NASHVILLE, Tenn.—Pilot Company and Bridgestone Americas have announced a collaboration on an advanced tire monitoring and service network for commercial fleets at select travel center locations. The initial trial phase will begin this summer with a rollout of the tire monitoring technology at 200 Pilot and Flying J locations.
Each router currently being installed in the fuel canopies of select Pilot and Flying J travel centers is linked to the Bridgestone tire pressure monitoring solution, IntelliTire, and transmits real-time tire data in two minutes or less from trucks and buses to fleet managers. IntelliTire combines hardware with a software application to allow fleet operators to proactively address specific tire issues and mitigate unplanned maintenance, reducing downtime and improving driver safety. Fleets using this technology will have access to critical data such as tire inflation pressure and temperature, enabling them to continually monitor the health of each tire throughout its life cycle.
“Physical, on-the-ground touchpoints are critical elements to the success of digital, data-driven fleet solutions, and together they enable synergies to improve mobility,” said Chris Ripani, president, Commercial Tire Group, Bridgestone Americas. “With a robust footprint and strong fleet relationships, Pilot Company is the perfect partner to help us develop a connected network that is designed to allow our shared customers to minimize downtime, save on costs and improve driver safety now and in the future.”
The use of the Bridgestone advanced tire monitoring system at Pilot and Flying J travel centers allows both companies to expand their service offerings and support the growing need for evolving technology solutions that make it easier and faster to maintain vehicles. The program adds to Pilot Company’s bundle of fleet solutions, which provides trucking companies with full-service financial, maintenance and fuel packages.
“With the safety of our customers in mind, we are leveraging our network of Pilot and Flying J travel centers to help deliver IntelliTire technology to the road—making it easy for fleets and drivers to maintain their trucks and minimize downtime during routine fuel stops,” said Shameek Konar, Pilot Company CEO. “This project is part of our larger focus to add new technologies and services to make road travel better, safer and more efficient for our guests.”
Last week, Pilot and General Motors announced a partnership on a national DC fast charging network of 2,000 charging stalls, which will be co-branded "Pilot Flying J" and "Ultium Charge 360." The stalls will be open to all EV brands at up to 500 Pilot and Flying J travel centers. The Pilot and Flying J travel centers plan to feature numerous fast charging stalls provided by EVgo, including high-power fast chargers capable of offering up to 350 kW. The collaboration is aimed at installing charging stalls at 50-mile intervals across the U.S.