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Meritor WABCO Vehicle Control Systems Addresses Truck Braking

19 November 1998

Meritor WABCO Vehicle Control Systems President Addresses Advancements In Truck Braking at SAE Truck & Bus Expo

    INDIANAPOLIS, Nov. 18 -- The evolution of braking systems
will not only continue, but will accelerate in upcoming years, according to
Leonard C. Buckman, president of Meritor WABCO Vehicle Control Systems, North
America's leading supplier of heavy duty anti-lock braking systems (ABS).
Buckman made this projection and highlighted the evolution of truck braking
and ABS today during the annual L. Ray Buckendale lecture at the 1998 SAE
Truck & Bus Meeting & Exposition in Indianapolis.
    Buckman noted that braking has evolved significantly in the 100-plus years
of motor driven commercial vehicles.  "The industry has seen a wide range of
stopping systems, from rubbing a block against a wheel rim introduced decades
ago to today's advanced, electronically controlled ABS," he said.  He added
that, as our population increases, the efficiency of transporting goods must
also increase.  "This demand is, and will continue to be, a driving force
behind the accelerating pace of braking advancements in the near future."
ABS technology supplements conventional air-braking systems used on trucks,
tractors and buses.  ABS works by monitoring wheel speed and modulating air
pressure in the brake chambers to prevent wheel lock-up during severe braking.
    In March 1997, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
mandated that all new air-braked tractors be equipped with ABS.  In March
1998, the mandate extended to all new air-braked trailers, trucks and buses.
In March 1999, all new hydraulic-braked vehicles over 10,000-lb Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating must also be equipped with ABS.  Buckman said that ABS provides
truck and bus operators with the following safety-related advantages over
conventional braking systems:

    *  Increased steerability under emergency braking conditions;
    *  Increased stability when stopping on icy or rain-slicked road surfaces
       and in curves;
    *  Decreased risk of tractor-trailer jackknifing;
    *  Shorter stopping distances under most conditions; and
    *  Reduced tire flatspotting, particularly on trailers.

    In fact, NHTSA estimates that the use of ABS on all heavy vehicles will
help prevent between 320 and 506 fatalities, between 15,900 and 27,413
injuries, and between $458 million and $553 million in property damage each
year.
    "So far, ABS technology has given truck operators a superior, unchallenged
tool to safely guide the stability of their vehicles," said Buckman.  "But we
understand that progress is really just beginning.  Technology will continue
to evolve with the future introductions of electronic 'brake-by-wire' systems
(EBS) and electronically-controlled stability systems (ECS)."
    Buckman said that EBS technology will integrate ABS and traction control
to expand the application of electronics to include total control of a
vehicle's braking system during both normal and emergency braking situations.
ECS technology will help control vehicle oversteer and understeer.
Meritor WABCO Vehicle Control Systems is a joint venture of Meritor Heavy
Vehicle Systems, LLC and the WABCO Automotive Products Group of
American Standard Companies, Inc. .
    Meritor Automotive, with 1998 sales of more than $3.8 billion, is a global
supplier of a broad range of components and systems for commercial, specialty
and light vehicles, and the aftermarket.  Meritor consists of two businesses:
Heavy Vehicle Systems, a leading supplier of drivetrain systems and components
for medium- and heavy-duty trucks, trailers and off-highway equipment and
specialty vehicles, including military, bus and coach, and fire and rescue;
and Light Vehicle Systems, a major supplier of roof, door, access control and
seat adjusting systems, electric motors and electronic controls, suspension
systems and wheels for passenger cars, light trucks and sport utility
vehicles.

    Stopping Distance Improvements  --  ABS vs. Conventional Air Brakes

    SURFACE                  WITH ABS     WITHOUT ABS

    Concrete                53.1 feet       90.7 feet
    Snow                   178.9 feet      215.8 feet
    Split Ice/Concrete     143.1 feet      238.4 feet
    Ice                    426.5 feet      455.8 feet