| Tire pressure monitoring (TPM) is one of the more | | | | One of the crucial characteristics of any TPM system |
| recent technology developments that help fleets | | | | is visibility. Modern electronics can accurately measure |
| manage their tire programs more efficiently. If you | | | | pressures thousands of times per second. However, |
| are a relative newcomer to this technology you may | | | | without a good method for telling the user about |
| find yourself scratching your head as you try to sort | | | | pending tire problems, you are no closer to solving |
| through the various offerings on the market today. | | | | your problem than when you were armed with only |
| While TPM is a seemingly simple technology, there | | | | your slider gauge. Does the system require a display |
| are many systems available to choose from and each | | | | in the cab to indicate tire problems or can you see |
| system has feature sets that can be beneficial in the | | | | the issue directly on the wheel end? Will you be able |
| right applications. This article presents 7 areas for | | | | to detect issues when trailers or tractors are parked |
| consideration that may help you to determine which | | | | in the yard? Does the system give actual pressures |
| system is right for you. | | | | on a display or just a good/bad indication? Are low |
| 1. Ease of Installation | | | | tire alerts communicated only to the driver or |
| No matter how simple the salesman told you it was | | | | transmitted to the back office system for |
| to install, someone will have to get their hands dirty | | | | maintenance technicians or dispatch personnel? |
| and install the product. How many separate pieces will | | | | 5. Accuracy |
| you have to install in order to get the functionality | | | | Another important consideration for TPM systems is |
| you envisioned? Are there any wires to run or hook | | | | pressure accuracy. This is especially true when you |
| up? Is there any programming or configuration to be | | | | consider the temperature extremes seen in heavy |
| done for each system installed? Is any special training | | | | duty applications. What is the accuracy specification |
| required? | | | | for the system that you are considering? Is that |
| Understanding the time, complexity and labor required | | | | accuracy guaranteed across your operating |
| to install a TPM system can help in the decision | | | | temperature range? Is the system more accurate in |
| making process. | | | | some pressure ranges than others? |
| 2. Accessibility | | | | You cannot assume that all systems are created |
| One of the more subtle aspects of most TPM | | | | equal. Temperature compensation is an important |
| systems is gaining access to add air to the tires, | | | | feature for maintaining pressure accuracy in your |
| especially that inner tire on a dual set. Does the | | | | operating environment. |
| system that you are considering make your job | | | | 6. Information |
| easier or more difficult when adding air to tires? | | | | Since you are considering a system to measure tire |
| The right system for your application should make | | | | pressures, what are you going to do with the |
| your job easier, not more difficult, when it comes to | | | | information collected from the system? Is the |
| adding air to your tires. | | | | information going to be used by the drivers, |
| 3. Durability | | | | maintenance technicians, management team or |
| The majority of the TPM offerings on the market | | | | others within your business? Do you want to see the |
| today appear to be well designed and rugged enough | | | | status for a tire right at the wheel end, in the cab, at |
| for over-the-road applications. However, some | | | | the back office or all of the above? What does the |
| off-road applications such as refuse, construction and | | | | system you are evaluating provide? Does that match |
| oil field service applications experience more off road | | | | the needs of your business? |
| time than others. Has the system that you are | | | | 7. Extensibility |
| considering been used successfully in your line of | | | | Consider that TPM may not be your only need, and |
| work before? How long is the system expected to | | | | likewise, may not be the only information offered by |
| last? How much on-going maintenance or service is | | | | the vendors you are considering. What other |
| required? If the system has batteries, how long are | | | | information or product extensions does the company |
| they expected to last? Are they replaceable or | | | | offer? Can you get more for your money in the |
| non-serviceable? Has the product undergone shock | | | | future by selecting a vendor that offers additional |
| and vibration testing? | | | | products or functionality that will leverage your |
| Understanding the long term maintenance | | | | original hardware investment? What additional |
| requirements such as battery replacement or any | | | | components are available for the system? Can the |
| serviceable aspects of the system are helpful in the | | | | information be automatically collected for you without |
| decision making process. | | | | requiring a technician's time to check tires? |
| 4. Visibility | | | | |