Novel Contact-Free Brake Tester for Roadside Inspection of Vehicles

This paper describes the application of an Active Thermal Imaging technique (ATI), whereby a temperature gradient is produced by the operation of the braking system in use, to determine thermal brake imbalance.

Results obtained from passenger vehicles and heavy goods vehicles (trucks) are detailed, showing how side-to-side thermal imbalance can be quickly and quantitatively recorded at the roadside.