Researchers at Auburn University are evaluating a new battery-free tire-monitoring technology that could help motor carriers identify tire problems before they lead to costly and potentially dangerous blowouts.

The project, led by Auburn University’s Transportation Research Institute (AUTRI), is supported by a $1.9 million grant from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. The research will focus on whether low-cost RFID-based sensors embedded in commercial truck tires can provide real-time information about tire pressure, temperature, and structural strain.

According to AUTRI Director Larry Rilett, the goal is to identify failing tires before they create a safety risk on the highway.

“If we can use that to identify when a tire is getting weak, we can replace the tire before a blowout,” Rilett said.

The battery-free sensors are designed to transmit tire condition data without requiring a dedicated power source. Researchers will evaluate whether the technology can reliably identify warning signs of tire deterioration before a catastrophic failure occurs.

Over the next two years, the research team plans to test the system in several operational scenarios, including stationary inspections, low-speed drive-through monitoring locations such as weigh stations, and continuous monitoring while vehicles are traveling at highway speeds.

Testing will take place both in controlled laboratory environments and on commercial vehicles operating at Auburn’s National Center for Asphalt Technology Test Track. The goal is to determine whether the technology can deliver accurate and actionable information under real-world trucking conditions.

If successful, the technology could offer fleets another tool to improve preventive maintenance programs and reduce roadside tire failures. Researchers say the findings may also have future applications beyond commercial trucking, including school buses and passenger vehicles.