The "Smart Tire" has long held out the promise of reduced expenditures for tire management -- the third biggest cost for a fleet owner. Tires with built-in chips have been the tire of the future since it became possible to
put a sensor on a sliver of silicone and shrink it to a size that could be incorporated into a tire/wheel combination.
But smart tires always seemed destined to be the tires of the future. Fleets have been adamant they are not willing to pay much for the technology -- the figure oft bandied about is between $7 and $10 per tire. Even at this low threshold, the investment for any medium to large fleet is enormous when the number of tires is factored in.
Currently, there is considerable interest in Europe in the 40-series ultra-low profile tire for 4x2 tractors, like the Michelin X-One and Bridgestone Greatec. However, concerns about the tires' ability to stay on the rim in the case of a flat is dictating a run-flat capability. And running flat on a special interior bladder demands that the driver be made aware of the condition via an in-cab display.
Bridgestone also struggles with the value equation. Its comment: While it would be nice to offer this technology as a value-added feature, the reality is that the research and development costs are significant. Likewise, the payoff for the fleet must be significant.
In the United States, it seemed for a while that the Transportation Recall Enhancement, Accountability and Documentation (TREAD) Act would drag the trucking industry kicking and screaming into automated tire pressure monitoring. That is one of the many requirements embedded in the far-reaching legislation. However, the requirement for heavy trucks to be equipped with on-dash tire-pressure display systems has been eliminated -- although that might prove a temporary stay. There is some indication that NHTSA is revisiting the issue of heavy-truck tire safety and roadside debris.For the full story, see the November issue of Heavy Duty Trucking.