STOPPING ON 18 DIMES: A DECADE OF PROGRESS IN COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLE BRAKE SAFETY

摘要

Brake system operation, inspection, repair, and maintenance are vital contributors to commercial motor vehicle safety. In the last decade, both the motor vehicle safety standards and motor carrier safety regulations have undergone revisions to add safety-promoting requirements in several areas: 1. requirements for manufacturers to install antilock braking systems 2. reinstatement of stopping distance requirements for new vehicles 3. requirements for automatic brake adjusters and brake adjustment indicators 4. training and experience requirements for individuals who inspect, maintain, service or repair commercial motor vehicle (CMV) brakes Equipment regulations generally prescribe certain design or operational parameters. Last year, however, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) entered the realm of performance-based regulations when it published functional specifications for brake testing machines purchased by States with Federal motor carrier safety grants and proposed regulations for pass/fail criteria when these brake testers are used in CMV inspections.