Hydroplaning: preparing today for tomorrow’s downpours

Hydroplaning is a phenomenon that can occur on wet roads where a motorised vehicle’s speed is such that tyres begin to rise up over the water film similar to water skis, resulting in the loss of frictional forces between the tyres and road and hence loss of vehicle control. Given Australia’s east coast recent large rain downpours and flooding and New Zealand’s expected future extreme rainfalls, it may now be timely to review Australia’s and New Zealand’s vehicle roadworthy laws concerning minimum tyre tread depth of 1.5 mm and the need for in-vehicle tyre pressure monitoring systems. This article discusses the relationship between tread depth and critical speed identifying when hydroplaning occurs. Two fatal injury vehicle crash case examples are discussed to illustrate the concern. Increasing minimum tread depth for roadworthiness compliance and automatic tyre pressure monitoring are recommended based on this study.

• Record URL:
  • https://doi.org/10.33492/ARSC-2022
• Record URL:
  • https://australasianroadsafetyconference.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/ARSC2022-Christchurch-Proceedings.pdf
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/9780648184850
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Extended abstract
• Authors:
  • Grzebieta, R
  • Rechnitzer, G
• Conference:
  • Australasian Road Safety Conference, 2022, Christchurch, New Zealand
• Publication Date: 2022-9

Media Info

• Pagination: 294-297

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Hydroplaning; Regulations; Rolling contact; Tire pressure; Tire treads; Vehicle safety
• Geographic Terms: Australia; New Zealand
• ATRI Terms: Aquaplaning; Tyre pressure; Tyre tread; Vehicle pavement interaction; Vehicle regulations; Vehicle safety
• Subject Areas: Law;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01933691
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: ARRB Group Limited
• ISBN: 9780648184850
• Files: ATRI
• Created Date: Oct 15 2024 1:32PM