Braking and control systems giant says many drivers don’t know about electronic brake stability functions
By Steve Skinner | November 28, 2013
Despite the increasing installation of electronic brake stability (EBS) systems in new trucks and trailers, one of the world’s biggest suppliers of this equipment says there is widespread lack of knowledge about them within the trucking industry.
EBS incorporates a host of safety systems including ABS (antilock braking systems), ESC/ESP (electronic stability control/program) and ATC (automatic traction control).
Knorr-Bremse Australia Sales and Engineering Manager Kevin Gibson says understanding of EBS does not always flow from the owners of new trucks and trailers down to the driver.
“One of the issues we find out there in the marketplace is it’s a case of, ‘There’s the new truck, there’s the keys, see you later,’ but they don’t actually tell the driver what’s on board,” Gibson says.
“And like everything, you only read the manual when there’s a problem. So rather than understanding what to expect with the system, the feedback from the driver is, ‘The truck’s always slowing down when I go around a roundabout,’ and it’s probably doing that for a reason.”
On the other hand Gibson adds that some fleets have driver training days where drivers can experience what happens with the EBS system on and off.
He makes the point that in deliberately going too fast around corners with protective outriggers on the side of the trailer, and not being allowed to look in the mirrors, drivers invariably do not realise the trailer is starting to roll as quickly as it does.
What about the opposite scenario to all this, when a driver knows the capabilities of the EBS system and becomes a little complacent about his or her role in safe driving?
“Irrespective of telematics, these systems record data, so that when the vehicle goes back to base…they can actually see where the driver has been harsh, where he’s had any ABS interventions, or whether there’s been any ESC (electronic stability control) interventions.
“The company can thereby provide further training to that driver.”
Gibson was one of the speakers on braking at the recent Technical and Maintenance Conference in Melbourne put on by Paccar, the Australian Trucking Association and the Australian Road Transport Suppliers Association (ARTSA).
He says the cost difference between the EBS and ABS hardware on a new trailer is “minimal”.
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