Benefits and Effects of Central Tire Inflation on USDA Forest Service Vehicles

As production CTI systems become available, the USDA Forest Service will continue to provide them on its fleet vehicles as we become more and more aware of the benefits and effects of CTI systems on fleet equipment. Tests on log tracks have identified eight factors affected by CTI that directly impact the Forest Service fleet. These factors are fuel consumption, vehicle maintenance due to shock and vibration, differential and power train replacement, tire carcass life and potential for catastrophic accidents, tire wear, vehicle life cycle, assist vehicle and/or towing, and overall cost effectiveness. All these factors show a significant positive (or insignificant negative) impacton Forest Service fleet vehicles.