Effect of Tyre Pressure on Braking Distance of Tubeless Tyres on Asphalt Road

Abstract

Background: Motor vehicle accidents are a menace on the road. This phenomenon is not only occurring locally, regionally, but globally too. A thorough understanding of how tubeless tyres react to braking distance under different tyre pressures will greatly help in reducing road traffic accidents. Aim: To investigate the influence of tyre pressure on the braking distance of tubeless tyres on smooth asphalt roads in Ghana. Methodology: An experiment was conducted involving a Toyota pickup car, model year 2016 HILUX/DLX, on an asphalt road, at Akenten Appiah-Mensah University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development-Kumas, Ghana. The data were analysed with Microsoft Excel [Version 21] and presented in tabular and graphical forms, and interpreted to satisfy the research objective. Results: The study observed that at the standard tyre pressure of 40psi, the average stopping distance was lower than that experienced at under-inflated and over-inflated tyre pressures at a test vehicle speed of 60km/h. Besides, the study found that as the tyre pressure increases, the braking distance increases correspondingly at 60km/h of the test vehicle. The study indicated that the lower the tyre pressure, the longer the braking distance at a test vehicle speed of 60km/h. Conclusion: The study concluded that the tyre pressure plays a vital role in contributing to addressing road traffic accidents as it influences the distance taken to stop a motor vehicle. The study findings can be used to guide stakeholders in formulating recommendations for tyre pressures for road operations in Ghana and elsewhere. The study indicated that the lower the tyre pressure, the longer the braking distance at a test vehicle speed of 60km/h.