Virginia Tech testing shows worth of single wide-base truck tires

BLACKSBURG, Va. (March 24)—The new generation of single wide-base truck tires are no more damaging to pavement than conventional dual tires on tractor-trailers, according to research done at the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute at Blacksburg-based Virginia Technical Institute. Michelin Americas Research and Development Corp. paid the VTTI $200,000 to be the third-party researcher for the new single tires. The tires have a wider, flatter footprint than previous single wide-base tires, as well as much stronger walls with less curvature, making for less damage to road surfaces, said Imad Al-Qadi, leader of VTTI's Roadway Infrastructure Group.