Hankook Tire pilot tests a new driving optimization solution

- Hankook Tire developed a solution that provides operational guide based on driving habit analysis
- is Pilot test conducted on four regional buses of a Korean travel agency prior to its official launch in 2024
- Solution aims to optimize total cost of ownership as well as contribute to environmental sustainability

Seoul, Korea, March 14, 2022 – Global leading tire company Hankook Tire pilot tested a new driving optimization solution that aims to provide data analysis for fleet operators based on driving habit analysis.

Reducing total cost of ownership (TCO) is particularly crucial when operating commercial vehicles such as trucks and buses. For this reason, fleet owners are aware of the importance of maximizing tire performance including braking, wear resistance and fuel use. Hankook Tire, with a goal of improving fuel efficiency and extending tire life, developed the solution. It collects and analyzes various data with a driving recorder, GPS and tire sensor attached to vehicles.

Hankook Tire tested the solution with a Korean transportation company EHWA Air and Travel Agency from July 2020 to September 2021. The pilot test was conducted on drivers of four regional buses that travel more than 7,000 kilometers per month. Hankook monitored data and carried out analysis of each bus driver’s driving habits such as speeding, rapid acceleration and deceleration, braking and idling. Based on the result, Hankook created and delivered the improvement guide to EHWA Air and Travel Agency on driver training, tire maintenance and vehicle management.

For example, the data analysis shows that there are more tire wear out and fuel usage from increased braking time and where the engines left running idly. The biggest difference shown in the test data goes up to 20% drop in fuel efficiency meaning, avoiding frequent braking and engine idling can help TCO optimization.

In addition, it was observed that tire pressure commonly decreased in the winter season. Due to low temperatures, air pressure inside a tire which normally is around 120 psi dropped to as low as 96 psi. The finding implies that tire pressure inspection is a critical focus in winter, and that checking tire pressure every two months can reduce fuel consumption.

The optimization solution is beneficial not only in an economic aspect, but also in an environmental aspect. Breaking driving habits such as sudden braking and idling can lower operating costs as well as carbon dioxide generated.

Hankook Tire plans to conduct more tests and studies for the solution prior to its official launch planned in 2024. Hankook will also use the big data to be collected through the solution for high-quality tire development.

Sooil Lee, President and CEO of Hankook Tire & Technology says, “Fleet owners are particularly interested in improving cost efficiency in vehicle operation and maintenance but we understand it’s not easy to find the potential areas of improvement. Hankook Tire aims to tackle this issue and provide assistance with the solution. When it’s fully ready, it will greatly aid cost optimization as well as sustainability innovation.”