Research focuses on the understanding and the modeling of friction, wear and lubrication at the interface between the tire and trafficked surfaces (pavement, runway, rail, etc.) in the presence of water or other contaminants such as fine particles. The applications aim to improve user safety, optimize infrastructure maintenance and innovate manufacturing processes. 
The equipment makes it possible to: 
1- measure the coefficient of friction on laboratory samples (cores, plates) or on trafficked surfaces (road, pedestrian crossings, etc.). Some devices are suitable for surfaces with reduced dimensions (metro rails in particular). Measurements can be punctual or continuous. They can be performed at different speeds. Each device is equipped with a water spray system to wet the test surface; 
2- measure the surface topography (profiles or height maps) using non-contact sensors on laboratory samples (cores, plates). Some devices are transportable and can make measurements on trafficked surfaces (road, pedestrian crossings, etc.). The measurement principles are varied (triangulation, focal variation) making it possible to achieve high resolutions (micron scale). The use of different magnifications makes it possible to examine different surface dimensions (1mm x 1mm to 10cm x 10cm); 
3- simulate polishing using the Wehner/Schulze machine. This machine is used to polish laboratory samples (cores 225 mm in diameter) and to measure the coefficient of friction at different states of polishing. Polishing is performed using rubber cones in the presence of a mixture of water and abrasives. The friction coefficient is measured using rubber pads in the presence of water.

Initial and Professional training.

Many industrial partnerships with transport stakeholders - road, aeronautics, urban, etc. - make it possible to conduct research and development, in particular within the framework of PhD theses.