Highways England

The IPT works to develop and implement initiatives aimed at reducing incidents that cause disruption to the SRN. It identified that tyre failures due to under-inflation are a major incident cause, and in some cases, can result in serious injuries or fatalities.

Two testing areas (one for private cars and the second for commercial vehicles using technology provided by WheelRight Ltd were set up at Welcome Break’s Keele Motorway Service Area (MSA), M6 J14-15 Southbound to operate a tyre pressure technology pilot between April 2015 – December 2015.

The campaign objectives of the pilot were as follows:

– Increase awareness of under-inflated tyres as a killer on the UK’s roads among motorists and HGV drivers
– Encourage drivers to check their tyre pressures every time they refuel
– Raise awareness of the importance of regular checks and their impact on driving safety
– To change consumer behaviour towards executing regular tyre pressure checks, supported by social media content and regular print coverage in the consumer, automotive, HGV and transport press

Tyresafe also supported the pilot in October 2015 as part of their ‘Safe tyres save lives’ campaign.

Tyre pressure results
During the trial 30,967 vehicles completed the drive over (27,413 from cars & 3,554 from HGVs an average of over 800 vehicles per week of which 1 in 10 drivers were repeat users, ). During the demonstration 152,300 individual tyre pressure readings (109,652 cars and 42,648 HGVs) were measured without stopping a vehicle or removing a value cap.

Car tyre pressure results
1 in 8 tyres were more than 20% from their nominal pressure and 1 in 3 tyres were more than 10% from their nominal pressure.
On average every second car had a dangerously under-inflated tyre.

HGV tyre pressure results
1 in 12 tyres were more than 20% from their nominal pressure and 1 in 13 tyres were more than 10% from their nominal pressure.

On average every HGV had a dangerous tyre

Driver feedback shows that drivers took action when the tyre pressure readings indicated an under inflated tyre and inflated their tyres using the on-site air compressors before leaving the MSA but these tyres are a potential trigger for an accident or incident.

Consumer Survey During the Pilot

Key results:

• Over 1,200 user surveys conducted
• Car drivers gave the system a rating of 9.4 out of 10
• 70% of drivers would pay to use the technology
• Female drivers check tyre pressures less frequently
• Male drivers (under 25 yrs) were the drivers with the poorest tyre condition