Vehicle Dynamics - Continuous Improvements in Vehicle Safety from ABS to Electronic Stability Control

The continuous improvements in brake technology over the last 20 years for commercial vehicles have shown tremendous results in vehicle safety.

The pneumatic braking system has been changed from a system just stopping a vehicle to a system, which controls the total vehicle behavior.

Modern braking systems have access to the engine, gearbox and retarder. For vehicle dynamic control in critical driving situation this integration process is a further step of safety improvements for commercial vehicles.

The paper will describe the evolution process on brake technology from basic requirements of a braking system and the extensions to a system with additional safety features like ABS, ATC and ESC.

The paper explains the vehicle dynamics of tractor/trailer combination and the impact of brake control on stability.