Correlation of Braking System Defects and Performance Inspection. Volume I: Summary Report

摘要

Under the provisions of a previous contract with a different contractor, the NHTSA had commissioned the design of a low cost 'torsion bar brake dynamometer'. The present contract called for the University of Tennessee to review the design of this brake tester, to suggest changes in the design, to construct two prototypes, and to conduct tests that would permit the prototypes to be evaluated against three commercially available testers. The commercially available testers used were a low speed roller, a high speed roller with inertia capability, and a platform tester. Evaluation criteria included accuracy, repeatability, ability to detect known defects, and cost. The results show that the prototype is ranked highest using the criteria listed. It is recommended that its long term durability be determined by placing it in service.