720004TreadReader Drive Over Tyre Measurement DeviceClosedGRD Development of PrototypeInnovate UKPoorly maintained and under-inflated tyres severely affect vehicle fuel efficiency. A recent European study of passenger cars estimates that each year 10% tyre under-inflation generates £2.4 billion in wasted fuel and 4.8 million tonnes excess CO2 emissions (1). This also means 12.2 million tyres are removed from service each year due to accelerated tyre wear. The UK accounts for approximately 10% of European consumption. In 2007 there were over 1,000 accidents resulting in 43 deaths on British roads and scores injured due to defective tyres (2). Moreover, a UK survey in January 2009, involving 60,000 vehicles found >7,000 vehicles (11%) with at least one illegal tyre (3). This amounts to >3.6 million vehicles on Britain’s roads with illegal tyres. In the commercial vehicle sector waste in fuel, tyres and CO2 emissions are due to poor tyre management, under-inflation, poor wheel alignment, worn suspension and aggressive driving behavior. UK surveys show wastage of >£150 million in fuel and >400 tonnes CO2 pa (4). However, as a tyre wears it becomes more fuel efficient. This is associated with a reduction by up to one third in rolling resistance (5, 6). Data for commercial vehicles suggest that tyres in a worn condition can improve vehicle fuel efficiency by up to 9% compared to new tyres (7). The fleet operator must therefore continuously monitor tyre wear and properly maintain tyres to generate maximum vehicle fuel efficiency. In the UK routine examination of commercial vehicle tyres is required by law comprising a daily driver check and six and 13 weekly workshop checks. The workshop checks are a visual inspection of the tyre wear condition and presence of damage, a tread depth measurement using a point depth gauge and a tyre pressure check. For passenger cars the only formal check of the tyre condition is during the annual MOT. Current methods to check tyre wear and pressure are therefore inadequate. Prospective clients indicate that a portable, tyre wear measurement device that is accurate and eliminates operator variation and error is desirable for workshop use. The hand held TreadReader scanner offers these benefits and has recently been launched commercially. However sites with a large number of vehicle movements, such as distribution centres, car dealerships and petrol station forecourts require an automated solution and a drive over version of TreadReader has been requested that includes a tyre pressure measurement capability. References (1) Bridgestone European tyre survey, Mar 2011 (2) RAC Foundation Press Release, 9th Apr 2009 (3) National Tyre Distributors Association / TyreSafe Press Release 24th Feb 2009 (4) Logistics Carbon Reduction Scheme 1st Annual Report, FTA, 2010 (5) Martini, M. E. 1983, American Chemical Society, Akron, Ohio, pp. 181–197. (6) Schuring, D. J. 1994. Tire Science and Technology, Vol. 22, No. 3, pp. 149–161. (7) Goodyear Commercial Tire Systems, Factors Affecting Truck Fuel Economy, 2008