Greater use of friction tyres sought in the Helsinki metropolitan area

The cities of the Helsinki metropolitan area and Helsinki Region Environmental Services Authority HSY point out that the use of studded tyres increases street dust and reduces air quality. Studded tyres should not be chosen automatically out of habit. Instead, motorists should reconsider their choice of winter tyres. Winter tyres have developed, and friction tyres are a good option for motorists living in urban areas. From the perspective of road safety, a safe and anticipatory driving style and the condition of the tyres are more important than the type of winter tyre.

Street dust is a significant air quality problem in cities. Street dust levels in the air are highest during the spring street dust season, but dusty days also occur at other times during the winter tyre season when street surfaces are dry. Studded tyres heavily abrade the asphalt surface and are responsible for a large proportion of street dust.

“Studded tyres are the main source of street dust in the Helsinki metropolitan area. Replacing studded tyres with friction tyres improves air quality and reduces the adverse effects of street dust on health and general comfort,” says Nelli Kaski, Air Quality Expert at HSY.

The use of friction tyres has increased in the Helsinki metropolitan area in recent years. Annual winter tyre surveys conducted by Helsinki, Espoo and Vantaa show that an increasing number of motorists are choosing friction tyres instead of studded tyres.

“It is important for air quality that the share of friction tyres in traffic increases. Last winter, friction tyres accounted for approximately 47% of winter tyres in Espoo,” says Maria Myllynen, Head of Environmental Supervision Unit at the City of Espoo.

Helsinki, Espoo, Vantaa and Kauniainen also want to increase the use of friction tyres. In cooperation with the other cities, Espoo has produced a brochure that helps motorists compare friction tyres and studded tyres and choose the winter tyres that best suit their needs. The brochure will be distributed to vehicle inspection stations and tyre retailers across the Helsinki metropolitan area.

“The best way to prevent street dust is to favour walking, cycling and public transport. However, for those who drive, friction tyres are the best winter tyre option from the perspective of air quality,” Kaski says.

In addition to improving air quality, the use of friction tyres also offers other benefits. Kaski gives five reasons why they are a good choice for motorists living in urban areas.

1. Better air quality and fewer symptoms caused by street dust. Friction tyres generate considerably less street dust than studded tyres. The more motorists use friction tyres, the less street dust there is in the air and the fewer symptoms people experience.
2. Less tyre noise. Driving with friction tyres generates less noise both in the surrounding environment and inside the vehicle than driving with studded tyres.
3. Flexibility. Friction tyres provide greater flexibility in the timing of tyre changes in both autumn and spring.
4. Streets remain in better condition. Friction tyres cause less wear to road surfaces than studded tyres.
5. Safe driving matters more than the type of tyre. From the perspective of road safety, the driver’s anticipatory driving style and the condition of the tyres are more important than the type of winter tyre.

This autumn, campaigns by the cities of the Helsinki metropolitan area and HSY to promote the use of friction tyres will be seen and heard on city digital displays, in street advertising, on social media, in cinemas and on the radio, as well as at selected vehicle inspection stations and tyre retailers.

Further information
•    hel.fi/kitkat(external link, opens in a new window)
•    Which winter tyres are best for you?(external link, opens in a new window) brochure (pdf, in Finnish)