Comparative Analysis of Air Brake Antiskid Systems - A Truck Builder's View

Numerous air brake antiskid systems, each representing a unique approach to achieving a common goal, are being promoted to fill the market created by the performance criteria contained in Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (MVSS) 121. Nine of these systems were examined (seven survive) in order to determine the range of available features and performance, and to discover what new factors will have to be taken into account by vehicle manufacturers to accommodate antiskid systems as standard equipment.

The early effective date of MVSS 121 has forced introduction of antiskid systems with only minimal field exposure. The next generation of system designs is already being considered, and is expected to incorporate refinements based on current experiences of skid control suppliers, vehicle manufacturers, and users.