Intermodal chassis operating under 53-foot containers face extreme tire stress. A single unnoticed slow leak from a bead, puncture, or damaged valve can drop tire pressure below safe thresholds. Under heavy load and sustained highway speeds, underinflated radial tires generate excessive heat, leading to tread separation and catastrophic blowouts that endanger drivers, cargo, and the motoring public.
Strong Tower Consulting, LLC has developed the ATIS-Sense Architecture™ in partnership with our sister company Exspeedite LLC. This system integrates CheckPoint telematics with automatic tire inflation hardware to deliver continuous monitoring, automatic repressurization, and actionable intelligence for intermodal equipment providers, drayage carriers, and marine terminal operators.
The Slow Leak Tire Shred Hazard
In intermodal operations, chassis tires routinely carry 18,000-22,000 lb per axle. A slow leak that reduces pressure by just 12-18 PSI often goes undetected during manual pre-trip inspections that rely on tire thumpers or visual checks. As the tire rolls under heavy load, internal temperatures climb rapidly. Rubber compounds degrade, steel belts separate, and the tire eventually disintegrates on the freeway. These incidents generate expensive roadside service calls, cargo delays, insurance claims, and potential negligence litigation against the equipment provider.
The Strong Tower ATIS-Sense Architecture™
Our architecture combines axle-end rotary union pressure transducers with the CheckPoint platform (accessible at https://exspeeditecheckpoint.com/login.php). The system continuously monitors air supply regulator pressure, compressor duty cycles, and individual tire inflation delivery volume.
- Axle-end rotary union sensors report real-time PSI at each wheel end and feed data to the CheckPoint gateway.
- Automated puncture severity diagnostic calculates sustained air delivery volume. If an ATIS unit runs continuously to compensate for a leak rather than a normal ambient temperature adjustment, the system flags the chassis for immediate attention.
- Ingate tire maintenance pre-clearance produces a digital tire integrity report at marine terminal gates. This report certifies that all eight wheel ends are at proper cold inflation pressure, eliminating manual verification and reducing gate processing time.
Intermodal Equipment Maintenance Performance Matrix
The table below compares three tire maintenance approaches commonly used in intermodal and drayage fleets. Data reflects aggregated industry benchmarks and client performance after implementing CheckPoint-integrated ATIS telematics.
| Metric | Manual Pre-Trip Tire Thumpers | Unmonitored ATIS Regulators | Strong Tower CheckPoint Sensor-Integrated ATIS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Over-the-Road Tire Failures per Million Miles | 4.8 | 3.1 | 0.7 |
| Roadside Tire Service Call Expenses (USD per unit/year) | $1,840 | $1,210 | $290 |
| Chassis Fleet Tire Life Cycles (Months) | 26 | 31 | 48 |
| Driver Pre-Trip Tire Audit (Seconds) | 185 | 92 | 18 |
Protecting Intermodal Equipment Providers Against Unfair Negligence Claims
When a tire-related incident occurs, plaintiffs frequently allege that the chassis provider failed to maintain proper tire pressure. CheckPoint sensor logs provide irrefutable, time-stamped evidence that the ATIS system maintained target PSI, that any anomalies were detected and reported, and that maintenance teams were notified in real time. These records integrate directly with existing TMS platforms (Truckmate, McLeod, or TMW) through EDI 214 status updates and custom SQL schema extensions, giving legal and risk management teams immediate access to certified tire pressure history for every interchange.
Integration with Core Transportation Systems
The CheckPoint platform was designed for seamless compatibility with established intermodal workflows. Tire pressure events can trigger EDI 214 status messages, appear on driver settlement screens as safety bonuses, adjust fuel surcharge calculations when tire efficiency improves, and feed detention reporting logic when equipment is held for tire service. Maintenance teams receive prioritized work orders based on puncture severity diagnostics rather than blanket schedules.
Strong Tower Consulting, LLC and Exspeedite LLC are separately organized sister companies under common ownership (separate EINs; liability firewall). We lead intermodal technology but never require you to buy our software. Carriers, equipment providers, and private fleets retain full freedom to select the best TMS, EDI mapping, and back-office systems for their operation. Our role is to deliver measurable results through superior process design and governance. Founded in Minnesota in 2008 by Scott Elliott. In business for more than 18 years. Phone: 763-244-1373.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can CheckPoint ATIS sensors distinguish between a punctured tire and a broken axle air supply line?
Yes. The CheckPoint platform analyzes both pressure trends and air delivery volume over time. A punctured tire produces a consistent, moderate-volume air bleed that the rotary union sensor detects as sustained duty-cycle activity on a single wheel end. A severed supply line triggers an immediate, high-volume pressure collapse across multiple tires on the same axle, generating a distinct alarm signature.
Are the pressure transducers compatible with both standard air tanks and sealed wheel hubs?
Yes. CheckPoint axle-end rotary union transducers are engineered for both traditional hub-piloted wheel assemblies with external air tanks and modern sealed-hub systems. The transducers mount at the rotary union regardless of hub design and report real-time PSI to the central telematics gateway.
Does the platform notify maintenance when an ATIS compressor or regulator needs filter replacement?
Yes. The system continuously tracks compressor duty cycles, regulator output pressure stability, and air flow volume. When duty cycles exceed normal thresholds or pressure regulation becomes inconsistent, CheckPoint automatically generates a maintenance alert recommending filter service or regulator rebuild before failure occurs.
How does ingate tire maintenance pre-clearance improve drayage operations?
CheckPoint generates an instant digital tire integrity report at marine terminal gates that certifies cold inflation pressure across all eight wheel ends. This eliminates manual tire thumping, reduces gate dwell time, prevents equipment rejection, and provides documented proof of proper tire maintenance for liability protection.
Ready to eliminate preventable tire failures and strengthen your intermodal maintenance governance? Strong Tower Consulting helps motor carriers, freight brokers, and private fleets implement intelligent chassis monitoring that integrates with existing TMS platforms such as Truckmate, McLeod, and TMW.