THE DEFINITIVE TRUCKING SITE

May 2008

Inventing ‘a better mouse trap’ is an enterprise alive and well in truck transport. The slim profit margins and highly competitive nature of the industry necessitate rigorous curtailing of running costs via the adoption of technologies that reduce operational risk and promote vehicle uptime. In the realm of tyre management, fleet operators are thinking ‘out the box’, looking for better ways to prolong tyre life, reports Paul Collings. 
 

Number crunching – the N-Tyre management system accurately calculates CPK per tyre, helping operators make the right choices with their rubber assets.    The N-Tyre software is web-based enabling operators to access critical tyre info from rolling rigs, anywhere in the world.

Hi-tech rubber management 

The convergence of information and communications technologies like cellular phones, radio signals, satellites, the internet and computer software has changed the way modern fleets operate, giving fleet controllers access to comprehensive real-time ‘round-theclock’ information on the status of their trucks and drivers. While most of these ‘telematics’ Fleet Management solutions focus on engine use and vehicle position, a new tyre management system currently undergoing field tests is able to relay comprehensive ‘up-to-the-minute’ tyre information back to base while trucks are on the road. 

Locally developed, the N-Tyre System combines hi-tech hardware and software to bring a new level of control to tyre management, says Geoff Vickerstaff, N-Tyre director: “Comprising an in-tyre tag (which transmits a radio signal), a self-powered hub unit (a radio receiver), a vehicle identification unit and an in-cab display unit, the system’s hardware continuously transmits critical data from each wheel to the cab and informs the driver of any pending problem before it is too late. Critical factors like tyre pressures, brake and  wheel bearing temperatures, as well as potential tread separation are constantly monitored and transmitted to the cab and to our web server using GPRS.” 

The system also offers accurate assessment of CPK, routes traveled and other invaluable statistical information based on actual tyre performance data, adds Vickerstaff. “It includes its own unique method of automatically ascertaining trailer configurations whilst ignoring all signals emanating from any neighbouring vehicles. The system helps operators reduce tyre wear by maintaining correct tyre pressures (deflating tyres also cause accelerated wear to the neighbouring tyre), prevent tyre damage caused by locked brakes by monitoring brake temperatures and improve re-treading potential by safeguarding the casing from abuse which renders the casing invalid for further retreading.” 
 

Tyre intelligence - Geoff Vickerstaff holding the in-tyre RF tag.

Technology also frees up labour and N-Tyre enables drivers to pinpoint under-inflated tyres without the oldschool tyre-bashing truck inspection walkabout. “It gives fleet operators unprecedented levels of intelligence regarding all aspects of their tyre assets, helping them save money while improving road safety,” Vickerstaff concludes.