Bridgestone inaugurates new wet handling track at European Proving Ground

Bridgestone has inaugurated a new state-of-the-art wet handling track at its European Proving Ground (EUPG) near Rome. The tyre manufacturer says the track was designed to provide suitable testing for “both traditional vehicle manufacturers and new EV players” in a variety of weather conditions. Designed within a virtual environment ahead of construction, the project received an investment of approximately 3 million euros.

Bridgestone says its refinement of the wet handling track design considered feedback and data collected from a range of vehicle manufacturer partners and test drivers. It created virtual simulations, taking a modular approach to its development, including surface, enhanced layout and water management efficiency.

The surface of the track was designed in association with Pisa University, incorporating carefully selected aggregates that are more resilient to wear. Bridgestone explains that the delivery of constant friction and enhanced grip levels make it easier to evaluate the overall performance of tyres.

The track’s layout offers “dynamic transient conditions with combined inputs and more on/off throttle operation,” Bridgestone continues; “the possibility to perform slalom tests using the fast chicane and the ability to drive in either direction; more combined accelerations than the original layout; [and] more evident longitudinal accelerations than the original layout.” As a result, Bridgestone says the track will enhance its ability to match requirements of its premium tyre customers’ demands.

Virtual development

Bridgestone simulated tracks to fine tune the design before construction began. This allowed it to “evaluate in advance different scenarios and then select the best possible configuration.” Virtual development also offered significant sustainability benefits, Bridgestone says, allowing it to use resources more efficiently. Its new water system uses 6km of piping to move water back to a four million litre reservoir. Within this system, Bridgestone says it can recycle “up to 90 per cent of water,” which will reduce the facility’s environmental impact.

Safety features

Bridgestone has increased safety at the wet handling track by using the clay material Argex in run-off areas to reduce stopping distances. Bridgestone also improved the security management at its EUPG, introducing a new EUPG Safety Management System. The new system allows for fully digital and automated control of the tracks at the facility. Bridgestone can alert test drivers in real time with safety prevention warnings, which are also shown on a screen through visual dashboards and enforced with automatic voice messages. The tyre manufacturer says this will ensure they can focus fully on driving while still receiving crucial safety information. Other new features include digital access to all tracks at the facility by registered permissions, along with virtual gates to help manage specific areas.

Bridgestone’s European R&D Centre and Proving Ground is a focal point of product and solution development in the region. It says the EUPG is “one of the most advanced proving grounds in the tyre world.” It has used various specific materials and combinations to represent the wide range of surfaces found in Europe. Bridgestone’s proprietary Virtual Tyre Development technology was also developed there.

Emilio Tiberio, COO & CTO of Bridgestone EMIA, commented: “Bridgestone is one of the leading investors in Research & Development in the industry and our state-of-the-art testing facilities are a substantial part of the company’s ongoing commitment to innovation. By providing our customers and partners with different testing environments, including new road surfaces and conditions, we’re able to better address the seasonal effects on tyre grip level, which ultimately improves safety for drivers. And while safety is of the utmost importance to us as a business, sustainability is too – that’s why we are continually evolving our processes to reduce resource consumption in order to have a more positive effect on people and planet.”