Raising the Bar on Trailer Safety & Performance: How Standards & Smart Solutions Are Shaping the Future of Fleet Management

In South Africa’s fast-evolving transport sector, trailers play a central yet often underappreciated role in ensuring fleet efficiency, safety, and compliance. As fleets come under pressure to meet rising expectations around sustainability and safety, the spotlight is shifting to how trailers are managed - and how they can be better aligned with the SABS national RTMS standard (SANS 1395) and the innovative PBS initiative for improving Heavy Vehicle Design to improve safety (dynamic stability in particular) and productivity (“high-capacity” vehicles).

At MICHELIN Connected Fleet, we believe that adopting the right fleet management solutions is key to helping operators not just comply with these standards but truly benefit from them.

Understanding RTMS and PBS

The RTMS (Road Transport Management System) is a voluntary, self-regulatory standard that promotes safe, compliant, and efficient transport practices through performance monitoring and continuous improvement.

PBS (Performance-Based Standards) is a framework that allows vehicle designs and configurations based on measured performance outcomes instead of prescriptive design rules. It supports innovation by enabling safer, more productive vehicles.

Both standards are about raising the bar - not just for compliance, but for smarter, more sustainable operations.

Supporting Safer, Smarter, Compliant Fleets with Trailer Premium

At MICHELIN Connected Fleet, we’re committed to helping operators improve safety, efficiency, and compliance. Our advanced trailer management solution, Trailer Premium, is purpose-built to support the implementation and ongoing adherence to RTMS and PBS-aligned practices across fleets.

By offering real-time data and actionable insights, Trailer Premium enables operators to monitor and manage critical trailer metrics with ease. Key features include:

• Load and weight monitoring to help prevent overloading and support PBS compliance.
• Brake condition alerts for improved roadworthiness and reduced risk of roadside breakdowns.
• Tyre pressure and temperature monitoring, helping to lower the risk of fires and blowouts — a leading cause of trailer-related incidents.
• Driver behaviour insights linked to trailer handling and safety, promoting better driving practices.
• Live location, geofencing, and cargo tracking, offering greater visibility and security of assets in transit.
• EBS integration for event-based insights such as rollover risks, harsh braking, and load imbalance.

Trailer Premium isn’t just about technology - it’s about transforming data into a proactive safety and compliance strategy, reducing operational costs and improving peace of mind on every journey.

This kind of intelligent monitoring helps operators demonstrate compliance, reduce downtime, and improve overall safety and efficiency, which are key principles behind both RTMS and PBS.

Collaboration: Shaping the Future of Fleet Management

When we developed Trailer Premium, our objective was to create a solution that directly addresses the specific needs of fleet operators. By engaging closely with the market, we ensured that Trailer Premium not only supports compliance with RTMS and PBS standards, but also enhances operational efficiency, safety, and regulatory alignment. This solution stems from a deep understanding of the challenges fleet operators face, combined with our commitment to providing data-driven tools that empower better decision-making for fleet management.

This commitment to collaboration was front and centre during Transport Month, when MICHELIN Connected Fleet co-hosted the Trailer Management Power Brunch alongside RTMS and other industry leaders. The event brought together operators, logistics experts, and policymakers to spotlight the vital — and often overlooked — role of trailers in fleet safety and compliance.

As Dr. Paul Nordengen, Director at RTMS, highlighted during the panel discussion: “Managing trucks and trailers effectively is essential for improving road safety and operational efficiency. One of the fundamentals of the RTMS standard is the continuous improvement of management practices, which play a vital role in regulatory compliance and cost savings.”

By aligning innovative technology with trusted frameworks like RTMS and PBS, Trailer Premium goes beyond being just a product - it represents a shared vision for building safer, smarter, and fully compliant fleets across South Africa.

A Trusted Network, Connected by MICHELIN

Real transformation takes place when smart technology and actionable data insights are aligned with industry standards, and when stakeholders collaborate to meet shared objectives. Through Trailer Premium, MICHELIN Connected Fleet seeks to foster a network of trusted partners—one that enables:

• Informed decision-making through advanced data insights
• Stronger partnerships between fleet operators, industry bodies, and solution providers
• Safer roads and more sustainable fleet operations

Building the Future Together

Whether your goal is to achieve RTMS certification, manage a PBS-compliant fleet, or simply improve trailer performance, Trailer Premium is here to help unlock your fleet's full potential. For more information on how our solution can support your fleet's compliance and efficiency, reach out to our experts today.