The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority has awarded $250,000 to International Electronic Machines Corp. of Troy for the firm to continue developing equipment that inspects truck wheels and tires using infrared technology.
The technology, which NYSERDA says can save fuel and reduce greenhouse gas emissions while decreasing inspection wait time, would be used to inspect truck tires, brakes and bearings at highway speeds. The technology could be used to signal trucks with mechanical issues to pull over at inspection sites, while trucks with no problems would be allowed to keep driving.
The Smart Infrared Inspection System looks for abnormal temperature variations that indicate wear and possible damage. SIRIS technology was initially developed with a $1.4 million grant from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. NYSERDA contributed $250,000 in an earlier incentive, with an additional $610,000 in private funding. This is the second round of funding.
New York State conducts more than 100,000 truck and other commercial motor vehicle safety inspections each year. Waiting time at these stops can result in as much as half a gallon of wasted fuel per truck, NYSERDA says. Use of this technology could prevent the release of nearly 1,800 tons of carbon dioxide, 86,000 pounds of nitrogen oxides and similar amounts of the other contaminants each year in New York State alone, IEM says.