The 'cheap' TPMS just compares all the outputs and turns on a light, like the Chinese railroad symbol upside down, when one (or more) don't match within a couple of psi. These may have no idea what the actual pressure is, which saves all the money involved in sensing and forwarding a pressure reading for each wheel.
If I were designing this, there would be a second stage of warning, say at around 22psi, to note that at least one tire is severely low.
The 'better' approach is a direct pressure number for each position. Did you know that rental Chargers with hemi engines are delivered off the train with 41psi for transit? And that Enterprise or Budget workers don't bother to check tire pressure in a 'new' vehicle? Not quite the full roller-skates-in-a-gravel-pit effect... but enough that you'll look.
I don't know about a link to TPMS, but the 721 case was definitely the Naperville ICC order that imposed those 85-mph speedometers for a while. (adding insult to injury, the Ford digital speedometer had the hundreds half-digit -- for Canadians using km/h -- but it was actually illegal to access it!)
I figured that a part of it was once the problem is established as a known risk, it becomes a liability for the "expert" (the auto makers in this instance) to fail to address it.
Plus, I just get this visual of some guy sitting in the board room saying "hey fellas, I think I know how we can get some of this money back, we'll force EVERYONE to pay into the pot"
Convicted OneSo, wasn't the inflation warning system an offshoot of that claim?
TPS systems did start to show up within a few years of the whole Ford Explorer rollover issue. I doubt, however, it was the sole reason it was developed or the monocausal explanation for why they appeared when they did. I suspect the appearance of TPS systems the early 2000's had as much to do with the cost and availability of the necessary wireless communication technology as anything else. But I'm sure the lawsuits helped nudge it along.
zugmannWhat litigation was that?
If you go back to the old "SUV Rollover" lawsuits, the car manufacturers argued that improper inflation was just as responsible as any design "defect" on their part....thus implying a contributory responsibility by the end user.
So, wasn't the inflation warning system an offshoot of that claim? I always thought it was. But I really believe it was more intended as a way to recover the settlement costs paid out. As well as a hedge against a now-known peril (Gee Mr Auto manufacturer, you've known about this risk for HOW LONG, yet have stll done nothing to address the problem?)
tree68Mine's on all the time right now. Might be the spare, or a bad sensor.
I've got two on the Hyundai, one for TPS, "Tire Pressure System" and another that indicates low tire pressure. TPS is on all the time now but the other comes on as needed, which hasn't happened in the past three years. The guys at the auto shop told me ignore the TPS, it's not worth fixing. I inspect the tires regularly anyway so I don't need the indicators.
Convicted One (and I also have to wonder if there is enough mark up-on each unit sold that they ultimately will break even on the litigation that spawned them?)
What litigation was that?
The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.
tree68 Convicted One The ever-growing long list of late-night "we want to litigate for you" commercials has grown to absurd proportions. Especially since it is ultimately the consumer that gets the bill for "damages". Not directly related to trains but I often wonder if those stupid tire inflation warning lights on automobile dashboards are not just the automaker's way of emphasizing that point. (and I also have to wonder if there is enough mark up-on each unit sold that they ultimately will break even on the litigation that spawned them?) Not to mention the medication commercials, where the scrolled/very rapidly read possible side effects sound almost worse than the affliction they are supposed to cure... As for the tire pressure lights - That's usually my reminder to change to "winter" air... Seriously, though - the first cold snap of the year usually results in a trip to an air source to get the pressures back up to normal, after it has slowly diminished all summer. Mine's on all the time right now. Might be the spare, or a bad sensor.
Convicted One The ever-growing long list of late-night "we want to litigate for you" commercials has grown to absurd proportions. Especially since it is ultimately the consumer that gets the bill for "damages". Not directly related to trains but I often wonder if those stupid tire inflation warning lights on automobile dashboards are not just the automaker's way of emphasizing that point. (and I also have to wonder if there is enough mark up-on each unit sold that they ultimately will break even on the litigation that spawned them?)
The ever-growing long list of late-night "we want to litigate for you" commercials has grown to absurd proportions.
Especially since it is ultimately the consumer that gets the bill for "damages". Not directly related to trains but I often wonder if those stupid tire inflation warning lights on automobile dashboards are not just the automaker's way of emphasizing that point. (and I also have to wonder if there is enough mark up-on each unit sold that they ultimately will break even on the litigation that spawned them?)
Not to mention the medication commercials, where the scrolled/very rapidly read possible side effects sound almost worse than the affliction they are supposed to cure...
As for the tire pressure lights - That's usually my reminder to change to "winter" air... Seriously, though - the first cold snap of the year usually results in a trip to an air source to get the pressures back up to normal, after it has slowly diminished all summer.
Mine's on all the time right now. Might be the spare, or a bad sensor.
I drive a vehicle with a low-band, VHF, 2-way radio. It always activates the sensor.
Larry Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date Come ride the rails with me! There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...
Juries tend to have contempt for deep pockets, I guess that makes it all too predictable?
Convicted OneThe ever-growing long list of late-night "we want to litigate for you" commercials has grown to absurd proportions. Especially since it is ultimately the consumer that gets the bill for "damages". Not directly related to trains but I often wonder if those stupid tire inflation warning lights on automobile dashboards are not just the automaker's way of emphasizing that point. (and I also have to wonder if there is enough mark up-on each unit sold that they ultimately will break even on the litigation that spawned them?)
Never underestimate the idiocy of the American Idiot that wants to be paid BECAUSE they did something idiotic.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
Yes it does. At least as far as cosmetic powders are concerned. That's why so many women are switching to air brush makeup. Now that I've bored you with female problems... there's a paraquat commercial running as I typed this. A lot of them seem to be on while I'm watching Doctor Who.
Same me, different spelling!
I wonder if for anyone living right next to a railroad, would that make the railroad additionally liable? The key being that for a nearby resident landowner, there would be no workman's liability shield.
I miss being able to buy talcum powder, as well. Cornstarch disappoints in several ways.
One reason why Lawyers scour the Internet for Discussion Forums such as this one...............
https://www.nationalinjuryadvocates.com/railroad-workers-exposed-to-paraquat-may-develop-parkinsons-disease-from-weed-control-work/?fbclid=IwAR0mPZDXV1S4NPcWtEY070N_spf-VqRcCv7vj2aVi84BP0S1VcuH7WHaRDs
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