Specifications

Brake assessment manual Ver 1.0 Published October 2013 10 (48 pages)
done correctly, and relate to the vehicle being assessed. If necessary, the licensed certifier
should observe the tests.
Appendix 4 provides an example of how a plate-type brake test machine can be used to do
the basic and additional tests. At the time of writing, data was only available for this type of
brake test machine. Additional appendices will be developed when data from other machines
types become available. A manufacturer or supplier who would like a particular type of
machine can make a submission to
roadsafety@transport.nsw.gov.au.
Other tests can be done statically, namely:
Test A: Reservoir volume.
Test C: Park brake.
The licensed certifier must supervise these tests.
Road tests
If the tests required by the licensed certifier need to be done on a road or a road-type test
facility, the conditions specified under ‘Method 4 – Road tests’ apply.
Method 4 – Road tests
General
There are few details available of the brakes standards that were used before the
introduction of ADR 31 Brake systems for passenger cars in 1977. For this reason, the tests
specified in Appendix 5 are derived from ADR 31/00 and ADR 31/01 which contain the least
onerous tests. The tests have been modified considerably so they can be applied to all
vehicles, regardless of their date of manufacture, and to make the tests affordable and
practicable while retaining safety. For more information about the rationale used to develop
the test schedule, refer to Appendix 6.
The key elements of the test schedule are:
In most cases, fewer repeat runs are required than otherwise specified in the ADR.
The tests’ speeds have been reduced from those specified in the ADRs, with only the
most extensive modifications requiring tests to be done at a maximum speed of 100 km/h.
Most tests can be done at 80km/h or as low as 60km/h.
The applicable tests for the different modifications are given in Table 3 and described in
Appendix 5. Appendix 7 has variations that apply to N Category and certain M Category
vehicles. If a vehicle has been subjected to combination of modifications, some test items
may be duplicated; in such circumstances, it is not necessary to duplicate any test item, but
the combination of the test items is carried out.
The reduced test speeds and the reduced number of test runs required mean it may be
possible to test some modified vehicles on public roads, under controlled conditions. If it is
intended to do tests on a public road, approval to do so must first be obtained from the
authority responsible for the road: for local roads, this will be the local council, while for state
roads it will be the Roads and Maritime Services. Application to do tests on a public road
must identify the stretch of road where it is proposed to do the tests and a risk assessment
that explains why it is suitable for the tests. If approval to do the tests is granted by the road
authority, it may be subject to conditions, such as the use of accredited traffic controllers. All
conditions must be implemented.
For tests that cannot be done on the public road, including those that require the vehicle to
exceed posted speed limits, suitable venues must be used.
Modifying the vehicle