Bridgestone readying Tirematics for continuous monitoring

A TPMS-based monitoring service has been offered as part of Bridgestone’s fleet service programme since 2013. This utilises a ‘sensors and gate’ system that transmits tyre pressure data from the valves on each tyre to the Bridgestone fleet data server every time the vehicle passes through a gate installed at the customer’s site. More than 100,000 tyres are currently monitored through the Bridgestone server, with over 25,000 tyres measured daily. Tyre pressure and temperature for each tyre is evaluated in real-time, and if it falls outside the pre-defined limits an email is automatically generated and sent to the fleet and service provider. Bridgestone has now begun trialling an expansion of this existing Tirematics connected tyre solution that, in addition to tyre pressure and temperature information, also provides relevant vehicle data to the server on a continuous basis, rather than only when a vehicle checks in through the gate. The tyre maker shared details of this latest development at the IAA Commercial Vehicles show in Germany.

“In addition to the ongoing benefit of reduced tyre maintenance and breakdown costs, Bridgestone is testing advanced applications,” comments Neil Purves, senior manager solution business systems at Bridgestone Europe. “Combined with vehicle data, these can bring enhanced support to the fleet, allow optimal tyre selection for a particular fleet operation and enable us to provide targeted service leading to increased vehicle uptime.”

A number of fleets are participating in trials using the evolved Tirematics solution. Some truck fleets have already reported reductions of 75 per cent in tyre-related roadside breakdowns, while the improvement in tyre inflation levels achieved across their fleets may improve fuel consumption by around 0.5 per cent. Further, significant savings also appear to be realisable through reduced maintenance costs – monitoring tyre information remotely eliminates the need to manually check pressure. More efficient maintenance will in turn allow tyres to be used for longer and more safely, reducing the number of tyres discarded prematurely and the total number purchased.