CENTRAL TIRE INFLATION: USDA Forest Service Development Program

摘要

Since 1983 the Forest Service's San Dimas Technology and Development Center has been investigating the use of Central Tire Inflation (CTI) to reduce the cost of road construction and maintenance. These on-board tire inflation/deflation systems enable the driver of a vehicle to vary tire pressure from the vehicle's cab. Early development efforts resulted in the installation of prototype CTI systems on log and dump trucks operating on the national forest road system. More recent work has resulted in development of preproduction commercial CTI systems being installed and evaluated. Structured test results indicate savings of over 25% are possible for the reduction of aggregate base course thickness when operating vehicles equipped with CTI systems. Development program data are presented that cover increased vehicle mobility, reduced environmental impact from sediment production, designs for reduced roadway structural thickness, and lowered road maintenance costs.