The National Centre for Research and Development

Gdańsk University of Technology, together with the Polish company EKKOM Sp. z o.o. and the Swiss enterprise Grolimund + Partner AG (G+P), is carrying out the research and development project entitled “Environmental Consumer-Oriented Labelling Advancement for Better tire energy Efficiency and Lower external noise” (ECOLABEL). Through this initiative, the international consortium aims to improve the energy efficiency of road transport, reduce noise emissions, and provide consumers with even more accurate information about tyre performance.

Today, tyre labels include information on parameters such as rolling resistance and external noise levels. However, these parameters are determined under laboratory and testing conditions that often differ significantly from real-world road environments. Tyre rolling noise is currently measured on a special ISO-compliant reference surface characterized by a very low noise level. Such surfaces, however, are not representative of typical road conditions. Rolling resistance, in turn, is tested in a laboratory using a smooth steel drum at a temperature of 25°C. Meanwhile, average temperatures across Europe are considerably lower, and tyre operating conditions are far more diverse.

Numerous studies indicate that the values displayed on tyre labels do not always reflect tyres’ actual performance in everyday use. The ECOLABEL project seeks to address this issue by developing a more representative, user-oriented testing methodology based on a standardized reference road surface. To achieve this, researchers will identify the most common road surface in Europe, scan it using 3D technology, and reproduce it as laboratory replicas that enable testing under conditions much closer to real-world operation.

The new methodology will be validated through measurements of external noise and rolling resistance on roads in Poland and Switzerland, as well as on their corresponding laboratory replicas. The developed road surface model and manufacturing technology will be made publicly available, enabling their use by tyre manufacturers, laboratories, and certification bodies. The project will conclude with an assessment of the costs, benefits, and environmental impact of the new solution.

Quieter Roads, Lower Energy Consumption, and More Informed Consumer Choices

The project’s outcomes will contribute to providing consumers with more reliable information about tyre performance, which may increase interest in products with lower noise emissions and reduced rolling resistance. This could lead to lower energy consumption and, in the case of conventional vehicles, reduced fuel use and CO emissions. Reducing road traffic noise can also improve the quality of life for people living near major transport routes.

Funding under the Swiss-Polish Cooperation Programme

The ECOLABEL project has received PLN 4,484,755.80 in funding under the Research and Innovation Programme, Applied Research of the Swiss-Polish Cooperation Programme. Managed by the National Centre for Research and Development (NCBR), the programme supports the development and implementation of innovative solutions that benefit society and contribute to sustainable development.

The project is being implemented by a consortium of three partners with expertise in different areas of transport and environmental protection. Gdańsk University of Technology is responsible for scientific research on the impact of tyres and road surfaces on noise generation and energy consumption. The Swiss company Grolimund + Partner AG contributes expertise in noise monitoring and mitigation solutions. EKKOM Sp. z o.o., in turn, specializes in environmental analyses and the assessment of the environmental impact of road infrastructure. The partners have collaborated for many years, combining scientific knowledge with practical experience, which provides a strong foundation for successful project implementation.

Project activities have been underway since the beginning of 2026, with completion scheduled for the end of 2028.

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