Goodyear and SARTA team up to test smart sensors and prototype tires

Goodyear and the Stark Regional Transportation Authority (SARTA) have announced a partnership to test smart tire sensors and prototype tires on SARTA’s fleet of diesel and zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell-powered (HFC) buses.

(Image source: SARTA)

Using Goodyear's TPMS Plus on-board sensors, the smart tire sends real-time data on tire condition to the Goodyear SightLine Mobile Cloud and uses customizable algorithms to quickly analyze the data to provide actionable information about tire performance and potential vehicle issues, allowing operators to seek proactive maintenance. These tests will help Goodyear evaluate the performance of TPMS Plus connected to SightLine in daily traffic service, while helping SARTA reduce operating costs, reduce fleet downtime and increase environmental benefits.

In addition, Goodyear is testing prototype tires on SARTA's diesel and HFC buses to measure tread wear, rolling resistance and tire life. This test data will be used by Goodyear to design future electric vehicle tires.

“Goodyear scientists and engineers constantly seek opportunities to test new technologies multiple times to push their thinking and improve their ability to design future tires,” said Johnny McIntosh, director of integrated solutions and tire management at Goodyear. “Through this collaboration with SARTA, we will gain valuable data on how tires can impact the safety, sustainability and efficiency of public transportation.”

“SARTA is committed to developing and deploying sustainable transportation solutions,” said Kirt Conrad, CEO of SARTA. “We are excited and proud to provide a real-world testing environment for innovative technologies that will improve the MPG performance of our diesel buses and increase the range of our HFC vehicles.”

Both trials will be conducted on 10 SARTA vehicles, including five diesel buses and five HFC buses. Initial testing shows that TPMS Plus powered by Goodyear SightLine helps reduce roadside bus breakdowns and improve fuel efficiency.