Device reads tire pressure as vehicles drive over it

Crain News Service report

BIRMINGHAM, United Kingdom (Jan. 7, 2014) — A British company has developed a device that can read the tire pressure of vehicles as they pass over it.

According to a BBC report, the device—developed by WheelRight in conjunction with computer scientists from Birmingham's Aston University—is embedded in the road.

As vehicles pass over it, pressure sensors collect data, which is immediately processed to calculate the tire pressure of the car, truck or bus, the report said.

The device is being tested at a Swindon bus depot, where buses pass over the machine at the end of every day's service. If a tire's pressure is low a message is automatically sent and the tire is then manually inflated to the correct pressure.

One industry organization said the idea could have merit.

"Good maintenance standards are essential to the safe and efficient operation of heavy goods vehicles," said Kate Gibbs, spokeswoman for the UK's Road Haulage Association.

"Certainly, in principle, we consider the 'drive-over' system to be a good idea," she said. "However, we would want to see firm evidence of its benefits and safety advantages before giving it the 'green light'."

This report appeared on the website of European Rubber Journal, a UK-based sister publication of Tire Business.