Telematic TPMS system for truck fleet operators

Verilocation and Continental Tyres join forces to offer new real-time tyre pressure monitoring system

VERILOCATION have joined forces with Continental Tyres to integrate Continental’s tyre pressure and temperature monitoring system (TPMS), ContiPressureCheck, into their telematics system, in order to reduce tyre breakdowns and save fleet operators fuel and extend tyre life.

ContiPressureCheck from Continental Tyres consists of sensors mounted inside the tyres which wirelessly send tyre pressure and temperature information to the central receiver.

Verilocation have now linked ContiPressureCheck to their onboard GPS tracking device which sends this information to Verilocation’s web-based tracking account in real time. This new system allows tyre pressure information to be fed directly into a fleet’s own telematics system for the first time.

When pressure loss is identified in the tyre, a warning is sent to a nominated email address, while low and medium alerts also warn the driver via the Verilocation Driver Dashboard app, allowing him to find a safe place to pull over.

Verilocation and Continental Tyres stress that if tyre punctures are caught early enough, corrective action can be taken, preventing costly blowouts and saving vehicle downtime.
The Verilocation system also generates reports which fleet managers can use to ensure that tyre pressures are kept at optimum levels, which helps save on fuel and ensures that tyres last longer.

Bristol-based Paul Smart Transport, who have the product on trial, run a fleet of 30 bulk tippers involved in the distribution of aggregates, asphalt and animal feeds/agricultural products throughout the UK.

Managing director Paul Smart, who already uses Verilocation’s tracking and telematics system and Driver ID, has high expectations about being able to incorporate tyre pressure monitoring into this information suite and its impact on operation costs.

‘Being able to monitor tyre pressures and temperatures in real time will save us money – the primary saving is fuel and the secondary saving is the tyre life itself,’ he said. ‘As an example, we had two tyre blowouts – on different vehicles – about 12 months ago. These two incidents ended up costing us about £3,000.’

Mr Smart is using a Scania G410 eight-wheeler for the trial and says that if the system is successful he will put it on every vehicle and trailer in his fleet.

‘We need to evaluate the TPMS for a six-month period. If a tyre incurs a puncture causing the tyre to deflate, the driver and our transport office will be notified immediately, allowing us to action a repair before the tyre fails completely.’

Mr Smart is confident that the trial will prove a success following two ContiPressureCheck demonstrations he witnessed at last year’s CV Show and at the Hannover Motor Show. ‘I’m sure the system will pay for itself in a short period of time,’ he said.

Tracey Hyem, Continental Tyres’ commercial marketing manager, said: ‘Continental Tyres are delighted to join forces with Verilocation, taking our ContiPressureCheck System to the next level with telematics integration and the ability to proactively communicate tyre pressure warnings back to the fleet base.

‘This partnership is a great demonstration of our business looking to enhance the system and support fleet managers and drivers in identifying tyre-related concerns in advance.’

Verilocation’s managing director, Andrew Overton, believes the new partnership with Continental has led to a much-needed product that will allow fleets to boost efficiency and save fuel.

He said: ‘We’re excited about this new partnership which brings together two market leaders. Our aim is to help operators save on expensive tyre repair bills and costly vehicle downtime by providing them with a system to monitor their fleet’s tyres in real time, allowing them to spot a potential blowout before it occurs.’