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Winter Tire Study

Winter Tire Study. 2009 Canadian Utility Fleet Forum May 26, 2009 Evelyn Thompson Enbridge Gas Distribution. Objective of study. To conduct market research and cost analysis on the relative effectiveness of winter tires on the Enbridge East fleet. Executive Summary.

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Winter Tire Study

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  1. Winter Tire Study 2009 Canadian Utility Fleet Forum May 26, 2009 Evelyn Thompson Enbridge Gas Distribution

  2. Objective of study To conduct market research and cost analysis on the relative effectiveness of winter tires on the Enbridge East fleet.

  3. Executive Summary • Implemented 100% winter tire use on light duty fleet for Gazifere location (Quebec) effective December 15, 2008 • Increased Ottawa/Eastern Region, Barrie & Peterborough to 100% winter tire use (light duty vehicles) by the end of 2008 (Previous: Eastern 60%, Barrie and Peterborough 10%) • 100% winter tire use on entire Enbridge East fleet may contribute to the goal of Top Decile Safety, but for the cost of $513k over 5 years, the safety statistics benefits are not conclusive • Recommendation is to remain at our recently increased % winter tire level in the areas of the greatest benefit

  4. Enbridge East – Practices • Construction / Maintenance / Dump Trucks • all use aggressive rugged tires • Best for off-pavement use however; on-road use for all-seasons • Light Duty (cars, trucks, vans) • All-season tires used; areas experiencing colder temperatures and greater amounts of snowfall install winter tires on specific vehicles. • 60% of Eastern • 10% of Central • 100% of EGNB

  5. Provincial Legislation • Winter tires NOT mandatory • Majority of fleets and vehicle owners use “all-season” tires • First province to implement mandatory winter tires effective fall of 2008 • December 15 to March 15 regardless of weather and road conditions • All four tire positions • Fines of $200 to $300 if not compliant • Winter tires NOT mandatory however, encouraged • Studded tires allowed October 15 thru May 1

  6. Tire Performance Wide or Hi-Performance Tires • Better handling and grip however, more expensive • Traction limited in snowy conditions unless specifically designed for snow All-Season or “M+S” (mud & snow) • Good all-weather performance • Comfortable ride • Typically lack precise handling and grip • Less effective in heavy snow & slush Winter Tires • Deeper tread and more flexible in colder temperatures • Maintains elasticity until -40° C • Tread pattern allows tire to clear itself of snow • Today’s rubber components stay supple and more like foam rubber • Tires marked with this pictograph meet specific snow traction performance requirements. • Designed specifically for use in severe snow conditions

  7. Winter Tire Performance Benefits Test conditions: • -20°C with 3-5 cm of compacted snow & ice • Automatic transmission & anti-lock brakes Source: Comparative Evaluation of Performance of All-Season tires and Winter tires, Ministry of Transportation, Quebec, 2002

  8. Geographic weather conditions* * December thru March estimates

  9. Safety • Ontario Ministry of Transportation acknowledges that winter weather demands more from drivers • Nearly 65,000 collisions occur annually during the winter months • Enbridge Motor Vehicle Collision Report does not collect data specifically on whether snow tires were installed

  10. Safe Winter Driving Habits • Adjust driving speed that is appropriate for the road and weather conditions; leave plenty of room between you and the vehicle in front. • Check the condition of tires and air pressures regularly. A tire can lose one pound of air pressure for every five-degree drop in temperature. • Avoid mixing tires of different tread patterns, construction and size. Replace any that are damaged or have worn treads. • Install all four winter tires, even on front-wheel drive vehicles, for best control in slippery and snow conditions.

  11. Fatalities and Serious Accidents • Studies show 62% of vehicles involved in fatal and serious accidents in Quebec were equipped with snow tires; 38% were equipped with all-season tires • Transport Canada collects data on traffic collision statistics however, no information on types of tires used in collisions • Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators’ “Road Safety Vision 2010” action plan is to make Canada’s roads the safest in the world; unfortunately use of winter tires is not an initiative

  12. Tire Expenditures Incremental costs to Enbridge East

  13. Recommendations • Implement 100% winter tire use for Gazifere as this is legislative requirement for light duty vehicles - COMPLETED • Increase Eastern Region, Barrie & Peterborough winter tire use to 100% for light duty vehicles - COMPLETED • Install all four winter tires, even on front-wheel drive vehicles, for best control in slippery and snow conditions - COMPLETED • Good driving habits cannot be stressed enough to ensure the safety of our employees! - ONGOING • Enbridge’s quest to achieve top decile in safety may lead to the decision to go 100% winter tire use on entire Enbridge East fleet.

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