History/Background
 This section contains documentation of the history of PBBTs in general, and the PBBT program in North America.
PBBT technology is neither new nor novel, nor is its use in enforcement. There are over 50,000 PBBTs in use in Europe, Asia and elsewhere in the world for enforcement as part of Periodic Technical Inspections (PTIs) and for in-service vehicle safety inspections. The first PBBT were pendulum-type decelerometers, and were in use in the early 1900s. The first roller dynamometer was patented in 1923. Flat plate testers were used in the United States in inspection stations in the 1950s.
The US DOT FMSCA has consistently involved the public in its development of PBBT technology for use in enforcement, as can be seen by the timeline contained in this section, and from the copies of the PBBT-related Federal Register Notices for both Functional Specifications
and for Rulemaking.
Background information on PBBTs can be found in the PBBT implementation brochure and Risk Topic No. F-22 from Zurich Insurance.
PBBT Timeline
 Download the PBBT Timeline - 1 page, 1.3MB
Functional Specifications
The FMCSA is announcing its final determination establishing functional specifications for performance-based brake testing machines purchased with Federal funds from the agency’s Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP). The FMCSA is nearing the completion of a multi-year research program to evaluate prototype performance-based brake testing technologies, including roller dynamometers, flat-plate testers, breakaway torque testers, an on-board electronic decelerometer, and an infrared brake temperature measurement system. To date, the FMCSA has determined that certain performance-based brake testing machines are eligible for funding under MCSAP, but only as screening and sorting devices in commercial vehicle inspections. The FMCSA is establishing generic functional specifications that will be applicable to a range of brake testing technologies. The States may use the functional specifications as guidelines to determine whether the purchase of a specific brake tester would be an eligible expense item under the MCSAP.
Continue reading the Department of Transportation, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's Guidelines for Development of Functional Specifications for Performance-Based Brake Testers Used to Inspect Commercial Motor Vehicles - 22 pages, 756K
Performance Regulations
The FMCSA amends the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) to establish pass/fail criteria for use with performance-based brake testers (PBBT), which measure the braking performance of commercial motor vehicles. A PBBT is a device that can assess vehicle braking capability through quantitative measure of individual wheel brake forces or overall vehicle brake performance in a controlled test. The specific types of PBBTs addressed in this rule are the roller dynamometer, breakaway torque tester, and flat-plate tester. Only those PBBTs that meet certain functional specifications, developed by FMCSA, can be used to enforce the FMCSRs. The final rule allows motor carriers and State and local enforcement officials to use PBBTs to determine compliance with existing brake performance requirements.
Continue reading the Department of Transportation, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's Brake Performance Requirements for Commercial Motor Vehicles Inspected by Performance-Based Brake
Testers - 20 pages, 68K
Risk Topics
 This Risk topic has been prepared by Zurich's Risk Services Department with the intent of providing information on new technology to fleet operators.
Whether directly or indirectly involved, all Fleet owners and drivers have experienced a vehicle accident where brake failure or braking inefficiency has been alleged. This claim is most commonly made by the unfortunate driver, although often viewed as simply an excuse. The cause of the accident is invariably determined to be "driver error", often after the vehicle has been checked out in the workshop of by an independent garage. But what if the driver was correct and there was a problem with the brakes on the vehicle or trailer?
The following does not seek to represent itself as a miracle cure, nor as the solution for all crashes and incidents; rather it is intended to provide information to fleets which will serve as an introduction to the use of Performance Based Brake Testers (PBBT) as a loss prevention tool.
Continue reading Risk Topics - 4 pages, 88K
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