Apollo Vredestein has unveiled an
ultra-modern tread depth measuring station at its facilities in Enschede, Netherlands. The goal of the new unit is to make visitors more aware of the importance of
having the correct tread depth in terms of both their safety and the
environment.
It is common knowledge that tires with too little tread can lead to dangerous situations, especially during rain or snow. However, many drivers are unaware of the specific tread depth required by law, and the recommended replacement depth.
The legal limit is 2/32 of an inch. Drivers with less tread than 2/32 can be issued a citation. Most tire professionals recommend replacing tires with less than 4/32 of an inch of tread remaining. Adequate tread depth is especially on wet or snowy roads.
The laser tread depth measuring station was developed by Procontour
for police applications and large car fleets. It measures the tread
depth with a laser whenever a car drives over a grid with measurement
tools in the road surface. The system is capable of performing 35,000
measurements a minute and gives accurate figures at speeds of up to 120
km/h. It is equipped with a sensor and compressor that ensure that the
grid is blown clean whenever a car approaches to allow the laser to take
measurements. A matrix sign then indicates the tread depth of the tire
with the least tread. In the long term Apollo Vredestein aims to use the
system at the facilities of business partners and at large events or
locations that feature a large number of cars.
The ultimate goal of the Procontour system is to promote safe and educated driving. It is a definite possibility that tread depth measuring systems like these could become more widely used in the United States within a few years.