Tokyo – Bridgestone Corp. has launched a joint-research project with Yokohama National University and the Japan transportation planning association to enhance curb-docking: enabling bus tires to more closely approach curbs.
In a 24 Jan statement, the Japanese tire-maker said the project would aim to minimise the gaps between boarding entrances and bus stops.
“A concept for a next-generation curb docking system and road edge design was developed recently from research conducted with the project. Development is also underway for a tire technology that enhances the wear-resistance of the side of tires approaching the curb,” Bridgestone added.
The project will improve existing ideas for curbs and develop new concept tires that will make boarding easier for physically-challenged people.
Bridgestone aims to complete these technologies and find practical applications for them by the year 2020.
The tire-maker said it has been developing a wear-resistant technology for reducing the damage to tire sidewalls from contact with the curb.
“The wear-resistant technology is based on the concept of reducing the abrasive energy generated from contact between the tire and the curb. The benefits of this technology have been confirmed through tests of prototypes,” the company added.
Based on data provided by tests, Bridgestone anticipates that the new materials-based technology will help reduce wear to tire sidewalls by approximately 30%.
