 

U.S. Department 										55 Broadway
of Transportation										Cambridge, MA 02142

Research and
Innovative Technology
Administration

Volpe National Transportation Systems Center

July 25, 2011
MEMORANDUM
SUBJECT:	Ex parte meeting with Bridgestone North America
FROM:		Gregory Powell, NHTSA
TO:		Docket No. NHTSA-2010-0079
This memorandum documents a meeting held on May 4, 2011 between Bridgestone North America, EPA, and DOT regarding the proposed fuel efficiency and greenhouse gas standards for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles and engines for model years 2014-2018.  The attendees included:
Bridgestone North America:  Steve Charles, Tim Robinson, Tom Fominary 
EPA: Angela Cullen, Byron Bunker   
NHTSA/DOT:  Abigail Morgan, Coralie Cooper, Rebecca Yoon, Mary Versailles, Maurice Hicks, Gregory Powell

Representatives of Bridgestone North America, the Department of Transportation/NHTSA and the Environmental Protection Agency met at the request of the Environment Protection Agency to discuss Medium and Heavy Duty Tire rolling resistance for vocational vehicles. 
Clarifications were sought regarding the capabilities, needs and levels of rolling resistance for vocational vehicles. The discussion covered the full-life cycle of tires, wear life, and wet traction capabilities of low rolling resistance tires. 
As part of the lifecycle discussion, the group touched on the potential capabilities of re-treading tires versus disposal. 
