Presentation of fka’s tyre technology division capabilities in testing, simulation and research. Describes fka’s collaboration with ZF on developing a C3 tread wear drum test rig to be operational in Q1 2027. Outlines fka’s offer to support joint development and validation of C3 drum abrasion methodology with TFTA members, requiring funding commitments or test workload from interested partners. Discusses technical considerations including drum curvature effects, surface texture replication, testing capacity estimates, and environmental impact of convoy versus laboratory testing methods.

ETRTO analysis of the European C3 tyre market segmentation, emission levels per tyre segment, and vehicle configurations. ETRTO recommends focusing on Segment A (Heavy Duty Tyres 22.5 for Long haul and regional usage), which captures approximately 71% of wear emissions. ETRTO evaluated five alternative methods to the convoy method using criteria including time to market, representativeness, regulatory suitability, and cost. ETRTO concludes the convoy method focusing on Segment A is the only feasible method given the mandated timeline, despite drawbacks including test duration and environmental impact.

Discussion document presenting general considerations for a C3 tyre abrasion test method. Topics addressed include objectives for reducing C3 tyre wear, quantification of C3 abrasion relative to overall and C1 abrasion, C3 tyre life including retreading effects, operational factors influencing tyre wear such as fleet optimization and load management, and environmental concerns regarding C3 microplastics and chemical requirements.

Presentation on single-wheel trailer technology for measuring tyre wear on C1, C2, and C3 tyres. The document describes a narrow trailer with one measuring wheel that eliminates vehicle-specific influences such as axle geometry, suspension kinematics, and drivetrain concepts to enable direct comparison of tyres from different manufacturers. The trailer uses a Cardan joint coupling that transmits roll movement from the towing vehicle while allowing pitch and yaw movements, with adjustable ballast positioning to control wheel load. Comparison tables show that the single-wheel trailer method produces results similar to outdoor convoy testing for lateral force, braking force, and camber while avoiding wheel load transfer effects present in conventional vehicle testing.

Document presents Japan’s heavy-duty vehicle market structure, C3 tyre classification and market share, and proposes concepts for vehicle and indoor drum test methods for C3 tyre abrasion testing. The vehicle test concept recommends establishing a single test method based on typical operating conditions using the WHVC mode, with the drive axle as reference. The indoor drum test method is proposed as preferable due to higher test accuracy and lower environmental impact compared to vehicle testing. Test conditions under consideration include input conditions based on WHVC with curve and slope running modes, inflation pressure and load aligned with vehicle specifications, drum diameter potentially increased from 3 m, and drum surface conditions based on C1 tyre definitions.

Draft agenda for the 52nd session of TFTA on 8 and 9 October 2026 in Brussels and remotely. The main target of the meeting is brainstorming on C3 test method. Discussion items include framing the C3 challenge, C3 tyre segmentation to categorise diverse tyre groups and duty cycles into manageable regulatory groups, methodological ideation for simplified C3 testing approaches, and funding and resource allocation. Additional items include C1 outcome discussion with Korean test centers regarding circuit SRTT abrasion level range and C2 status on ongoing test campaign.

Updates the year reference to the latest international standard specifications

A two-day brainstorming session will be held in Brussels during October 8-9, 2026. The session aims to address the lack of a concrete test method solution for C3 tyre abrasion by reflecting on innovative test method ideas not bound to existing C1 and C2 approaches, brainstorming phased introduction of tyre abrasion requirements across C3 tyre segments, and optimising resources to reduce testing burden. Day 1 will address C3 market complexities and tyre segmentation across duty cycles; Day 2 will cover methodological ideation, funding and resource allocation, and review of the C2 test campaign before the February 2027 working document.

The Task Force on Tyre Abrasion completed work on the UN Regulation on tyre abrasion for C1 tyres and is launching C2 work. UN R186 on tyre abrasion for C1 tyres was adopted at WP.29’s 199th session in June 2026, with a two-stage implementation approach beginning 30 June 2028. C2 test method development is ongoing with an Informal Document to be submitted to GRBP in February 2027 instead of September 2026. C3 tyres will undergo a brainstorming session in October 2026 before commencing testing.

Current work involves data-collection preparations for TAPP data assessment using an updated template. Some testing has already begun.

The agenda includes discussion of the status of the 2026 workplan (TA-51-03), UTAC tyre abrasion timeline Gantt chart (TA-51-02), development of mileage potential metric and tread depth measurement prescription (TA-51-5), test method development status, preparation of TFTA status report for GRBP 84th session (TA-51-04), and next meeting(s).

The document presents reflections on equivalence criteria for C2 tyres under Annex 4. C1 and C2 protocols are expected to remain very similar, with most changes having no impact on ALI and facility correlation. Key differences include tyre load and inflation pressure specifications. The main hypothesis states that if final C2 methods remain closely aligned to C1 methods, the existing equivalence framework for C1 could be maintained and extended to C2 testing, with already equivalent facilities receiving automatic equivalence or minor validation, and new facilities requiring amendment of Annex 4 to accept a mix of C1 and C2 tyres for demonstration of equivalence.

The Tyre Abrasion Task Force has completed tyre selection for the Confirmation plan 2026 and informed candidate test facilities. Tyre availability and shipments remain ongoing. Data collection and compilation for data assessment awaits test commencement. The SWG on Data Assessment has agreed to transfer discussions regarding exclusion criterion for high variability tyres and acceleration corrections to TAPP upon its resumption of meetings.

Draft minutes of the 49th session of the Task Force on Tyre Abrasion (TFTA), held June 3rd, 2026 (9:00–12:00 CET). Previous meeting minutes were approved. Action item TA-48-1: ETRTO to check feasibility to upload acceleration calculation examples on TFTA wiki. ETRTO confirmed feasibility assessment completed; example files could be moved to TFTA wiki with a disclaimer that TFTA is not responsible for example content. Action item TA-49-1: ETRTO will prepare disclaimer to be reviewed and validated by TFTA during 50th session. Agenda adopted. ETRTO presented comments on updated Gantt prepared by UTAC per document TA-49-03. TFTA agreed to evaluate data analysis per tyre segment when data available. JASIC requested more time to review and provide feedback next session. ETRTO and JATMA tyre manufacturers ready to make selected tyres available; first orders and deliveries started last week of May. Training session on best practices organized 2nd half of June. Action item TA-48-2: SWG on data assessment to redefine scope and mandate. SWG leader presented amendment proposal per document TA-49-02. TFTA agreed with SWG scope and mandate per TA-49-02/Rev.1. ETRTO stated mileage potential work should address all TFTA members and tyre manufacturers associations at UN level. JRC studying tread depth divided by abrasion index approach. Topic readdressed next TFTA. ETRTO noted test campaign running; final results expected Q4 2026 including 2nd set Normal and 3PMSF temperature behavior tests and pressure impact test. Action item TA-49-2: EC and JRC will reflect by next TFTA session how annex 4 would be impacted considering C2 tyres. TFTA co-chair suggested extraordinary brainstorming session end September/beginning October 2026 for C3 tyre abrasion test method development. Next meetings: 50th session July 6 (9:00–12:00 CET); 51st session August 25 (9:00–12:00 CET).

Draft agenda of the 50th session of the Task Force on Tyre Abrasion, scheduled for July 6th, 2026 (9:00-12:00 CET). The session will address the status of the 2026 workplan, organizational matters, workplan updates, best practice meetings with test facilities, ITTAC proposal on tyre abrasion Convoy Method Dual-Normalisation Framework, UTAC tyre abrasion timeline, TFTA activities financing, development of the mileage potential metric, test method development status for C1, C2, and C3 tyres, preparation of supplement 1 to UN Regulation No. 186, and improvements to test methods.