Automotive Exports December 2021

Coventry University researchers
bid to save lives with new device
designed to prevent aquaplaning
Coventry University researchers are hoping
to save lives through a new device they’ve
developed to prevent vehicles from
aquaplaning and losing traction control
due to adverse road conditions.
Professor Mike Blundell and Ravi Ranjan
from Coventry University’s Research
Institute for Clean Growth and Future
Mobility have produced the Run Dry
Traction System (RDTS) following a twoyear
research project.
The prototype product aims to prevent
aquaplaning and loss of traction in a variety
of road conditions. Aquaplaning, also
referred to as hydroplaning, happens when
a layer of surface water builds up between
a vehicle’s tyres and the road surface,
leading to a complete loss of grip. This can
occur with as little as 2-3mm of standing
water on the road surface when vehicles
are travelling at a variety of speeds and is a
leading cause of road traffic accidents.
The RDTS presents a novel potential
solution to aquaplaning and the loss of
traction by preventing water and other
contaminants from reaching the tyre. The
device works by firing a jet of compressed
gas close to the front of the wheel,
removing surface water in front of the tyre
to ensure the vehicle has a dry patch of
road ahead. This effectively ensures grip
is not compromised by road contaminants
such as water, sand and gravel.
Professor Mike Blundell, Professor of
Vehicle Dynamics and Impact at Coventry
University, said: “Our tests demonstrate
that RDTS has the potential to make a huge
impact on vehicle safety in a whole host
of conditions. The prospect of producing
something that could even save lives on
the road is extremely exciting and after
some initial success with testing, we’re
now eager to look into manufacturing
potential and further research to take this
concept to the next level.
“A device like this really could be the
difference between life and death if it can
help vehicles to stop safely within certain
distances and that’s why we’re so keen to
continue developing this concept.”
The RDTS has been designed to be fitted
to a wide range of vehicles, including cars,
buses, trucks and motorcycles and with
further development, it could even have
the potential to be used to improve aircraft
ground operations and rail transport
safety.
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