performance and also that assessments using different software packages are comparable.
Dr John de Pont has published a discussion paper that follows provides a broad overview of the state of knowledge of how tyres behave and what the key tyre characteristics are in relation to the performance measures in the PBS scheme. It then discusses the main issues associated with applying this knowledge of tyre behaviour to PBS assessments and the operations of PBS vehicles. Finally it proposes some options for the way forward and discusses the pros and cons of these.
It should be noted that the options proposed are not the only possibilities. It is possible to use combinations of these options or to propose something completely new. At this time, there is no preference for any of the options outlined. Views on the preferred options will be informed by stakeholder feedback.
Background
Since assuming responsibility for the PBS scheme in 2013, the NHVR has received numerous representations from a range of stakeholders about issues relating to PBS tyres. These issues cover a wide range of issues that span the life of a PBS vehicle, from the data and testing requirements during the design and assessment of a PBS vehicle, to the in-service maintenance and use of PBS vehicles and combinations.
Tyres are consumable items but their characteristics can have a significant effect on some aspects of vehicle performance. In addition, there are no international technical standards that can be easily adopted for the PBS Scheme.