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At The Proving Grounds
At the Goodyear proving grounds – a 7,250-acre facility with 58 miles of test track – features include a fast race-type circuit and wetted handling area as well as shops, test machines and even a petting zoo (a pair of rattlesnakes in a cage at the main training area). There's also a tire footprint analysis area.
This area is used to see what happens to the tire footprint – the part squished against the road surface – as it rolls through a very specific depth of water. It helps engineers see and calculate how different tread patterns dissipate surface water and keep the tire from lifting on the water and eventually aquaplaning. The glass block has cameras below and can see how much of the tread area is in contact with the plate at different speeds.
I asked whether a closed shoulder (with a solid rib all around) retained the water and lifted earlier.
No, they said. Contrary to perception, little water is ejected sideways; most goes forward. So there's little difference in wet-surface grip between a closed shoulder and an open shoulder, contrary to many drivers' beliefs.
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