Frequently Asked Questions
The Experts at AMS are here with answers to some of the commonly asked questions. Can’t find your answer here? Contact Us
What is the ROS?
The ROS, Roll-Over System, is a speed bump-like unit that measures tire tread wear when a vehicle drives over a speed bump-like unit. ROS is linked to Smart-Tread, a cloud-based data analytics platform to inform service and depot managers about the actual condition of their tires in real time. The system fully automates tread depth measurements and analytics needed for efficient tire-management and safe vehicle operation.
How much does the ROS cost?
The ROS is provided to customers via a data subscription model. The solution has no hardware cost; instead, users pay a monthly fee based on the number of tires in their fleet. The number of times a particular vehicle drives over the ROS does not impact cost. Maintenance and repair of the ROS is covered by the subscription fee.
How big is the ROS?
The ROS resembles a speed bump. It is 2 inches in height and 27 inches across. The width can be adjusted to match the width of vehicles it is monitoring by typically 10 to 12 feet (e.g., cars vs. commercial 18-wheelers). It comes with a separately mounted pedestal (called a “hub”) that houses electronics and an RFID reader.
How is the ROS installed?
The ROS is placed directly on the service lane pavement. Wiring runs beneath the ROS panels and directly to the hub. Each ROS panel (high-density polyethylene, plastic) is mounted to the floor using concrete anchor bolts. As few as four bolts can be used to affix the ROS to the pavement. Separate bolts affix the hub post to the pavement. One wall plug (standard two-phase AC power) and an accessible WiFi network are the only utilities required.
How long does it take in install?
Installation can typically be completed in 2-3 hours.
Can it be installed outside?
Yes, installation can be outside. The system is designed to withstand wind, rain, snow and ice. Care should be taken to avoid hitting the ROS with a snowplow or other heavy snow clearing equipment.
Will rain, snow or mud affect the measurements?
No. Unlike systems that use lasers and/or cameras to measure tread, the ROS uses solid-state sensors that are unaffected by these conditions. Ice or snow packed in the grooves of the tire will not affect readings. Note that a build-up of snow or ice on top of the ROS should be avoided as this will affect measurement accuracy.
How accurate is the ROS?
Studies have shown that the ROS has a Mean Absolute Error (MAE) of 0.5 mm when tread depth is under 8 mm. Above 8 mm in residual tread depth, the MAE is 1.0 mm.
How does the ROS track my tires?
The ROS includes RFID technology to track the vehicles. An RFID tag (roughly the size of a stick of gum) is placed on the vehicle. Each time the vehicle drives over the ROS, an RFID reader mounted on the hub picks up the tag and then associates each axle (and tire) with the correct vehicle.
How is my data reported?
Data is reported in a Smart-Tread portal. Each time a vehicle drives over the ROS, a tread reading is reported to the portal and presented graphically for easy analysis. Readings are typically presented within seconds after the measurement is taken. For quick assessment, each data point is color coded (red, yellow, green). Historical tread wear for each tire can be viewed for a more detailed understanding of the tire’s history and performance. Data can be downloaded in various file formats or through an application programming interface (API).