TireStamp Inc. unveiled TireVigil TPMS, the first tire pressure monitoring system that meets the new TPMS 2.0 standard for commercial TPMS products.
TireStamp has been building commercial TPMS products since 2003 and is now launching TireVigil TPMS built specifically for commercial fleet operations. TireVigil TPMS has been tested in numerous fleets in North America and Asia and has proven its ease of use and flexibility to operate in all types of fleets. In addition, it provides unheard of functionality and delivers substantial returns on investment.
TireVigil TPMS has been built to meet the TPMS 2.0 standard and incorporates wireless technologies that provide remote diagnostics for tires so that fleet personnel as well as drivers are aware of developing tire problems and can react appropriately depending upon their vehicles' location. It is the only TPMS product that not only identifies tire problems long before they become safety issues but also provides the service organization and drivers with specific actions to take in resolving these problems as they develop.
"We had four goals in designing the new TireVigil TPMS: Build a TPMS product that fits seamlessly with existing commercial truck tire maintenance practices; build a product that all fleets can afford; incorporate telematics technology into it to provide vehicle location anywhere, anytime to the service organization; and substantially reduce its installation time to less than 1 hour," said Peggy Fisher, President, TireStamp. "We have achieved all of these goals with the end result that TireVigil TPMS provides a wealth of features unavailable before without the need for fleets to source separate vehicle communications and tracking products or additional computer hardware and at a price competitive with TPMS systems that only alert the driver."
In addition to providing alerts for underinflation, overinflation, overheating, and differences in dual tire pressures, TireVigil TPMS also reminds fleets to retorque wheel nuts after tire changes. These alerts can not only prevent tire damage but will also prevent wheel-offs and tire fires resulting from frozen bearings and dragging brakes. Every alert reports the vehicle's last known location and provides vehicle mapping and tracking. This solution also provides reminders for PM scheduling and visibility on vehicle speed, idling, and ignition on/off status. It can also track the mileage a vehicle runs in each state which is essential in preparing fuel tax reports as well as records the mileage each tire runs underinflated or overheated. Alerts and reports are e-mailed to all fleet designated users including service organizations whether they are in-house or outsourced tire dealers.
"We talked to fleet managers to better understand their needs and what they really want from today's technology," Fisher said. "It was obvious that knowing where the vehicle is when there is a tire problem or at any other time was at the top of their lists. Knowing the exact location and where the closest tire service provider or other point of interest is can significantly reduce downtime."
But since TireVigil TPMS calculates cold inflation pressure, fleets and drivers are advised of developing tire problems many hours before other TPMS that report actual tire pressures can. This alone provides users with the time and opportunity they need to address tire problems long before vehicles get out on the road. It also prevents false alarms due to ambient temperature swings and advises technicians of the proper inflation adjustments to make in hot tires.
Servicing tires with TPMS is finally made easy with TireVigil TPMS. It eliminates the complexity of reprogramming vehicle electronics after a tire change with its technician-friendly Servicing App that records tire service work and changes sensor positions with a click of a mouse. The Service App can also be used to monitor the driver by tracking where a vehicle has been, its speed and when the ignition was turned on and off. The TireVigil TPMS in-cab display will log when the driver acknowledges tire alerts which is an important feature for fleets that hold the driver responsible for the safety of the vehicle and its tires.
But the tremendous strength of the TireVigil TPMS solution is in its cloud-based software that analyses all tire and vehicle data which can be integrated with fleet back-end FMS systems. This provides the fleet with visibility not only of the tires on one vehicle, but all the tires in its fleet. For example, TireVigil TPMS' Active Issues Report provides a work order each morning that technicians can use to address all the problem tires on vehicles at each company location before drivers arrive. Other reports enable fleet supervisors and managers to verify that tire work was done and performed correctly, obtain fleet tire pressure surveys and get an overview of vital fleet tire health statistics.
"Fleet managers can now get the visibility they need to take control of their tire programs, reduce their tire costs, increase their fleet's fuel economy, shrink their carbon footprints, and improve their CSA safety ratings all with less labor," said Fisher. "They can also track their vehicles without having to be tied to a specific navigation service provider. All of these savings result in an amazing return on investment."
