70% of US fleets run weekly tyre inspections, but they lack digital integration

Anyline published the results of its recent US fleet survey at the Technology & Maintenance Council’s 2024 Annual Meeting & Transportation Technology Exhibition. The research found that the US fleet sector had a “mixed approach to ensuring vehicle safety and operational efficiency.”

“The survey’s insights reveal a complex picture. On the one hand, the commitment to tyre 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,” said Lukas Kinigadner, CEO and founder at Anyline. “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.”

70 per cent of fleets conduct tyre inspections at least weekly

Specifically, while 70 per cent of fleets conduct tyre inspections at least weekly, showcasing a strong commitment to safety, a concerning 30 per cent of respondents are uncertain about their inspection frequency or perform them only monthly or less often. This disparity underscores a significant area for improvement in regular maintenance checks.

And what’s more the method of inspection is somewhat subjective. 82 per cent of respondents use handheld tyre gauges, which only measure one individual point on a tyre while 48 per cent rely on visual inspections, which are inherently subjective. More accurate tyre tread measurement methods like drive over gauges, laser readers and tyre tread depth scanning via mobile phones are used less than 10 per cent of the time.

66 per cent of fleets rely on manual data logging, which consumes time. Yet, a trendtowards digital adoption is evident, with 54 per cent working towards paperless processes in their operations.

Despite a majority considering themselves knowledgeable about tyre health, the survey reveals a critical gap: only 18 per cent integrate tread information into IT systems. But 52 per cent manually enter data into their systems.

The findings further highlight a possible reluctance to embrace technology, with a mere 15 per cent capturing tyre sidewall information digitally. And, although 74 per cent adhere to performing required Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports (DVIR), the methods employed—39 per cent still using paper checklists—indicate a lag in adopting digital processes.

“By delving into the intricacies of tyre 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,” concluded Kinigadner, Anyline.

The survey was conducted by Babcox Research between February 1 and February 29, and engaged ~200 fleet managers and professionals across various industries. The majority of respondents represented businesses in Contract/Common Carrier/General Freight (27%), with others hailing from various sectors (24%), and a smaller portion from Retail/Wholesale/Motor Vehicles/Drive/Tow (9%). The predominant job titles among participants were Owners, CEOs, and Presidents (27%), Fleet Managers (17%), and General/Operational Managers (15%), and Maintenance/Service Managers (15%). In terms of fleet size, responses were mostly from those managing small to medium fleets, with 21 per cent having one to four vehicles, 18 per cent overseeing 10 to 24 vehicles, and 16 per cent with five to nine vehicles.

Strong growth

In February, Anyline reported 40 per cent annually recurring revenue (ARR) growth in 2023 with a net dollar retention rate of 125 per cent. According to the company, Anyline’s growth was achieved due to “robust market penetration across multiple geographic regions – mostly balanced across the United States, Europe and Asia Pacific”.

Major milestones included, celebration of the company’s 10-year anniversary, and delivery Tire Tread Scanner technology on mobile devices for passenger and commercial tyres. Meanwhile, Anyline also launched a one-shot Tire Sidewall Scanner and secured $2.87 million research and development funding over three years for its Closed Loop Training project that improves the accuracy of AI-based data capture.

Anyline also opened an office in India, which means the firm now has three offices covering APAC, EU and the USA.