The impact of the truck loads on the braking efficiency assessment

Abstract

The paper deals with possibilities of assessment of braking efficiency during evaluation of braking system at technical inspection of trucks in conditions of the Slovak Republic. The braking efficiency of the vehicle is evaluated by measuring the braking forces at the roller brake tester. The magnitude of these forces also depends on the loads of the measured vehicle. The paper analyses the results of the practical tests of the braking efficiency measurement of a truck of category N3 and of a vehicle combination consisting of vehicles of category N3 and O4. The analysed vehicle combination was gradually loaded in four different ways and a special situation was the measurement of the braking efficiency of the tractor itself. The instantaneous load on each axle was recorded with portable axle weights. The braking efficiency evaluation was carried out in accordance with the valid methodology, which allows the application of the direct evaluation method, the method of linear extrapolation, the method of the reference braking forces and the indicative evaluation. A vehicle with the same braking system may be assessed as roadworthy or not roadworthy. This is due to the application of different methods of evaluating the braking efficiency and different way of loads at the loading area.