IRD’s tireless efforts on road safety and tolling

First published at ITS World Congress - October 21, 2019

Rish Malhotra of IRD

Since unveiling its VectorSense tyre sensor technology at the ITS World Congress several years ago, International Road Dynamics (IRD) has developed practical systems that use its sensors to improve vehicle classification and tyre safety, highlighted on the company’s booth here in Singapore will see.

IRD’s AACT (Advanced Axle Classification for Toll) is a new system that uses VectorSense tyre sensors to provide more accurate single/dual tyre classification in toll systems. It uses the tyre footprint information from the VectorSense sensors to provide detailed, real-time axle information that enables more accurate class information and verification of automatic vehicle classification (AVC). TACS is an advanced screening technology that helps agencies identify vehicles with potentially dangerous tyre anomalies before accidents occur.

As IRD points out, tyre anomalies can result in vehicle imbalance, reduced manoeuvrability, improper load distribution, reduced braking performance, poor fuel economy, and reduced tyre life.

Damaged tyres lead to breakdowns, expensive roadside repairs and increased costs due to freight being delayed.

Pavement damage can also result from increased loads on tyres when adjacent tyres are flat or mismatched in size.

The federal and provincial governments in the Netherlands have installed IRD’s TACS system to monitor tyres at highway speeds, while several enforcement agencies in the US have integrated TACS into their commercial vehicle e-screening systems. IRD says these agencies have found TACS to be an effective method of identifying vehicles with tyre problems that are sufficiently serious to place vehicles out of service.

Booth 497