Pankau will present:

Tire NVH: Critical Review of Testing Methods through the Lens of Tire-Road Interaction

The presentation will explore one of the most important and complex areas of modern vehicle development: understanding how tires, road surfaces, testing methodologies, and vehicle systems work together to influence noise, vibration, harshness, and overall ride comfort.

For engineers working in tire development, vehicle dynamics, NVH, simulation, testing, and product optimization, these interactions can significantly affect both measured performance and the experience of the driver and passengers.

Looking Beyond Traditional Tire NVH Testing

A tire is the vehicle’s direct connection to the road. Every change in pavement, tire construction, tread design, operating condition, vehicle load, and speed can influence the forces and vibrations transmitted into the vehicle.

Because of this complex interaction, evaluating tire NVH requires more than simply collecting laboratory measurements. Engineers must also understand how testing conditions represent what occurs when a tire is operating on an actual road.

Pankau’s presentation will take a critical look at established and developing testing methods through the perspective of tire-road interaction, examining how engineers can better understand the advantages and limitations of different approaches.

The goal is not simply to generate more test data, but to generate data that provides meaningful insight into real-world vehicle behavior.

Decades of Tire, Vehicle, and NVH Engineering Experience

Johann Pankau brings more than 35 years of automotive research and development experience to the discussion. His background includes extensive engineering work in Germany and the United States involving tires, vehicle chassis, braking systems, ride comfort, NVH, simulation, and vehicle integration. Before founding NVH Consulting LLC, he led Tire NVH activities at Continental Tire North America, with responsibilities covering tire NVH, ride and comfort, simulation, vehicle interaction, and optimization.

His engineering experience also includes brake NVH, finite element analysis, vehicle testing, sound quality, modal analysis, vibration diagnostics.

This combination of tire, brake, chassis, vehicle, and NVH knowledge provides an especially valuable, unique perspective when examining tire-road interaction. Instead of analyzing the tire as an isolated component, the discussion can consider how tire behavior ultimately influences the complete vehicle.

Why Tire-Road Interaction Matters

Modern vehicle development continues to place greater emphasis on refinement, comfort, efficiency, and acoustic performance. At the same time, engineers must account for increasingly complex vehicle architectures and a wide variety of road surfaces and operating environments.

Tires play a central role in this equation.

Road input passes through the tire before reaching the suspension, body structure, and occupants. Tire characteristics can therefore influence vibration, structure-borne noise, airborne noise, steering feel, vehicle dynamics, and ride comfort.

NVH Consulting LLC has consistently emphasized the importance of evaluating tires as part of the larger vehicle system. The company’s work includes Tire NVH, NVH benchmarking, tire ride comfort, vehicle NVH testing, sound quality, modal analysis, data acquisition and evaluation, vehicle dynamics, and customized NVH training.

Pankau’s Tire Society presentation will build on this systems-level approach by examining how testing strategies can better account for the relationship among the tire, road surface, and vehicle.

Connecting Testing, Simulation, and Real-World Performance

One of the continuing challenges in NVH engineering is establishing strong correlation among controlled testing, simulation, component-level measurements, and actual vehicle performance.

A testing method may provide repeatable measurements, but repeatability alone does not guarantee that the test accurately reflects the conditions responsible for a customer-perceived noise or vibration issue.

Understanding these differences is particularly important in tire development, where changes in road texture, operating speed, tire loading, construction, and tread characteristics can alter the resulting NVH behavior.

By critically reviewing testing methodologies through the lens of tire-road interaction, Pankau’s presentation will encourage engineers to consider not only how measurements are taken, but also what those measurements represent when the tire is installed on a vehicle and driven under real-world conditions.

Continuing NVH Consulting LLC’s Commitment to Engineering Knowledge

Founded in 2025, NVH Consulting LLC provides specialized engineering expertise in noise, vibration, and harshness, tire and brake technology, ride comfort, testing, simulation, durability validation, and technical training. The company works with automotive organizations while also applying NVH expertise to additional industries where vibration and acoustic performance are critical.

The company has also continued to strengthen connections between industry and academia. NVH Consulting LLC has collaborated with Kettering University’s Noise, Vibration, Harshness, and Experimental Mechanics Laboratory to support research and development involving areas such as tire NVH, ride comfort optimization, and brake system noise reduction.

Participation in the 45th Annual Conference and Business Meeting on Tire Science and Technology represents another opportunity to exchange technical knowledge, discuss current engineering challenges, and contribute to the continued advancement of tire science and vehicle NVH.

Join Johann Pankau in Akron

45th Annual Conference and Business Meeting on Tire Science and Technology
September 22-23, 2026
Akron, Ohio

Featured Presentation

Tire NVH: Critical Review of Testing Methods through the Lens of Tire-Road Interaction

NVH Consulting LLC looks forward to connecting with engineers, researchers, tire professionals, suppliers, OEMs, and other members of the automotive engineering community during this year’s conference.

To learn more about NVH Consulting LLC, its tire NVH expertise, vehicle ride comfort services, testing capabilities, engineering consulting, and customized technical training, visit the NVH Consulting LLC website or contact the team to discuss your next engineering challenge.

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In this talk, I’ll dig into: Why full-vehicle, dynamometer, and indoor test methods often produce conflicting results. The physics behind tire-road noise — from road texture to structure-borne and airborne transmission.  A new “Flexible Spindle Rig” concept for more realistic indoor testing. Why psychoacoustic evaluation deserves to be standard practice, not an afterthought

If you work in tire, chassis, or vehicle NVH — or you’ve ever wondered why your car sounds different on every road — I’d love to see you there.

September 29–30, 2026  Garbsen, Germany

Let’s talk tire NVH!

#NVH #TireEngineering #AutomotiveEngineering #VDI #Eurotyre #VehicleDynamics #Acoustics #RideComfort #AutomotiveIndustry

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A major highlight was the establishment of a strategic partnership between NVH Consulting LLC and Optomet GmbH, the German leader in advanced laser vibrometer technology.

Under this agreement, I will support Optomet in the U.S. market by offering their innovative laser vibrometer products while also providing specialized laser vibrometer project services to help solve complex challenges in the automotive industry and beyond.

Dirk Günther, Founder and Managing Director of Optomet, and I are convinced that this collaboration will create strong leverage: combining Optomet’s cutting-edge laser measurement technology with more than three decades of hands-on NVH experience from NVH Consulting LLC. At the same time, it expands the portfolio of consulting services we can offer our clients.

We are both very excited about this partnership and look forward to delivering real value together.

If you are working on NVH challenges that could benefit from non-contact laser vibration measurement, feel free to reach out — I’d be happy to discuss how we can support you.

#NVH #AutomotiveTesting #LaserVibrometry #Automotive #Partnership #VibrationMeasurement #TestingExpo

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Over the semester we covered the core foundations of longitudinal, lateral, and vertical vehicle dynamics, with focused attention on:

Vehicle acceleration, resistances, and braking performance  

Vehicle comfort, suspension design, and ride quality  

Cornering behavior and the critical interaction between longitudinal and lateral dynamics  

The influence of tire slip angle on vehicle handling performance

A special emphasis was placed on the central role of tires in overall vehicle dynamics and performance — a topic that continues to drive innovation in the automotive industry.

These students now leave the course with a powerful combination of sound theoretical knowledge and practical, hands-on experience in vehicle dynamics — exactly the kind of preparation the Michigan automotive sector needs.

To leaders at automotive OEMs and supplier companies across Michigan: I strongly encourage you to reach out and connect with these talented Oakland University students. They are ready to contribute immediately and help drive the next generation of vehicle performance and innovation.

Happy to make introductions — just send me a message!  

#VehicleDynamics #AutomotiveEngineering #OaklandUniversity #MichiganAuto #EngineeringTalent #TireDynamics #SuspensionDesign

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Tire NVH and Ride Comfort: Critical Review of Testing Methods through the Lens of Tire-Road Interaction – Strategies, Surfaces, Pros, Cons, and Pathways Forward

Recognized as the leading conference for innovation, technology, and scientific exchange in the field, VDI Tire-Chassis-Road gathers top experts from the tire industry, vehicle manufacturers, the road sector, academia, and suppliers from across Europe.

The 23rd Tire-Chassis-Road Conference will be held September 29-30, 2026, in Hannover, Germany.

Digitalization and decarbonization are the two major drivers of profound change across all sectors – including mobility. Advances in (partially) autonomous driving and the increasing electrification of powertrains are also transforming chassis and tire development as well as road construction. In addition, environmental aspects such as tire wear and brake dust are increasingly being discussed publicly. The tire and chassis community is therefore called upon to collaboratively develop new solutions and optimize communication.

The 23rd VDI Specialist Conference “Tire – Chassis – Road” is the meeting place for leading experts from industry and research. Representatives from relevant companies, research institutes, and universities present their innovations and projects and discuss the current challenges in tire and suspension development. Hear what the key players from practice have to say and use this information to support your own development work.

This year, the following topics are the focus of the event:

• Driver assistance systems with tire/chassis/road interaction
• Performance/Driving safety through innovative tire/chassis/road systems
• Innovative development methods in simulation and testing
• Rolling resistance optimization via tires/chassis/road interaction
• Sustainable tire production (including recycling)
• Wear and emissions reduction for tires and brakes (including durability)
• Weight reduction on tires and chassis
• Driving dynamics and driving comfort
• Road concepts, road of the future

Event Details

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In vertical dynamics, tires serve as the first line of defense, absorbing road roughness and working in harmony with suspension springs and shock absorbers to deliver optimal comfort and performance.

But tire performance extends beyond vertical absorption: proper tire balancing plays a key role in overall vehicle dynamics.

Well-balanced tires minimize vibrations, delivering measurable benefits across multiple areas:

– Reduced rolling resistance → smoother rotation, lower energy loss, and improved fuel efficiency 

– Enhanced braking and handling → greater stability, shorter stopping distances, and more precise steering response  

– Superior ride comfort → elimination of unwanted shake, vibration for a quieter, more refined driving experience every driver feels 100% of the time  

At NVH Consulting LLC, we bring decades of specialized expertise in tire ride & comfort optimization. From on-vehicle proving ground testing across diverse surfaces and obstacles, to tire dyno cleat impact evaluations that bridge indoor and outdoor insights—we help OEMs and tire manufacturers achieve measurable improvements through rigorous subjective-objective correlations.

Whether you’re tackling ride refinement challenges or seeking deeper NVH solutions, our hands-on approach accelerates your path to superior tire and vehicle performance.

Curious about how tire balancing and ride optimization can elevate your next project? Let’s connect—I’d love to discuss how we can support your goals.

#TireTechnology #VehicleDynamics #NVH #RideComfort #TireBalancing #AutomotiveEngineering #OEM #TireManufacturing

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In tire development, pass-by noise testing tells only part of the story. The real challenge emerges under acceleration — the “Accelerated Drive” scenario — where torque transmission dramatically changes tire behavior and amplifies noise generation.

Here are some critical insights from tire-pavement interaction dynamics:

– Torque-induced forces reshape the footprint — Applied drive torque alters contact patch shape and pressure distribution, leading to uneven deformation. This intensifies tread block impact on the road, boosts shear stresses at the edges, and significantly increases overall pattern-induced noise compared to constant-speed rolling.

– Motion-state-specific designs are key — Effective noise mitigation requires tread patterns tailored to the driving state.

– Driven axles show stronger effects — Driven tires (front in FWD, rear in RWD) experience pronounced torque effects, often generating higher noise levels than free-rolling ones. Axle-specific pattern optimization — or even directional/asymmetric designs — becomes essential for balanced performance across the vehicle.

– Optimized edge geometry reduces shear noise 

– Hybrid stiffness zones in the tread (softer in center for comfort, stiffer at shoulders to manage torque-induced deformation).

– Advanced materials like low-hysteresis compounds in select tread areas to dampen torque-excited vibrations without sacrificing wear.

Reducing accelerated tire noise isn’t just about meeting regulations — it’s about delivering a premium driving experience, especially as powertrains get quieter (EVs!) and road/tire interaction becomes the dominant source.

What approaches have you seen or implemented to tackle torque-induced tire noise? I’d love to hear your experiences or favorite design tricks in the comments!

#TireTechnology #AutomotiveEngineering #NoiseReduction #TireDesign #EVNoise #PassByNoise #TreadPattern

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I’m thrilled to share exciting news from NVH Consulting LLC! Kicking off 2026 with my first international business trip of the year, I traveled to Korea in January to deliver a comprehensive 3-day seminar and interactive lecture series on Tire NVH (Noise, Vibration, and Harshness) technology.

The sessions brought together a talented group of engineers for in-depth discussions covering a wide range of critical topics:

– Tire testing methodologies — from indoor dyno evaluations to real-world outdoor vehicle tests

– Advanced tire computation methods and noise prediction techniques

– Tire tread pattern design and optimization strategies for noise reduction

– The influence of tire compounds on performance balance, including noise characteristics

– Strategies to harmonize key tire attributes like rolling resistance, handling, ride comfort, and NVH

A special focus was placed on the often under-discussed area of tire-road interaction — exploring how excitation from various road surfaces propagates as structure-borne and airborne noise into the vehicle interior. We dove into interpreting test results to identify dominant contributors across low, mid, and high-frequency ranges.

Additional highlights included insights into state-of-the-art indoor tire NVH testing facilities, sharing practical experiences with global testing protocols, and comparing different OEM approval approaches worldwide. We also examined tire noise regulations such as UNECE R117 (focused on tire-specific pass-by noise limits) and R51 (vehicle pass-by noise), along with practical methods for tread pattern optimization to meet these requirements.

This engagement perfectly aligns with the mission of NVH Consulting LLC, where I deliver specialized NVH and acoustic consulting services to the global automotive and tire industries. With over 36 years of hands-on experience in the automobile and tire sectors — combined with my university lecturing background — I’m passionate about bridging academic theory with real-world engineering challenges.

It’s deeply rewarding to equip engineers with actionable, practical knowledge that drives innovation, especially amid the rapid evolution of the automotive world: electrification, autonomous systems, and sustainable mobility. (Many of my former university students — now over 600 strong — hold key leadership roles worldwide, continuing to shape the industry’s future.)

Here’s to more collaborative opportunities in 2026 and beyond! If you’re tackling NVH challenges in tires, vehicles, or related fields, feel free to connect — I’d love to discuss how NVH Consulting LLC can support your team.

#TireNVH #AutomotiveEngineering #NVH #TireTechnology #Acoustics #Engineering #AutomotiveInnovation #NVHConsulting

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Excited to kick off the Winter 2026 semester at Oakland University, where I’m once again teaching my Vehicle Dynamics course to a group of 36 highly motivated students! This marks my 17th year leading this class, and the passion never fades—it’s a true joy to share the intricacies of vehicle handling, stability, and performance with the next wave of engineers.

This role perfectly complements my work at NVH Consulting LLC, where I provide specialized Noise, Vibration, and Harshness (NVH) and acoustic services to industries worldwide. With over 36 years of hands-on engineering experience, I’m dedicated to bridging the gap between academia and real-world application, equipping these students with practical knowledge that will propel them forward.

It’s incredibly rewarding to know that more than 600 of my former students are now thriving in the global industry, holding key managerial and executive positions. They’re not just participants—they’re future leaders shaping engineering in this country and beyond.

In an era of rapid transformations in the automotive sector—think electrification, autonomous tech, and sustainable mobility—transferring this expertise to the new generation feels more crucial than ever. It’s an investment in our collective future, fostering innovation and resilience in the engineering community.

Here’s to another semester of inspiring discussions, challenging projects, and building the engineers of tomorrow! If you’re in the field or have insights on vehicle dynamics trends, I’d love to connect and hear your thoughts.

#OaklandUniversity #VehicleDynamics #EngineeringEducation #AutomotiveInnovation #NVHConsulting

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Over the past 35+ years, I’ve had the privilege of contributing to R&D in Brake and Tire Technology, with a strong focus on NVH (Noise, Vibration, and Harshness), Acoustics, and the intricate interactions of these systems with the vehicle. This has given me a unique depth of engineering expertise in two critical vehicle components that directly impact safety—brakes and tires, on which our lives depend and which must never fail during operation.

Both brakes and tires heavily interact with the vehicle, forming the core of tire and brake NVH expertise. These interactions span low, mid, and high frequency ranges:

– **Low Frequency Area**: Periodic excitations from brakes (e.g., brake judder) and tires (e.g., nonuniformity, flat spots) are influenced by suspension stiffness—particularly bushings—and the steering system, including front wheel positions (camber, caster, toe angles, and scrub radius). These factors are crucial in either creating or mitigating issues.

– **Mid Frequency Area**: Here, brakes generate vibrations and noise like groan or creep groan, while tires contribute through nonuniformity, cavity modes, and tire modes. The suspension’s modal behavior and vibration transmissibility in all three directions (fore-aft, vertical, and lateral) play a key role in transmitting structure-borne noise to the vehicle cabin.

– **High Frequency Area (above 500 Hz)**: Brakes experience various squeal noise generations, while tires interact complexly with the road—through tread patterns, road texture, and aerodynamic effects like air-pumping, pipe resonance, and the horn effect. These generate sound waves that propagate as air-borne noise into the cabin.

As customer demands for more comfortable vehicles intensify, expertise in tire and brake NVH becomes increasingly vital to overall vehicle quality perception.

At NVH Consulting LLC, this specialized knowledge sets us apart from other NVH service providers. With hands-on experience in simulation, testing, and real-world applications, we’re equipped to deliver exceptional results.

If you’re seeking support or expertise in Brake, Tire NVH, or related technologies, feel free to reach out—let’s connect!

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