New Regulations from the NHTSA
Posted by Steve Robinson Jr. on Mon, Nov 16, 2009
The National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA) has
announced new stopping distance regulations for tractors with
implementation beginning August 2011.
Q. What does the new rule mean and who is responsible for ensuring
that it is met?
A. All Class 8 tractors with air brakes must be capable of passing a
stopping distance requirement for loaded and unloaded conditions
from 60 mph. The new rule has shortened the maximum allowable
distance. The vehicle builder is responsible for making sure their
vehicles are compliant.
Q. Will the new rule significantly change the brake system specs?
A. No. For example, the industry-leading Meritor® Q PlusTM S-cam
drum brake will continue to be available to meet customers'
needs. ArvinMeritor has been working on a reduced stopping
distance program for over 3 years in anticipation of the new
regulations. As a result, the Q Plus product will meet the new
requirements with an additional 10% margin.
Q. Will larger drum brakes be required to meet the new rule?
A. Not in all cases. ArvinMeritor will continue to offer an array of
brake sizes, including 15" steer axle packages. This is particularly
important for weight sensitive customers. However, transitioning
to larger brakes will provide some advantages, including increased
lining volume to drive longer service intervals, lower operating
temperatures, reduced fade and improved performance.
Q. Will my service practices have to change?
A. No, drum brake service practices will see very little change.
The service technicians and mechanics will not have to be
re-trained and parts inventory practices will carry over to the
new drum brakes.
Q. Can I use air disc brakes to meet the stopping distance
regulations even if they are not required?
A. Yes, air disc brakes can be utilized to meet the new regulation.
Meritor WABCO will have a full array of air disc brake
products available.
July 2009
Important Factors You
Need to Know about
the Stopping Distance
Regulation Change
o Meritor® Q PlusTM drum brakes
will meet the new requirements
o The first phase of the new
regulation is effective
August 1, 2011
o The new regulations affect
tractors only; the use of air disc
brakes is not mandated to meet
Phase I stopping distances
o Existing vehicles are not
affected
S A F E T Y
NEW STOPPING DISTANCE REGULATIONS
"ANSWERS" FROM THE BRAKE LEADERS
Q. Will the new rule affect single-unit trucks, buses or trailers?
A. No, the new regulations only affect tractors. Highway crash and fatality data for heavy vehicles show that
the majority of crashes involve tractors. While single-trucks, buses and trailers are not included in this rule,
on-going research by NHTSA may impact future stopping distance requirements for other air-braked vehicles.
Q. Will lightweight options be available with the new brake configurations?
A. Yes, ArvinMeritor will provide lightweight brake components including stamped spiders as well as our
X30TM steel shell drum.
Q. When will this new rule become effective?
A. The tractor stopping distance change is best summarized in the table below.
Q. What is the impact to my existing vehicles?
A. The new regulations do not affect existing vehicles. Only tractors built after the implementation date of
August 1, 2011 (or August 1, 2013, depending on vehicle configuration & GVWR) will be required to meet
the shorter stopping distances.
Q. How will tractor-trailer balance be affected?
A. ArvinMeritor recognized the need for high performance brake solutions on new tractors to work with existing
trailers. Our solutions have been developed to maintain tractor-trailer compatibility with existing trailer fleets.
The tractor will incur approximately five percent more of the braking workload, while the trailer will experience
a proportionate reduction in workload.
Q. What are the expected drum brake cost implications of meeting the new regulations?
A. There will be an incremental cost increase for enhanced drum brakes that meet the new regulations.
In studying the implications of the new regulations, NHTSA estimates that the incremental cost for drum
brakes on a typical three axle tractor would be $211 whereas the incremental costs to convert to disc
brakes at all wheel positions would be $1475.