Welcome to the fourth installment of Safety in Motion, the blog series that delves into critical aspects of tire management for the trucking industry, highlighting solutions that enhance safety and operational efficiency. This post explores the value of optimizing tire inflation set points according to usage and environmental conditions. Recent innovations allow fleets to adjust tire pressure set points remotely, ensuring optimal performance across varying applications, geographies, and route conditions.
The Challenge of Tire Pressure Variability
The complexities of modern trucking operations present significant challenges in monitoring and maintaining optimal tire pressure. Fleets frequently traverse diverse climatic conditions, which influence tire pressure, particularly during the Fall and Spring months. Furthermore, the variability of application loads calls for tailored pressure settings to ensure safe and efficient tire performance. Introducing new tires and retreads into the fleet adds another layer of complexity, as these may be optimized for different pressure parameters compared to the worn tires.
The Implications of Inaction
Neglecting to adjust tire pressure in accordance with operational needs can have far-reaching consequences. Irregular tire wear accelerates the need for costly replacements and also increases the likelihood of premature tire failure. In addition, elevated rolling resistance, driven by improper inflation, results in heightened fuel consumption and excess emissions. Most critically, tires that are improperly inflated can compromise vehicle handling and braking capability, introducing considerable safety risks.
Strategic Applications Across Fleets
A variety of fleets understand these issues and are optimizing their tires using setpoint management.
A leading leasing fleet, for instance, utilizes dynamic set point adjustment to accommodate shifting customer needs — whether adjusting for load type, haul length, or maintenance schedules.
A large cross-border Canadian fleet exemplifies seasonal adaptation, reducing tire pressures during winter months to enhance traction and increasing them in summer for improved fuel efficiency.
Some over-the-road fleets further demonstrate the utility of set point management when transitioning between tire providers, adjusting set points to align with manufacturer recommendations.
Similarly, a medium-duty regional fleet, operating in disparate environments, from urban last-mile applications to vocational routes, fine-tunes tire pressures to reflect specific the needs of each asset.
Fleets with diverse business units—such as truckload, heavy haul, and regional operations—can tailor set points to their distinct operational needs.
The Solution: Dynamic Tire Pressure Control
Aperia’s Halo Connect i3™ platform, with its Dynamic Set Point Adjustment capability, directly addresses these operational challenges. This system empowers fleets to remotely adjust tire pressures over the air through a centralized online portal or mobile app, responding in real time to variables such as application load, route conditions, and environmental factors. Additionally, the two-way communication feature offers diagnostic capabilities, ensuring that the Automated Tire Inflation System (ATIS) is functioning at peak efficiency and identifying potential tire-related issues before they escalate. Halo Tire Management alerts can likewise be customized and adjusted according to the new set points.
Conclusion: Adaptive Efficiency as a Competitive Advantage
In an industry defined by constant variability, adaptability is a competitive advantage. The ability to dynamically adjust tire pressures offers fleets a tangible edge—enhancing fuel economy, extending tire life, reducing emissions, and, most importantly, fortifying safety. With Aperia’s Halo Connect i3™, fleets are not merely reacting to operational challenges—they are proactively optimizing their performance in real time.
Stay engaged with the Safety in Motion series as we continue to explore cutting-edge safety strategies for the modern trucking industry.
