Antilock braking equipment for heavy duty vehicles and its evolutions within European regulation.

Emergency braking of heavy goods vehicles can be a dangerous manoeuvre, especially on wet or icy roads. Antilock devices have been developed by manufacturers to overcome wheel lock, loss of the trajectory control, jackknifing, and movement of trailers. EEC Directives exist (EEC Directive 85 /647). The regulations stipulate that a braking efficiency is maintained, good stability, low compressed air consumption and no wheel locking. Directive 85 /647 includes a new appendix on testing antilock equipment, and antilock systems are classified into three categories, based on performance.