Technology advances changes role of tires in fleet operations

Technology advances are changing the role of tires in fleet operations and how the tire industry is improving the eco-friendliness of its products, says a report from Guidehouse Insights. As the only connection to the road surface, tires are a critical component of on-road vehicles but have an unfair perception as a simple maintenance item. According to Guidehouse Insights, this stands to change as improving technology and increased scrutiny of environmental impacts bring greater attention to tires.

"Sensors with greater fidelity and lower costs allow tires to play a larger role in advanced vehicle diagnostics and integrate with advanced driver assistance systems," says Michael Austin, senior research analyst with Guidehouse Insights. "This enables drivers and fleets to optimize their costs related to tires, safety, and efficiency and provides further insights into their operations. At the same time, tire manufacturers continue to develop tires made from increasing levels of sustainable materials, and greater focus on tire emissions has led to new regulations."