An Overview of Heavy Vehicle Brake System Test Methods

A number of methods and types of equipment have been developed to measure a heavy vehicle's braking forces both for use as an inspection tool and for diagnosis of brake system problems. The systems and procedures evaluated included a vehicle deceleration test, a road transducer plate, roller dynamometers, a flat plate tester, a breakaway torque tester, and an infrared brake temperature measurement system. Evaluations of these devices have been conducted to ensure that the results produced are meaningful. In general, the devices compare very well and, in most cases, were found to be useful in determining the status of a brake system.