FMCSA - Brake Safety

U.S. Department of Transportation Announces Proposal to Permit Use Of Brake Testers to Inspect Big Trucks, Buses
Continuing efforts to improve the safety of the nation's roadways by preventing truck- and bus-related crashes, U.S. Department of Transportation announced a proposal that would allow inspectors to use performance-based brake testers to check the brakes on large trucks and buses for compliance with federal safety standards and to issue citations when these vehicles fail. More...

Performance-Based Brake Testers - Round-Robin Final Report
Based on a series of tests using performance-based brake testers (PBBTs), this report presents the results, conclusions and recommendations concerning the suitability of PBBTs to enforce prospective in-service commercial motor vehicle brake performance regulations.

The North American Brake Safety Conference:
Strategies to Improve Commercial Vehicle Brake Performance and Compliance

The Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators (CCMTA) and the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) recently jointly sponsored the North American Brake Safety Conference, held as part of Truck World 2000 at the National Trade Center in Toronto, Ontario. This event brought together regulators, vehicle manufactures, carriers, fleet maintenance managers, parts suppliers and enforcement personnel. The intent was to host a program that explores ways to reduce the incidence of brake related vehicle defects in an open-multi-disciplinary forum.

The conference consisted of a series of both plenary and break-out sessions involving experts and selected speakers on a wide range of related topics and from a relevant range of disciplines. The intent was to produce a ‘tool box’ of ideas, solutions and ‘best practices’ that can be used to develop strategies for improved brake performance and compliance. A conference proceedings report will be published.

The event was part of the ongoing efforts of Operation Air Brake that has been approved by both the CCMTA and CVSA and is supported by the FMCSA.

1998 Brake Training Resource Directory
FHWA-MC-98-007

This publication provides a comprehensive listing of companies and organizations that offer training materials and courses concerning the inspection, repair and maintenance of medium- and heavy-truck brake systems.

Technician Guidelines for Antilock Braking Systems: Air-Braked Trucks, Tractors and Trailers
FHWA-MC-98-008
PDF or HTML

The purpose of this document is to provide truck technicians with general guidelines for ABS operation, maintenance, inspection and troubleshooting. This document may be download/printed (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader) or ordered from the National Technical Information Service, Springfield, VA 22161. Telephone (703) 605-6000.

Antilock Braking Systems: Technician Guidelines for ABS
Videotape: Approximately 23 minutes running time.

Truck Drivers Guide to Antilock Braking Systems
FHWA-MC-98-006
PDF or HTML

This publication is intended to help familiarize truck drivers with antilock braking systems. Download/Print (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)

Antilock Braking Systems: What Every Truck Driver Should Know
Videotape: Approximately 11 minutes running time.

To obtain a copy of any of these publications or videotapes, send a postcard or letter with your name and address to:

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
Vehicle and Operations Division (HCS-10)
400 Seventh Street, SW
Washington, DC 20590

OR e-mail your request.

PDF Files may be viewed with Adobe Acrobat Reader