RS192: How Is Tire Management Technology Gaining More Traction?

Why It Matters

Automatic steer‑axle inflation cuts fuel and tire costs while reducing crash risk, giving fleets a decisive competitive edge.

Key Takeaways

• Appiria launches steer‑axle automatic inflator, completing 18‑wheel coverage.
• Proper tire pressure improves fuel economy by up to 1.5 % fleetwide.
• Under‑inflated steer tires cause 6‑8 % of truck accidents.
• AI‑driven leak detection alerts fleets before dangerous pressure loss.
• Steer‑tire inflators extend tread life by 10‑12 % and cut roadside stops.

Summary

At the 2026 Technology and Maintenance Council meeting in Nashville, Transport Topics host Seth Clevenger interviewed Ralph Demena, chief commercial officer of Appiria Technologies, about the latest evolution in tire‑management solutions. The conversation centered on Appiria’s newly announced steer‑axle automatic inflator, the final piece that now offers automatic pressure control for every wheel on a tractor‑trailer.

Demena traced the company’s twelve‑year journey from a Stanford prototype to a fully connected platform that combines self‑powered inflators with real‑time TPMS data. He highlighted that proper inflation can boost fuel efficiency by 1‑1.5 % and extend tread life on the most expensive steer tires by 10‑12 %. He also cited FMCSA studies showing under‑inflated steer tires contribute to 6‑8 % of truck crashes.

“The engineering challenge was flattening the device and adding a central viewing hole for oil‑filled hubs,” Demena said, emphasizing the safety‑critical nature of the steer position. He also described AI‑driven leak‑detection algorithms that flag tires working overtime, allowing fleets to intervene before a failure.

The rollout promises fleets measurable cost‑per‑mile reductions, fewer roadside incidents, and a data‑rich platform for predictive maintenance. As AI tools mature, Appiria’s Halo Connect could become a standard for proactive safety and efficiency across the trucking industry.

Original Description

What if your tires could tell you exactly what they need — before a blowout, before a breakdown, before a costly roadside event?

Recorded live at TMC’s 2026 Annual Meeting, co-host Seth Clevenger sits down with Ralph Dimenna, chief commercial officer at Aperia Technologies to break down the latest advances in tire management technology, including Aperia's own groundbreaking expansion into steer-tire inflation. The conversation also explores how AI is beginning to unlock new value from connected tire data, and how the relationships between fleets, tire manufacturers and service providers are being reshaped in the process. With more than a decade of experience in tire management innovation, Dimenna brings a rare blend of technical depth and commercial perspective to one of trucking's most consequential challenges.

Whether you're running a cutting-edge operation or just starting to move beyond the clipboard, this episode offers a practical roadmap. Tune in for a compelling look at what tire management could look like a decade from now.

For more information: https://roadsigns.ttnews.com/episodes/how-is-tire-management-technology-gaining-more-traction/

This episode is sponsored by Aperia Technologies (https://aperiatech.com/)

Join RoadSigns mailing list: https://roadsigns.ttnews.com/join-the-mailing-list/

For sponsorship and guest inquires please visit: https://roadsigns.ttnews.com/roadsigns-contact/

For RoadSigns extended cuts visit: https://pages.ttnews.com/RS-Bonus-Content-Archive.html