• Final rule allows performance-based brake testers

    U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta today announced a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) final rule establishing pass/fail criteria for use with performance-based brake testers (PBBTs), which measure the braking performance of commercial vehicles. The final rule allows motor carriers and federal, state and local enforcement officials to use the new technology to determine
    Aug. 9, 2002
    2 min read
    U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta today announced a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) final rule establishing pass/fail criteria for use with performance-based brake testers (PBBTs), which measure the braking performance of commercial vehicles.

    The final rule allows motor carriers and federal, state and local enforcement officials to use the new technology to determine whether a truck or bus complies with brake performance safety standards. The use of PBBTs, which assess vehicle-braking capability by measuring brake forces at each wheel or by measuring overall vehicle brake performance in a controlled test, is expected to save time and could increase the number of commercial vehicles that can be inspected in a given time, Mineta said.

    "We need to take advantage of new technology to help reduce the number of fatalities related to truck and bus crashes," Mineta said. "This new safety technology can help prevent crashes by ensuring that trucks and buses have sufficient braking capacity."

    The final rule means that certified roller dynamometers, breakaway torque testers, and flat-plate testers, all of which measure brake force, can be used to measure brake compliance and help determine whether a truck or bus's brakes comply with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations.

    The new rule applies to all commercial vehicles with GVWs over 10,000 lbs., and will go into effect February 3, 2003.

    About the Author

    Tim Parry

    Tim Parry is a former FleetOwner editor. 

    Voice your opinion!

    To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of FleetOwner, create an account today!

    Sign up for our free eNewsletters

    Latest from News

    4126654 | Phartisan | Dreamstime.com
    driver retention
    Turnover and its causes are expenses we like to ignore or accept as the cost of running a trucking company. In a market like today’s, investing in retention doesn’t mean spending...
    262563459 | Vitpho | Dreamstime.com
    Combat cargo theft: Strategies to protect your fleet in 2025
    Cargo theft is rising in the U.S., fueled by advanced tactics and international rings. Understanding trends and strategies is essential for fleets to safeguard their assets.
    81443784 | Vitpho | Dreamstime.com
    trucking efficiency
    When you couple a truck spec’d properly for its duty cycle with technologies that improve efficiency and a driver who is hyper-focused on fuel efficiency, you’ll have a winning...