BASIC TESTING REQUIREMENTS

The testing of the vehicle brake system and its performance is essential for safe vehicle operation. The
braking system should be capable of stopping the vehicle when loaded and unloaded, on slippery and
dry roads without skidding and losing directional stability. The brakes must show no or little loss of
effectiveness after severe usage, i.e., the linings and drums should not fade.

GENERAL OUTLINE OF A BRAKE TEST STANDARD

A justifiable case can be made for assigning brake fade performance the second priority. Consequently,
the performance requirements of a brake test standard must be such that:

1. Effectiveness stopping performance on both low- and high-friction road surfaces is not degraded.

2. Reasonable fade performance is achieved.

Accident statistics reveal little about the accidents precipitated by partial brake system failure. Basic
engineering and safety considerations, however, suggest that braking performance with partial brake
failure should be assigned third priority. The performance requirements of this element of the brake test
standard must be designed such that:

1. Effectiveness stopping performance on both low- and high-friction road surfaces is not degraded.

2. Fade performance is not affected significantly.

3. Reasonable braking performance is achieved with partial failure of the brake system.

The parking brake performance should be assigned fourth priority. The test standard requirements for
the parking brake should be such that the particular design of the parking brake - which meets the test
requirements - does not cause a:

1. Decrease in effectiveness stopping performance

2. Significant decrease in fade performance

3. Significant decrease in partial failure performance.

MEASUREMENT OF BRAKING PERFORMANCE

1 EFFECTIVENESS

2 EFFIOENCY

3 RESPONSE TIME

4 CONTROLLABILITY

5 THERMAL EFFECTIVENESS
BRAKE USAGE AND MAINTENANCE

The usage and maintenance of a vehicular braking system affect, to a large extent, its performance.
Testing procedures should be directed at determining any undesirable effects of previous use or
maintenance upon the braking performance of a vehicle. Testing procedures should reveal if too large
stopping distances are caused by faded brakes, long time delays due to poor maintenance, or if the basic
stopping ability designed into the vehicle is unsatisfactory.

A brief description of the more important maintenance requirements follows:

1. The brakes should be relined with the lining material specified by the vehicle or brake manufacturer.
Complete sets of brake blocks should be installed even when one lining does not show any apparent
wear.

2. The brake drum or disc brake rotor surface should be smooth and concentric. If the drum or rotor is
scarred or worn unevenly, it should be reconditioned by reboring the friction surface. Reboring should
be a preferred practice at each brake relining.

3. Shoe return springs should be balanced to insure specified distribution of braking forces at low brake
line pressures.

4. Brake chambers and wheel cylinders should be in good mechanical condition in order to guarantee
good brake balancing.

5. Worn or loose slack adjusters should be replaced since they may affect unfavorably time lag and force
transmission.

6. With all brake components in good mechanical condition, a carefully conducted brake balancing test
should be carried out. It will reveal if the individual axles produce the brake force levels specified by the
manufacturer.

BRAKE SYSTEM INSPECTION AND DIAGNOSIS

The intent of an inspection program is to determine if a brake system has the ability to perform in a safe
manner for a reasonable length of time. Fundamental to the successful development of any inspection
program is a clear definition of the criteria by which items will be inspected and the rationale by which
these criteria are developed. The program must be able to establish immediate brake system
performance capabilities and determine if there are any defects or degradation that will lead to near-
future failure or sublevel performance.

BRAKE SYSTEM TESTING

With the brake system in good mechanical condition, the vehicle may be tested. Testing of the entire
braking system and its braking performance are essential from a safety viewpoint. Vehicle braking tests
may be conducted with the vehicle stationary as in the case of roller dynamometers and platform
testers, or nonstationary as in the case of road testing.

1 ROLLER DYNAMOMETER

2 PLATFORM TESTER
 3 BRAKE ROAD TESTING

COMPONENT TESTING

Brake system components may be tested in road tests or laboratory tests. When evaluated in road test
procedures, effects from, e.g., ambient conditions, and other vehicle and brake system components may
affect significantly the performance of a component. Consequently, specific brake system components
such as brake linings, switches, and brake application valves are certified or tested under laboratory
conditions. Frequently, the application and release times of pneumatic brake systems are determined
under laboratory conditions.