Engineering news
A technology that provides instant tyre pressure readings for cars, trucks and buses, without the need to stop the vehicle, is being piloted at Keele Services on the M6 (southbound).
The drive-over instrument, launched by WheelRight, automatically measures and the records the pressure in a vehicle’s tyres. In addition it can assess the vehicle’s weight, load distribution, and tyre temperature.
The system can be connected to an automatic number plate recognition camera so the data can be assigned to the correct vehicle and transmitted by SMS to the driver or to the fleet manager or fleet management system.
Currently, the UK sees approximately 25 deaths and nearly 1,500 serious accidents every year attributed to poorly inflated or defective tyres. The ability to easily measure tyre pressures remotely and within seconds could encourage drivers to undertake checks more often.
The three-month pilot scheme, which is being organised in partnership with the Highways Agency, started on 25 March. It is the first time the UK-developed technology will be publicly available for use by both car and HGV drivers.
Two WheelRight systems will be installed at Keele, one in the HGV area and another for private motorists. To get their free tyre pressure readings, motorists just need to drive over the embedded instrument.
Their results are available automatically in seconds either on a touch screen or paper print-out. Should tyres require immediate attention; drivers will be able to use the nearby air compressors at Keele services.
John Catling, WheelRight's chief executive, said: “The Highways Agency have identified tyre pressure under-inflation as a major cause of accidents on the UK's roads. We are delighted to be partnering with them to deliver automatic, free tyre pressure checks for commercial and private drivers at Keele.
“The simplicity, ease, convenience and speed of the system will encourage drivers to check their tyre pressure's more regularly, without the need to get out of the vehicle.
“We believe this innovation could dramatically change driver behaviours - leading to far more frequent checking of tyre pressures. This simple, yet vital change in culture could have a massive impact on road safety, the cost of motoring and our environment too. Better tyre management will save lives, reduce petrol consumption and the need to replace tyres so often.”