Pressure Systems International (P.S.I.) this year is commemorating the 25th anniversary of its development and introduction of the first automatic tire inflation systems (ATIS) for commercial vehicles.
P.S.I. and its partners celebrated this milestone Oct. 9-10 during the annual Fleet Technology Event in San Antonio TX co-sponsored by Meritor and P.S.I.
In the past 25 years, P.S.I. took ATIS from technology newcomer to a feature specified on more than 65% of trailers built in North America. P.S.I. set the trend and remains the market leader with over 1.4 million systems. With customers in more than 45 countries, P.S.I. says it’s the only global ATIS solution.
P.S.I.’s ATIS for trailers, chassis and dollies automatically adds air to the tire as the vehicle is rolling down the highway whenever the tire pressure drops below the tire’s cold pressure setting. A warning light typically located in front of the trailer is illuminated when air is being added to one or more low tires.
The system has been specified by many of the top 100 fleets, with an ROI typically less than one year. The payback comes in the form of fuel economy, reduced tread wear, fewer roadside calls and lower labor costs. Other key benefits include reduced CSA point violations, increased safety and improved efficiency of equipment and driver hours of service.
P.S.I. improved the system in 2005 when it released the patented ThermALERT feature, which is the only wheel-end thermal-event warning system of its kind. It has become so widely specified since then, P.S.I. said, that it was made a standard feature in 2018. Additionally, P.S.I.’s ATIS can tie into trailer telematics systems that send a signal directly to maintenance when the warning light is illuminated.
P.S.I.’s ATIS also is marketed and distributed in North America by Meritor as the Meritor Tire Inflation System (MTIS).