Independent bus operator Go-Coach is to install Wheely-Safe technology across its whole fleet after a successful trial on one of its vehicles picked up a potential brake temperature hazard.
The Wheely-Safe system, which is claimed to be the first of its type globally, combines an in-motion wheel-loss detection system with advanced brake and hub temperature monitoring and an intelligent tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS).
Go-Coach says the technology flagged up a brake temperature of around double what would be expected for one of the wheels on the Optare Solo used in the trial.
As a measure against one of the leading causes of fires in commercial vehicles, the Kent operator has expanded the trial to its other 11 Optare Solo buses. The company plans to continue the roll-out across all 40 of its fleet over the coming months.
Its own technicians are fitting the solution after an on-site demonstration from Wheely-Safe. They are using external TPMS sensors, which replace the valve cap and sync with a solar receiver in the cab.
Austin Blackburn, Managing Director at Go-Coach, explains: “The bus we trialled it on had been operating with a brake issue; the handheld pressure and brake temperature checker picked up the high temperature readings, enabling us to identify the cause and fix it before it became a real problem.
“Temperatures recorded from three of the wheel positions were around 40-42C, which is what you would expect, but the offside rear was 80C. We suspected a sticky brake on that wheel, but we found it was actually the calliper on the nearside rear wheel that wasn’t working correctly.
“Put simply, because the offside rear was doing all the braking, to compensate for the wheel with an issue, the temperature had doubled in comparison – which was an interesting diagnostic!”
Northern Ireland’s Translink, which is one of the largest operators to partner with Wheely-Safe, recently announced it was progressing towards completing installation right across its 1400-strong fleet.
Aside from the safety implications, Mr Blackburn hopes the decision to use the system will have cost savings too.
He adds: “Wheel loss has been a very hot topic in the bus industry for many years so anything we can do that highlights a problem at an early stage has to be a good thing.
“We had two incidents of loose wheel nuts last year – we didn’t lose a wheel, but both incidents cost £1,000 in new parts alone, and that’s without the labour and downtime. We are very confident the Wheely-Safe system will save us money.”
