Tire testing systems and methods

A tire testing method, comprising:

• providing a first rail and a second rail;
• providing a carriage assembly coupled to the first rail and the second rail such that five degrees of freedom of motion of the carriage assembly are thereby constrained;
• providing a first bogie assembly coupling the carriage assembly to the first rail such that at least lateral, pitch, and yaw motions of the carriage assembly are thereby constrained;
• providing a second bogie assembly coupling the carriage assembly to the second rail such that at least vertical and roll motions of the carriage assembly are thereby constrained;
• wherein the carriage assembly translates in a direction that is tangential to the first rail;
• and
• providing a tire articulation system coupled to the carriage assembly, wherein the tire articulation system comprises a dedicated actuator for each degree of freedom of motion of a test tire coupled thereto.

A tire testing method, comprising:

• providing a first rail and a second rail;
• providing a road surface disposed adjacent to the first rail and the second rail;
• providing a carriage assembly coupled to the first rail and the second rail such that five degrees of freedom of motion of the carriage assembly are thereby constrained;
• providing a first bogie assembly coupling the carriage assembly to the first rail such that at least lateral, pitch, and yaw motions of the carriage assembly are thereby constrained;
• providing a second bogie assembly coupling the carriage assembly to the second rail such that at least vertical and roll motions of the carriage assembly are thereby constrained;
• wherein the carriage assembly translates in a direction that is tangential to the first rail;
• and
• providing a tire articulation system coupled to the carriage assembly, wherein the tire articulation system comprises a dedicated actuator for each degree of freedom of motion of a test tire coupled thereto.