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3rd Conference “MAINTENANCE 2014“
Zenica, B&H, June 11 – 13, 2014
INTRODUCTION AND APPLICATION OF TIRE PRESSURE
MONITORING SYSTEM
Ibrahim Mustafic, BSc.
IPI – Institute for economic engineering,
Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Fuad Klisura, MSc.
IPI – Institute for economic engineering,
Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Assistant Professor Dr. Sabahudin Jasarevic,
Faculty of Mechanical Engineering,
University of Zenica,
Bosnia and Herzegovina
ABSTRACT
This paper shows the potential economic and social impact of the wider application of the system for
controlling the pressure in the tires. It is shown that, in a very simple manner, large savings in service
of vehicles (truck and trailer) can be achieved, fuel consumption and CO2 emissions reduced, and
number of traffic accidents avoided. The results of this study show that the introduction of the constant
supervision of the pressure in the tires (TPMS system) should be supported for a large number of light
commercial vehicles and heavy transport vehicles.
Key words: tire pressure monitoring system, regulation, general vehicle safety
1. INTRODUCTION
Exploitation of vehicles in general (trucks and trailers) showed that the working condition of
tires, besides subjective approach of the driver, should be monitored objectively by
controlling the air pressure inside the tire.
The importance of that approach is that the tire is sole part of the vehicle that is in constant
contact with the surface, and those are the only points of contact between the vehicle and the
road. Accordingly, the states in which they are located significantly affects the traffic security,
and they can be the cause of accidents with fatal consequences, they can increase fuel
consumption and thus higher exhaust emissions. In addition, defective tires reduce vehicle
performance, reduce braking and acceleration efficiency and reduce the efficiency of
management and driving comfort.
Therefore, considerable attention directed towards the control and management of the
correctness of these systems by monitoring tire pressure control was recently raised. In this
context, an important element of the control system and controlling the tire pressure levels, is
the obligation of installing TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems). During 2007 the
Japanese tire manufacturer Bridgestone conducted extensive research in 19 EU countries.
Results showed that as many as 38% cars used tires inappropriately inflated. On this occasion,
they examined 38867 passenger cars, and they found that every eighth participant in traffic
was driving on tires that were prone to damage due to low pressure and even posed a security
risk. The low tire pressure and premature damage of approximately 40 million tires lead to
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costs of approximately 3.6 billion €. In addition, it caused greater fuel consumption of
approximately 5.3 billion liters.
The cost of additional fuel reaches approximately 7 billion € and further pollution of the
environment with 12.3 million tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) or additional 4.6 g/km of CO2 for
each passenger car in Europe.
All these were legitimate reasons for the legal regulation of this area and the introduction of
mandatory installation of TPMS, primarily in passenger vehicles and M1 and N1 vehicles up
to 3.5 tones.
2. STATUS OF EU LEGISLATION
In the EU, the legal basis of the TPMS was announced as part of the provisions adopted by
the European Parliament beginning of 2009 and refers to the general vehicle safety; motor
vehicles under the designation COM (2008) 316 - 2007/0243 (COD). Subsequently adopted
Regulation (EC) No. 661/2009 refers to the requirements for type-approval for the general
safety of motor vehicles, their trailers and systems, components and separate technical units
intended for them. This Regulation is an addition to introducing TPMS for M1 category
vehicles, which introduced a series of reliefs when it comes to the process of type approval of
vehicles in general, with early application of 01.11.2011.
Approval of regulation ECE R-64 in 2010 announced the mandatory possession of TPMS for
new type-approved vehicles M1 and N1 categories from 01.11.2012 and for all newly
registered vehicles since 11.01.2014.
All above mentioned legislation predicted the obligatory use of tires with low rolling
resistance, which aims to achieve savings in fuel consumption and hence lower CO2
emissions. These tires also need to reduce emissions and noise.
In order to achieve all of this, a very strict classification of tires that can be used according to
the type of vehicle (M1-M3, N1-N3, O1-O4) or to the maximum permitted weight of the
vehicle was introduced.
Numerous studies have shown that significant losses occur but with minor differences in the
nominal pressures for a particular tire (Table 1).
Table 1. Some effects of insufficient pressure in the tires of a motor vehicle
[
2
]
Criterion Effects of insufficient levels of pressure in the tire
Tire wear ↓ 20% lower pressure reduces the service life of tires by 30%
Rolling resistance ↓ 0.5 bar lower pressure increases the force of rolling resistance by 15%
Rolling noise ↓ Deviation of at least one of the normal pressure increases noise by 66%
Fuel consumption ↓ 0.5 bar lower pressure increases fuel consumption by 2-5%
Stability when
changing vehicle
trajectories
↓ 0.5 bar lower pressure increases the risk of side-slipping, transmission delay
transmission (acceleration, braking), the effect of yield control (delay rotation)
The provisions of the TPMS are still not mandatory for heavy-duty vehicles but given its high
efficiency in practice, it will probably happen.
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3. APPLICATION OF TPMS
Abovementioned findings were confirmed by the "Study on tire pressure monitoring systems
as a means to reduce light-commercial and heavy-duty vehicles fuel consumption and CO2
emissions", released in July 2013.
This study was conducted by TNO Automotive, Netherlands and TU Graz, Austria, in order
to show the impact of TPMS use and the reduction of fuel consumption and hence lower CO2
emissions on light-commercial vehicles and heavy-duty vehicles.
Within that study, several approaches to the introduction of TPMS were treated:
1. Impact of TPMS on fuel efficiency and CO2 reduction
2. The current state of the TPMS system manufacturing
3. Current and planned representation of TPMS on the market within the light-
commercial vehicles and heavy-duty vehicles
4. Costs of TPMS for light commercial vehicles and heavy-duty vehicles
5. Potential safety benefits of TPMS for light-commercial vehicles and heavy-duty
vehicles
6. Profitability of TPMS for light commercial vehicles and heavy-duty vehicles
7. Options or reasons for the introduction of obligatory TPMS systems
Some details about each approach are presented in the following text.
3.1. Impact of TPMS on fuel efficiency and CO2 reduction
This research has shown that wider application of TPMS can reduce fuel consumption and
thereby reduce emissions of carbon dioxide in the light-commercial vehicles and heavy-duty
vehicles for around 0.2% to 0.3%. Results rely on many categories of vehicles and the
observed profile exhaust emissions. The greatest reduction in CO2 emissions can be achieved
with N2 and N3 vehicles, which drive long distances. TPMS has the least impact when used
in city buses.
3.2. The current state of the TPMS system manufacturing
In the practice, two systems for controlling the pressure in the tires, that work in two different
ways, are used:
1. Direct control and
2. Indirect control.
The tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) informs the driver about the condition of
pressure and temperature of tires in real time, whether the vehicle is in motion or at rest.
In general, the direct system (Figure 1) consists of sensors (Figure 2) with radio frequency
transmitters, fixed at each point and the receiver on the dashboard of the vehicle. It gives the
information and warning of a potential problem in the tires to the driver. The system lifetime
is directly related to the battery life (currently 3-10 years). Price of direct TPMS system is
several times higher than the cost of the indirect system.
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Figure 1. Elements of direct TPMS system
Figure 2. Sensor of direct TPMS system
The indirect TPMS system favoured by some car manufacturers, which is supported by
international organizations of automobile constructors (OICA), is a cheaper option. The
indirect system measures the number of revolutions of the tire at one point and compares the
rotation speed of speed of other wheels. Software performs an analysis of the vibration
characteristics using data from the ABS sensors within each wheel (it is essential to have ABS
sensor at each wheel). The onboard computer analyzes the data and determines whether a
change in diameter of the tire occurred, and software interprets it as a loss of pressure in the
tire. Regardless of the number of indirect TPMS solutions, there is still significant delay until
the information reaches the driver (20 to 60 minutes), which means that in case of a sudden
tire pressure drop, it would not be detected and an accident would not have been prevented.
Another important difference between these two systems is that the indirect TPMS system
requires driver system calibration for tire pressure adjusting or tire replacement, in order to
make the system work properly. This operation depends on the accuracy of the device used to
measure the pressure and the conditions in which it is done (tires should be cold). Because the
drivers rarely measure the pressure in the tire, the entire process is subject to errors. This is a
substantial drawback of this system because it can lead the driver into a sense of false security
while driving with defective tires, because the system reports that the tires are properly
inflated.
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3.3. Current and planned representation of TPMS on the market within the light
commercial vehicles and heavy-duty vehicles
Suppliers of TPMS equipment were consulted in order to gain insight into the current market
representation of TPMS in light-commercial vehicles and heavy-duty vehicles, as well as
expected trends in future market penetration in the event that fail stimulating policy measures
or commitments for the application of TPMS systems.
The share of light-commercial vehicles and heavy-duty vehicles currently equipped with
TPMS system is only 1% in M2 and N1 vehicles, and up to about 2.5% for N3 vehicles. Most
of the system is directly installed by the vehicle manufacturer (OEM). Replacement systems
occupy at least 10% and perhaps 40% of the current market penetration (these are the default
data due to the limited amount of available information).
3.4. Costs of TPMS for light commercial vehicles and heavy-duty vehicles
Through a detailed questionnaire given to TPMS suppliers and other interested parties, they
were requested to provide their cost estimates for the TPMS for light-commercial vehicles
and for heavy-duty vehicles. Based on their response, taking into account the information
available at the expense of new parts for TPMS and typical configurations of vehicles, we
estimated costs of TPMS for different light-commercial vehicles and heavy-duty vehicles.
Costs were estimated for the original equipment and replacement equipment, for the cases in
which both truck/tractor and trailer were equipped with TPMS and for the cases where just a
truck/tractor was equipped with TPMS.
3.5. Potential safety benefits of TPMS for light-commercial vehicles and heavy-duty
vehicles
This research showed that tire pressure is related to almost 20% of accidents with heavy-duty
vehicles. In accidents involving death or serious injuries caused by a truck/tractor driver
proportion ranges from 7.5 to 10%. The introduction of TPMS should reduce the number of
accidents caused by the speed and the poor condition of tires. Indicative estimate of the safety
benefits introduced by TPMS system, shows benefits both in terms of reducing accidents and
in terms of avoided cost.
It is estimated that properly maintained air pressure in the tires can reduce the number of
accidents, caused by the speed and poor condition of the tires, between 4% and 20%, and the
total number of accidents by 0.8% to 4%. The widespread use of TPMS systems in EU can
reduce social costs for about 11-58 million € per year and consequently avoid mortality in
individual traffic accidents with heavy-duty vehicles.
3.6. Profitability of TPMS for light commercial vehicles and heavy-duty vehicles
A cost-benefit analysis has been carried out from a social perspective as well as from end-user
perspective. In the cost-benefit analysis from the social perspective the following costs and
cost savings were taken into account:
- TPMS costs:
o additional investment costs for TPMS (price excluding applicable taxes),
- Changes in usage costs:
o fuel cost savings (based on fuel price excluding applicable taxes),
o costs / savings associated with a change in the amount of maintenance:
− extended lifetime of tires,
− optimized inflation frequency,
o cost savings associated with less service disruptions due to reduced roadside tire
breakdown
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o cost savings associated with a reduction of external costs:
− reduced amount of accidents (fatalities, injuries, congestion),
− reduced amount of pollutant emissions,
A social discount rate of 4% was used.
In the cost-benefit analysis from the end-user perspective, the following costs and cost
savings were taken into account:
- TPMS costs:
o additional investment costs for TPMS (price including applicable taxes),
- Changes in usage costs:
o fuel cost savings (based on fuel price including applicable taxes),
o costs / savings associated with a change in the amount of maintenance:
− extended lifetime of tyres,
− optimized inflation frequency,
o cost savings associated with less service disruptions due to reduced roadside tire
breakdown.
An end user discount rate of 8% is used.
3.7. Options or reasons for the introduction of an obligation to hold the TPMS system
Taking into account all considered impacts on operational and external costs, OEM-fitted
TPMS is cost-effective for all considered light-commercial vehicle and heavy-duty vehicle
applications. Nevertheless, suppliers expect that autonomous adoption of TPMS will be slow
and that market shares will remain small in the coming years. This may be a motivation for
implementing policy measures to promote the uptake of TPMS. Possible policy measures, that
could be considered, can be grouped into five policy categories:
Baseline solution
o Do nothing and allow the market to take the initiative.
Stimulation measures - information
o TPMS performance standard,
o Labelling,
− Presence of TPMS visible in tire labelling scheme,
− In the case of introduction of an heavy-duty vehicle CO2 labelling, the effect of
TPMS influences the vehicle’s CO2 score or it could be made explicit in the label,
− Information campaigns to better disseminate insights in end-user benefits to dealers
and/or fleet managers.
Stimulation measures - financial
o Dedicated fiscal incentives or subsidies (generally at Member State level),
− Purchase incentive aimed at end users / fleet managers,
− Incentives aimed at vehicle manufacturers or tire manufacturers,
o Broader economic instruments promoting fuel saving and CO2 reduction,
− E.g. CO2 tax on fuels or inclusion of heavy-duty vehicle in the EU-ETS.
Voluntary agreements with sector
o TPMS-specific voluntary agreement with OEMs and/or the transport sector,
− Stakeholders may agree to implement one or more of the above-mentioned
information-related stimulation measures,
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− Stakeholders may agree to achieve certain levels of TPMS penetration in targets
years,
o Broader / generic voluntary agreement with OEMs and/or the transport sector,
− Stakeholders may agree to achieve a certain CO2 emission reduction in target years,
with increased use of TPMS as one of the reduction measures.
Regulation (mandatory fitment)
o Regulation for mandatory fitment,
− Regulation may be aimed at vehicle OEMs or tyre manufacturers,
− TPMS performance standard necessary to define minimum requirements for
operation, malfunction, warning and pressure range,
o Classify TPMS as "eco-innovation" in a possible future CO2 regulation for heavy-duty
vehicles.
The cost of these systems depends on the distributors of original TPMS equipment and it
ranges in average € 220, plus the cost of shipping and installation.
Current worldwide manufacturers of TPMS system are listed in table 2.
Table 2. Worldwide manufacturers of TPMS systems
Direct TPMS Indirect TPMS
Group Battery-powered Battery-free
Sensor position On valve / In tire On valve
Supplier
Schrader P-eye Stack SRI/DunlopTECH
Bridgestone VisiTyre NIRA Dynamics
Pirelli
Wabco
Continental
Figure 3. Representation of TPMS manufacturers by the number of sold passenger cars in 2010
[
3
]
4. CONCLUSION
The constant progress of human civilization aspires to greater efficiency in all aspects of life.
Therefore, the goal is to constantly find ways to increase the efficiency of operation of the
vehicle (motor and trailer), no matter how small they seem at first glance. To reduce fuel
consumption and thereby reduce CO2 emissions into the atmosphere, one important factor is
maintaining the proper tire pressure at the vehicle. Currently, the widest application of the
system is direct TPMS.
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General price of TPMS equipment is installed on the vehicle has proven multiple benefits for
both the owner of the vehicle, and for the wider community.
5. REFERENCE
[1] Regulation and tyre pressure monitoring system, Berković M., Mustafić I., STRUČNI BILTEN-
IPI, No 11, 2010., str. 49-55
[2] Type approval requirements for the general safety of motor vehicles (IP/A/IMCO/IC/2008-112),
2008.
[3] TNO 2013 R10986 - final report; Study on Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) as a
means to reduce Light-Commercial and Heavy-Duty Vehicles fuel consumption and CO2
emissions
[4] Wu, Liji, Xiangmin Zhang, Xiao Yu, Xuyang Ding, and Chaojun Chi. "A Battery-less Tire
Pressure Monitoring System." In Connected Vehicles and Expo (ICCVE), 2012 International
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[5] Ishtiaq Roufa, Rob Millerb, Hossen Mustafaa, Sangho Ohb Travis Taylora, Wenyuan Xua,
Marco Gruteserb, Wade Trappeb, and Ivan Seskarb. "Security and privacy vulnerabilities of in-
car wireless networks: A tire pressure monitoring system case study." In 19th USENIX Security
Symposium, Washington DC, pp. 11-13. 2010.
[6] Shao, Mingsheng, and Weixia Guo. "Tire pressure monitoring system." In Mechanic
Automation and Control Engineering (MACE), 2011 Second International Conference on, pp.
1840-1842. IEEE, 2011.
[7] Velupillai, Sankaranarayanan, and L. Guvenc. "Tire pressure monitoring [applications of
control]." Control Systems, IEEE 27, no. 6 (2007): 22-25.
[8] Löhndorf, M., T. Kvisterøy, E. Westby, and E. Halvorsen. "Evaluation of energy harvesting
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