Commercial Vehicle Braking Systems
Increased public pressure to improve commercial truck safety and new stopping distance regulations have intensified the need to better understand the factors influencing heavy vehicle braking performance. To assist individuals and their organizations in preparing for these new truck braking standards, this seminar focuses attendees on understanding medium-duty hydraulic brake systems and heavy-duty air brake systems and how both systems' performance can be predicted, maintained and optimized. The function and application of the major brake system components will be explained and attendees will discover how brakes, tires and roadways interact as a system. Federal braking regulations for both hydraulic and air brake vehicles will also be covered. Attendees will receive the text, "Commercial Vehicle Braking Systems: Air Brakes, ABS and Beyond," written by Leonard C. Buckman.
This course has been approved by the Accreditation Commission for Traffic Accident Reconstruction (ACTAR) for 18 Continuing Education Units (CEUs). Upon completion of this seminar, accredited reconstructionists should mail a copy of their course certificate and the $5 student CEU fee to ACTAR, PO Box 1493, North Platte, NE 69103.
What Will You Learn
- Design safe and efficient braking systems
- Test and measure braking performance
- Maintain and troubleshoot braking systems
- Comply with state and federal regulations on brakes
- Describe the brake implications of accident investigation
Is This Course For You
Materials Provided
Course Requirements
Topics
- Medium Truck Hydraulic Brake Actuation Systems
- Heavy Truck, Bus & Trailer Air Actuation Systems
- Brake Actuation Components - Function, Advantages/disadvantages, Applications
- Foundation Brakes - Cam, Wedge, Air Disc, Hydraulic Disc
- Braking Performance Fundamentals
- Maintenance and its Impact on Performance
- Brake Force Distribution
- Heavy Vehicle Dynamics and Tire Characteristics
- Thermal Considerations
- Tractor - Trailer Brake Compatibility
- Truck & Tractor Air Antilock Braking Systems
- Trailer Air Antilock Braking Systems
- Hydraulic Antilock Braking Systems
- Electronic Data Communication
- Automatic Traction Control Systems (ATC)
- Electronically Controlled Braking Systems (ECBS or "Brake-by-Wire")
- Electronic Stability Control and Roll Stability Control - Extended Applications of Electronics in Braking
- Brake Testing Procedures
- NHTSA and FMCSA Commercial Vehicle Brake Regulations