(July 31, 2011)
The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority ( NYSERDA ) has awarded $250,000 to International Electronic Machines ( IEM ) Corp. of Troy for the firm to continue developing equipment that inspects truck wheels and tires using infrared technology.
The technology, which has the potential to save fuel and reduce greenhouse gas emissions while limiting inspection wait time, would be used to inspect truck tires, brakes and bearings at highway speeds. If successful, 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 ( SIRIS ) looks for abnormal temperature variations, which indicate wear and possible damage. Early discovery of these problems prevents more significant damage – and possibly safety risks – down the road.
SIRIS was initially developed under a $1.4 million grant from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. NYSERDA contributed $250,000 in an earlier incentive, leveraging an additional $610,000 in private funding. The second round of funding, announced today, came about after IEM’s tests demonstrated the feasibility of the high speed solution.
The technology’s early application was to look at trucks driving slowly through inspection sites, but this new generation will be used on trucks driving at highway speeds.
“Heavy-duty vehicles account for only 4 percent of the vehicles on the road, but consume 20 percent of the fuel,” said Francis J. Murray Jr., President and CEO of NYSERDA. “NYSERDA is partnering on dozens of projects that will help make the freight industry more energy efficient. This is yet another piece of the solution.”
Zack Mian, President and CEO of International Electronic Machines, said, “NYSERDA has provided strategic funding to IEM for many years, enabling us to develop technologies that benefit energy savings, the environment, and the economy."
New York State conducts more than 100,000 truck and other commercial motor vehicle safety inspections each year. Many more than that number of commercial vehicles is pulled over to wait in an inspection queue, only to be waved through later. This results in as much as a half gallon of wasted fuel per truck and adds greenhouse gases to the atmosphere.
According to IEM, use of SIRIS 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. If adopted for use on a nationwide basis, High Speed SIRIS would reduce emissions of CO2 by more than 50,000 tons.
About IEM:
IEM develops, produces, and markets innovative imaging, optical, and other sensor based systems for safety and security applications in the intelligent transportation system industry. By combining innovative sensor systems with advanced software, IEM creates intelligent solutions for use in vehicle inspection, security monitoring, maintenance activities, and more. IEM hold multiple patents covering a wide range of technologies including advanced machine vision, non-destructive evaluation, thermal infrared inspection, innovative cameras, security monitoring, and wireless sensors and sensor networks.
About NYSERDA:
NYSERDA, a public benefit corporation, offers objective information and analysis, innovative programs, technical expertise and funding to help New Yorkers increase energy efficiency, save money, use renewable energy, and reduce their reliance on fossil fuels. NYSERDA professionals work to protect our environment and create clean-energy jobs. NYSERDA has been developing partnerships to advance innovative energy solutions in New York since 1975.
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