Pressure!
World-first tyre pressure monitoring system is piloted at Keele Services by the Highways Agency
A revolutionary 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) this spring.
The drive-over instrument, launched by UK firm WheelRight, takes the effort out of the tiresome process of tyre pressure checks and could bring huge safety benefits too.
The pilot, which is being organised in partnership with the Highways Agency and Welcome Break services, will provide a unique insight into the state of the nation’s tyres, while providing car and HGV drivers with a quick and easy way of checking their vehicles’ tyres.
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 be the nudge drivers need to undertake potentially life-saving checks more often.
Alongside the obvious safety issues, poor inflation can also drain drivers’ wallets. Fuel costs have been shown to increase by up to 5% if tyres are just 20% below their recommended pressure. and tyres wear out 25% faster compared to their properly inflated counterparts.
Two WheelRight systems will be installed at Keele, one in the HGV area and another for private motorists.
A team from WheelRight and the Highways Agency will be available to answer driver’s questions regarding the importance of maintaining correct tyre pressures and how to use the system.
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: “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.”
