FPInnovations PIT Group was privileged to participate in the American Trucking Associations Technology and Maintenance Council Annual meeting, TMC 2019, which recently took place in Atlanta, Georgia.
An important highlight of the event was a joint press conference held by TMC and PIT. “We’re very pleased to announce today that our partnership is moving forward with two exciting and relevant research projects, the results of which stand to increase the efficiency and performance of fleets across the United States and North America”, said Robert Braswell, executive director, TMC. “Our expertise in professional testing, strategic engineering services, and scientific research will benefit our subscribers as well as the TMC membership. We’re looking forward to working together on these and many more projects” added Dwayne O. Haug, business development U.S. consultant for PIT Group.
The first collaborative project will be a review and validation by the PIT Group of existing test data that was used by TMC to develop their Drive Cycle Calculator, an interactive mathematical tool used to evaluate aerodynamic devices for their potential fuel and economic savings. The Group will also conduct testing to obtain additional results to grow the test database used for this tool. A second project will entail a multi-year study of electromagnetic braking, which will include a literature and market review, as well as testing and operational evaluation of electromagnetic braking systems. The study will focus on comparing the braking performance, maintenance, and inspection of conventional and electromagnetic brakes.
Another highlight for the PIT Group was a presentation given by Dwayne Haug at the Tire and Wheel Study Group Session entitled “Proven Strategies for Successful Fleet Tire Testing”, which described PIT Group’s expertise and testing capabilities, as well as the Group’s approach to tire testing, over the last ten years.
PIT Group also had a presence on the exhibition floor, with a booth that was very well visited, promoting both PIT Group and PIT Crew USA. PIT Crew USA held a drawing each day from business cards that were dropped by Fleet Representatives as they visited the booth, for a 50% reduction in the subscription rate for their fleet to join PIT Crew USA. This generated much interest and the winners are now being contacted. “This, together with the recognition from TMC is a testament to PIT Group’s achievements over the last ten years of its existence”, said Adime Kofi Bonsi, PIT Group Researcher.