Specifications
Brake assessment manual Ver 1.0 Published October 2013 11 (48 pages)
The modifier should install the brake component using the checklist provided at Appendix 3.
Competence of drivers
The vehicle should be driven by a person capable of efficiently achieving the specified test
conditions.
Test equipment
It is important that appropriate equipment is used to measure and record test-critical data.
The following types of equipment must be used as a minimum:
• except for modifications 6-10 (see Table 1), an inertial type direct reading deceleration
meter that is capable of reading the mean fully developed deceleration;
• a pedal force gauge;
• a device such as a fifth wheel or GPS for measuring speed.
Note: The vehicle’s speedometer should not be used for any of the tests as it may not be sufficiently
accurate.
The equipment used must function correctly and, where applicable, be correctly calibrated
and be within specified calibration periods at the time of testing, and records available to
verify this. The equipment must be capable of recording the relevant test data for verification
and audit purposes.
Test conditions
The following conditions apply:
• If the tests are to be done on a public road, the necessary approval must have been
obtained from the applicable road authority. All stipulated controls must be complied with,
with pre-test controls implemented before the start of the tests.
• Apart from Test I, all dynamic tests must be conducted on a dry and level road which has
a sealed surface or which has another surface affording good adhesion, i.e. with a
coefficient of friction of 0.6 or higher for a dry surface.
• The road must be sufficiently long and straight to enable the full range of the tests be
carried out safely, and must have sufficient run-off to allow for brake failure during testing.
• The tyres are to be cold (i.e. at ambient temperature) and inflated to the recommended
pressure required for the vehicle to operate safely at its design load/speed.
• Unless otherwise specified, the vehicle must be at its maximum loaded test mass for each
test.
• The test mass should be distributed in accordance with load conditions defined in
Appendix 1 and, where appropriate, be distributed across the axles in accordance with the
vehicle's manufacturer’s specifications.
• The vehicle’s transmission must be disconnected for each test unless otherwise specified.
• When testing, the general behaviour of the vehicle during braking must be checked and,
unless otherwise specified, each test result must be obtained without abnormal vibrations
and without the vehicle:
– locking its wheels at speeds exceeding 15 km/h
– deviating from a 3.5 m wide lane
– exceeding a yaw angle of 15 degrees.
• If the maximum speed of the vehicle is lower than the speed prescribed for a particular
test, the test shall be performed at the vehicle's maximum speed.