NEW ORLEANS — A new survey commissioned by technology firm Anyline Inc. shows commercial fleet managers have a disparate approach to tire monitoring and management.
The survey results were presented at the Technology & Maintenance Council's 2024 Annual Meeting & Transportation Technology Exhibition held March 4-6 in New Orleans.
"The survey's insights reveal a complex picture. On the one hand, the commitment to tire health and safety among fleet managers is commendable. On the other, the apparent lack of digital integration and the significant portion of fleets uncertain about their inspection routines highlight critical areas for immediate action," Anyline Founder and CEO Lukas Kinigadner said.
"This is a wake-up call for the industry to leverage technology to not only close these gaps but also to enhance overall fleet efficiency and safety."
The surveys findings include:
- 70% of respondents conduct tire inspections at least weekly; 30% are uncertain about how often they conduct inspections or perform monthly or less. "This disparity underscores a significant area for improvement in regular maintenance checks," Anyline said.
- 82% of respondents use handheld tire guages — which are error prone and measure only one individual point on a tire, Anyline said — while 48% rely on visual inspections. Fleets use more accurate tire-measurement methods, such as drive-over gauges, laser readers and tire depth-scanning apps, less than 10% of time.
- 66% of fleets rely on manual data logging, a "significant time sink," Anyline noted, though 54% are working toward paperless processes. "This movement underscores an urgent industry call to reduce inefficiencies and embrace digital efficiencies in fleet management," Anyline said.
- A majority of respondents said they are knowledgeable about tire health, though only 18% integrate tread management into IT systems and 52% enter data manually into systems. "The industry's slow adoption of digital solutions hampers efficiency and accuracy in maintenance practices," Anyline said.
- 15% of fleets capture tire sidewall information digitally, which "starkly contrasts with the acknowledged benefits of predictive maintenance and reduced downtime," Anyline said.
- 74% of respondents adhere to performing required Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports (DVIR) though 39% are still using paper checklists.
"By delving into the intricacies of tire maintenance practices, Anyline aims to empower fleet managers with the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate the complexities of modern fleet management, ensuring safer, more efficient, and cost-effective operations," Kinigadner said.
The survey was conducted by Babcox Research Feb. 1-29 and engaged about 200 fleet managers and professionals across different industries, offering a comprehensive view of current practices and attitudes towards fleet maintenance and tire management.
Survey respondents came from a diverse range of professionals within the fleet management industry, Anyline said.
Founded in Vienna, Austria, in 2013 by Kinigadner and three partners, Anyline has developed and patented optical character recognition technology used in a variety of applications.
