RSF 145: Installation of Tire Pressure Detection Systems

The objective of this project is to increase the number of tire-related violations and out-of-service (OOS) violations identified through inspections by 50% where TACS is installed. Kentucky will analyze inspection data for a full year prior to installation at each location and compare to inspection data a full year after installation. Kentucky believes this objective to be achievable based upon the early findings of two TPDS already installed at weigh station facilities. The goal of this project is to further deploy the Tire Pressure Detection System (TPDS) at Kentucky’s fixed weigh stations. These systems identify vehicles which are unsafe due to missing or underinflated tires. Mismatched, under-inflated and missing tires result in vehicle imbalance, improper load distribution, degraded braking performance and other potential safety issues. That is why it is particularly important to ensure that tires are in good condition by providing a high level of compliance monitoring. In-road sensors, roadside electronics, and a graphical user interface are used to screen commercial vehicles for missing or underinflated tires and present information to enforcement. These screening systems are a very effective tool for commercial vehicle enforcement officers. This project will have a direct impact on highway safety by removing unsafe trucks from the highway.