Overdrive Magazine | Trucking Business News & Owner Operator Info
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EQUIPMENT SPOTLIGHT TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING Tire monitoring systems becoming mainstream By Aaron Huff B eing cautious about investing in new technology is wise, especially if the technology hasn't been widely validated. One sign that the validation has taken place is when an established company chooses to integrate the new technology into its own products. A good example of this is tire pressure monitoring systems. Their costs vary widely, depending partly on how many wheels are monitored, but the technology has been proven to increase fuel savings and lower maintenance costs, as well as to improve vehicle safety and stability. Some of the systems can now be spec'd on new trucks. Many providers use a self-contained device that gathers tire pressure and temperature readings from wireless sensors mounted on valve stems or wheel rims. Drivers are notified of abnormal readings on a dash display. In 2009, Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems acquired the SmarTire TPMS platform and since has made it available as a factory-installed option. Tire pressure and temperature alerts now can be displayed by tire location in Volvo's dash cluster, and Paccar soon also will offer SmarTire as a factoryinstalled option, says T.J. Thomas of Bendix's Controls group. Bendix plans to integrate TPMS with a vehicle's other active safety systems so that driver alerts from TPMS, rollover stability control, radar-based collision warning and other systems will be prioritized, Thomas says. About three years ago, a number of telematics companies began to contact PressurePro about integrating sensor readings from its TPMS. "We are getting contacted by at least one a week all around the world," says Phil Zaroor, president of PressurePro. The product now is integrated with PeopleNet, Omnitracs and other major telematics platforms. Doran Manufacturing's TPMS is integrated with RandMcNally's TruckPC platform, PeopleNet Blu and SafetyTrax AVL, and the company is working to finalize integration with other telematics providers, says Jim Samocki, general manager. Automatic tire inflation systems installed on the trailer also can be integrated with in-cab telematics. The Meritor System by PSI is designed to pass information to the tractor's CAN bus through the electrical connector and also to be integrated directly with trailertracking systems. The majority of vendors use wireless sensors that twist onto the valve stem and depress the valve core to get constant tire pressure and temperature readings. While interior rim-mounted sensors may be more expensive and take longer to install, they are designed to offer better protection from leaks and theft. Continental Tire's ContiPressure-Check integrates its sensors, communication system and data processor into a single module housed inside a rubber container and glued to the tire's inner surface. The sensors continuously monitor both air pressure and the tire's temperature and transfer data wirelessly to the truck's electronic control unit. Sensor readings from PressurePro's TPMS are displayed on its monitor and are integrated with PeopleNet, Omnitracs and other major telematics platforms. Bendix plans to integrate its SmarTire TPMS platform with a vehicle's other active safety systems. Doran Manufacturing's TPMS is integrated with PeopleNet Blu, and the company is working to finalize integration with other telematics providers. Stemco's BatRF family of TPMS products uses wheel-mounted sensors. Its AirBat RF product line includes an in-dash display as well as integration with third-party telematics devices. 40 | Overdrive | August 2013 Equipment spotlight_0813.indd 40 7/29/13 8:58 PM