New research from ISER's Tobias Schwoerer, senior research professional, UAA’s Civil Engineering Department and the Alaska State Department of Transportation show that studded tire use in Alaska costs $13.7 million a year and reduces the asphalt surface life between 7 and 9 years, depending on traffic, location, and type of asphalt mix. Phasing out the use of studded tires topped the researchers’ list of options to reduce the cost of road damage.