Test track to boost Bridgestone Americas’ tyre development

Bridgestone is enhancing its tyre development capabilities in the USA with an expansion to its Americas Technology Center campus in Akron, Ohio. The project includes the construction of a new vehicle dynamics test track that will facilitate the development of future tyre technologies by allowing team members to drive prototypes first-hand and thus quickly ascertain which further enhancements are necessary. The track will also supplement tyre testing operations currently performed at Bridgestone’s Proving Grounds in Texas, Ohio, Mexico, and South America.

“We’re excited to advance our leading-edge tyre and technology development with the expansion of our testing capabilities in Akron,” said Nizar Trigui, chief technology officer and group president, solutions businesses, Bridgestone Americas. “As we continue to evolve our products and provide sustainable mobility solutions to our customers, we’re confident that this new tyre test track will support enhanced product education and improve agility in engineering decision making for our product development process.”

Upon its completion next autumn, the test track facility will feature multiple vehicle dynamics courses designed to simulate the rigours of real-world driving conditions. These include a long straightaway to assess lane change performance; an NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) course to test ride comfort and road noise; and a wet and dry weather handling course.

ATPC nearing completion

The new test track facility is the latest in a series of investments undertaken by Bridgestone to solidify its Akron R&D campus as home to all its research, product development, technology, and core data systems throughout the Americas. The company is also nearing completion of its Advanced Tire Production Center (ATPC), which is scheduled to open next summer, where the company will manufacture Firestone race tyres for the IndyCar Series. The ATPC, an investment of more than US$17 million, will feature state-of-the-art production technologies to support race tyre manufacturing and will be capable of efficiently producing small batches of specialty, prototype tyres for testing and development purposes for both racing and on-road applications.

Relighting an Icon

Bridgestone also flipped the switch and relighted its iconic Firestone sign atop the ATPC on 19 November. This sign has stood atop the Firestone Plant One building for more than a century before its relocated to the ATPC in September 2021, and Bridgestone refers to it as an “indelible part” of Akron’s history. In the spirit of Bridgestone’s commitment to sustainability, the Firestone sign has undergone a full restoration, complete with upgrades to its structure and the installation of more than 120 linear metres of energy-efficient LED light bulbs.

The century-old Firestone sign is now at home atop the ATPC (Photo: Bridgestone Americas)

The Bridgestone Americas Technology Center Akron campus spans more than 100 acres (40 hectares) and is home to more than 600 Bridgestone employees dedicated to developing the design, specification and materials used in tyres produced in both North and South America. It houses multiple labs and testing technologies to develop solutions for the future of mobility.