Interpretation ID: aiam1158
The Southern Connecticut Gas Co.
880 Broad Street
Bridgeport
Connecticut 06609;
Dear Mr. Livsey: This is in reply to your letter to Mr. David Snyder of this agenc regarding information on tests performed on recapped tires, specifically, data comparing failure characteristics of retreaded tires with those of new tires.; The NHTSA does not presently have test data of the specific type yo request. We are attempting to obtain that data through research contracts with outside parties, and results of that research, when they are received, will be placed in the rulemaking docket regarding retreaded tires. Other test data for retreaded tires have been placed in this docket (Docket No. 1-8), which is open for public inspection at NHTSA headquarters, 400 7th Street, S.W., Washington, D.C.; Certain studies have been conducted on the failure rates of tires, an some comparative data have been complied. One volume with which we are familiar summarizes studies which provided information of this type. It is, Brenner and Harvey, Tire Use Survey, the Physical Condition, Use and Performance of Passenger Car Tires in the United States of America, NBS Technical Note 528, (National Bureau of Standards U.S. Department of Commerce). Copies are available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402. It should be ordered by SD Catalog No. C13.46:528, prepaid, at 60 a copy.; Yours truly, Richard B. Dyson, Assistant Chief Counsel