Brake testing with a skid-plate tester

NOTE: This section should be read in conjunction with the equipment manufacturer’s instructions.

Using a skid-plate tester, check the deceleration rates and retardation forces on each axle in accordance with the manufacturer’s test procedure.

Reasons for rejection

• There is more than 30% difference in the brake force between the wheels on any same axle;

• The service braking system decelerates the vehicle at less than the performance requirements specified
  

• In other than ADR 35 vehicles, or vehicles fitted with a tandem master cylinder/dual circuit brakes, the emergency brake decelerates the vehicle at less than the performance requirements specified
  

• Where ADR 35 applies, or vehicles fitted with a tandem master cylinder/dual circuit brakes, the parking brake does not provide any retardation.

Automotive Parts And Components

The automotive parts and components industry in KwaZulu- Natal consists of approximately 100 firms, employing 18,000 workers, and contributes an estimated 1.3% to the province's gross geographic product. The industry produces a wide range of components for the OEM market and the after-sales spare parts market. Products include glass, brake components, looms, hoses and piping, rims, springs, exhausts, pressings and castings, and belts and accessories.

The motor industry development programme (MIDP) has been in existence for a number of years, providing the framework of government policy within which the automotive sector can rationalise its imports, exports and local production. The MIDP attempts to rationalise the number of models assembled locally and to increase exports of fully assembled vehicles and components.

The MIDP as currently structured is scheduled to continue until 2007. In view of the long product development cycles in the auto industry, current uncertainty on the official future policy position is a possible deterrent to expansion.

Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF)

A diesel particulate filter (DPF) is similar to a diesel oxidation catalyst and is one of the two major technologies being employed to meet the 2007 emissions regulations. A DPF is considered a “flow-through’ device whereby the exhaust is forced through a honeycomb shaped, ceramic filter that is blocked at one end. Because of this design, it is important to monitor the exhaust back pressure and ensure the DPF is cleaned properly so that the filter does not become blocked. Most filters are designed to clean themselves (referred to as passive regeneration) but this requires an elevated engine temperature to burn off the trapped PM. For vehicles that don’t meet the minimum temperature requirements, the filter will trigger what’s referred to as an ‘active regeneration event’. This means that some diesel fuel will be allowed to pass through the engine un-combusted and will be burnt over the catalyst, allowing the PM within the filter to be burned away. One major difference between the DOC and DPF is that the DPF requires the use of ultra low sulfur diesel (ULSD) fuel with sulfur content at or below 15 parts per million. Emission reductions are approximately 50 - 90% for PM, 90% for hydrocarbons and 90% for carbon monoxide.

Test the light transmittance level of the windscreen and front side windows

NOTE: This section should be read in conjunction with the equipment manufacturers' instructions.

The light meter may have up to a 5% measuring inaccuracy. A vehicle may be accepted if the readings are up to 5% lower than the minimum light transmittance.

The light transmission requirements do not apply to a tinted or opaque band at the top of the windscreen, provided they are above the arc swept by the windscreen wipers, or 10% of the depth of the windscreen whichever is the greater.

Check lights and reflectors

1. Compulsory reflectors are damaged, obscured, deteriorated or are not fitted;
2. Any of the following lights are inoperative, obscured, deteriorated insecure or not fitted where required, or are an incorrect colour:
• headlight (high/low beam) (white);
• park or side lights (white);
• tail lights (red);
• brake lights (red);
• reversing lights (where fitted);
• turn signal indicator lights (yellow);
• clearance/end outline marker lights (white/yellow to front, red to rear);
• number plate light (white);
• side marker lights (yellow);
• compulsory tell-tale lights.

Check cabin and body condition

1. Any structural member of a body, cabin or chassis such as a crossmember, door sill, pillar, seat or seat belt anchorage, roof rail and floor panel is cracked, broken or corroded to an extent that weakens the strength of the vehicle, or allows the entry of engine fumes into an occupant space;
2. Any cabin, body, sleeper compartment, load carrying area or compartment is loose on the chassis or has missing fasteners;
3. Any tilting cabin or tray does not have a positive latching device that secures it in its normal travelling position;
4. Any door, gate, hatch, bonnet or compartment latch, latch control, or hinge is damaged, excessively worn, insecure or inoperative in any latching position.

Check wheels and rims

1. wheel or rim:

• is loose;
• is cracked;
• is buckled;
• has pieces of casting missing;
• has elongated stud holes;
• has weld repairs not in accordance with relevant industry practice.

1. Any wheel contacts unrelated vehicle components at any point through its full range of travel;
2. Spiders have cracks across a spoke, hub or web area;
3. Wheels are not compatible with hubs;
4. Valve protection lugs are missing.
   

Check tow bar

• The towbar is not securely mounted or is bent or cracked;

• Any mounting bolts, fasteners or weld beads have advanced corrosion or cracks;

• Where ADR 62 applies the tow bar and towing ring does not display the manufacturer’s name/trademark, the gross mass rating and the make and model of the vehicle/s for which it is designed;

• Where any part of the tow bar is removable, the bolts, studs, nuts etc fastening those parts do not have a locking device such as a U-clip, split pin, spring washer or nylon lock nut.

Check steering components inside cabin

• Steering wheel is not located in the centre or to the right hand side of the vehicle unless specifically authorised in writing by the State or Territory licensing authority and the vehicle is less than 15 years old;

• The steering wheel is loose on the shaft;

• The steering column is insecure;

• The steering wheel structure is fractured or the hub, rim or spokes are loose.

Safety Belts Save Lives and Dollars

• In 2003, safety belts saved society an estimated $63 billion in medical care, lost productivity, and other injury-related costs. In this same year, the needless deaths and injuries from safety belt nonuse caused an estimated $18 billion in economic costs to society.

• It is estimated safety belts saved more than 14,900 lives in the United States in 2003. Yet, during this same year, 56 percent of passenger vehicle occupants killed in traffic crashes were unrestrained. If all passenger vehicle occupants (over 4 years old) wore safety belts, more than 6,000 additional lives could have been saved.

• Research has shown that lap/shoulder belts, when used properly, reduce the risk of fatal injury to front-seat passenger car occupants by 45 percent and the risk of moderate to critical injury by 50 percent. For light-truck occupants, safety belts reduce the risk of fatal injury by 60 percent and moderate-to-critical injury by 65 percent.

• belts should always be worn, even when riding in vehicles equipped with air bags. Air bags are designed to work with safety belts, not alone. In 2003, an estimated 2,488 lives were saved by air bags.

Graduated Licensing Can Help

Teenagers perceive a driver’s license as a ticket to freedom.It’s momentous for parents, too. Though they are oftenaware of 16-year-olds’ high crash risks, they’re relieved not to have to chauffeur their children around anymore. But the price is steep. Crashes are the leading cause of death among American teens, accounting for more than one third of all deaths of 16- to 18-year-olds.

An effective way to reduce this toll is to enact graduated licensing, under which driving privileges are phased in to restrict beginners’ initial experience behind the wheel to lower-risk situations. The restrictions gradually are lifted, so teenagers are more experienced and mature when they get their full, unrestricted licenses.

Graduated systems that are well designed restrict night driving, limit teen passengers, set zero alcohol tolerance, and require a specified amount of supervised practice during the initial phase. Graduated licensing laws have reduced teens’ crash rates in the United States, Canada, and New Zealand. But not all States have such laws, and the laws aren’t all strong.

Visually inspect externally mounted containers

On vehicles less than 4।5 tonnes tare mass or where the chassis has 600mm ground clearance or less:

1. the tank, or any tank component, has less than 200mm ground clearance;
2. the tank, or any tank component, is not a minimum 200mm inboard of the original equipment bumper bars (measured on the centreline of the vehicle);
   

NOTE: If a bumper bar is not fitted, the measurement should be taken from the extremity of the permanent body work।

Check fuel tanks and system for leaks (nonLPG/CNG)

1. Any leakage from the fuel system;
2. Fuel lines are in contact with moving parts or a heat source, are kinked, cracked or not secure;
3. Fuel tanks are not securely mounted, straps, supports, mounting brackets or fasteners are missing, cracked, broken or loose;
4. Fuel filler cap is missing or not suitable for the type of tank;
5. Fuel filler cap seal is damaged or missing.

 

Service brake test with a decelerometer

NOTE1: Decelerometer standards should be read in conjunction with the equipment manufacturer's specification.

On some vehicles with light axle loads, or when testing in wet weather, it might be difficult to obtain a brake test result because of wheel lockup. In these cases the pedal pressure should be reduced to a point where only the minimum specified deceleration rates are achieved.

Set up a suitable decelerometer in the vehicle cabin. Drive the vehicle to a speed of at least 30 km/h. If the vehicle has a manual transmission, put the transmission into neutral, (automatic transmission vehicles may remain in gear). With hands on the steering wheel, bring the vehicle to a halt as rapidly as possible in a safe manner with one sustained and smooth application of the service brakes.

Reasons for rejection

1. The application of the brakes causes the vehicle to swerve from a straight line path;
2. The service braking system decelerates the vehicle at less than the performance requirement

Check air compressor/vacuum pump

Reasons for rejection

• The air compressor or vacuum pump has loose mounting bolts, or cracked or broken mounting brackets, braces or adaptors, or is inoperative;

• Drive pulleys are cracked, broken or loose;

• Drive belts are loose, cracked through to reinforcing plies, extensively frayed or missing drive sections.

Check windscreen wipers, demisters and washers

Reasons for rejection

1. The windscreen wipers are inoperative on any speed;
2. Wiper blade rubbers are cracked, hardened, frayed, curled, torn or missing;
3. Windscreen washers are inoperative or incorrectly aimed (where applicable);
4. Windscreen demister is inoperative or does not blow air onto the windscreen (where applicable);
5. The windscreen washer is not able to be operated from a normal driving position.

Check headlights

Reasons for rejection

• Headlight reflector is tarnished or peeling to the extent that headlight performance is impaired;

• Headlight lens is cracked or broken;

• Headlight assembly is not secured or is out of position;

• Headlight does not show while light.

Check number plates

Reasons for rejection

• Any number plate is obscured, for example by a towing attachment, goose neck or tow ball;

• number plate cover is tinted, reflective, rounded or bubble like;

• Any number plate is not issued or approved by the State or Territory Road Transport authority, is damaged or faded to the extent that the registration number is not legible from a distance of five metres;

• The number plates are not substantially parallel to the vehicles axles.

Check wheel/ rim fasteners

Reasons for rejection

• The wheel nut does not fully engage the thread of the wheel stud or the fitting of the wheel nut does not match the taper of the wheel stud hole;

• Any hub has missing, cracked, stripped or broken wheel mounting nuts, studs or bolts;

• Fasteners are not of the correct type for the wheel being used or allow a rim to slip on its spider.

Check tow bar

• The towbar is not securely mounted or is bent or cracked;

• Any mounting bolts, fasteners or weld beads have advanced corrosion or cracks;

• Where ADR 62 applies the tow bar and towing ring does not display the manufacturer’s name/trademark, the gross mass rating and the make and model of the vehicle/s for which it is designed;

• Where any part of the tow bar is removable, the bolts, studs, nuts etc fastening those parts do not have a locking device such as a U-clip, split pin, spring washer or nylon lock nut.

Note: Always check the underside of drawbar and drawbar eye for excessive wear and cracks.

Strong Safety Belt Laws Can Make a Difference

• There are two types of safety belt laws: primary and secondary. A primary safety belt law allows a law enforcement officer to stop a vehicle and issue a citation when the officer simply observes an unbelted driver or passenger. A secondary safety belt law means that a citation for not wearing a safety belt can only be written after the officer stops the vehicle for another infraction.
  

• Primary safety belt laws are much more effective in increasing safety belt use, because people are more likely to buckle up when there is the perceived risk of receiving a citation for not doing so.19 In 2003, the average safety belt use rate in States with primary enforcement laws was 11 percentage points higher than in States without primary enforcement laws.
  

• Most teens support primary enforcement safety belt laws. In 2003, a nationwide survey was conducted to determine attitudes regarding primary enforcement safety belt laws. Of those young people 16 to 20 years of age who were surveyed, 64 percent voiced their support for primary enforcement laws.
  

• of the strongest predictors of safety belt use among young drivers is a State's safety belt law. From 1998 to 2002, teenage (16-19 years old) driver belt use was significantly lower in crashes occurring in States allowing only secondary enforcement (30 percent) than in crashes occurring in primary law States (49 percent).

Restrict passengers

Teen passengers in a vehicle can distract a beginning driver and/or lead to greater risk-taking.Because young drivers often transport their friends, there’s a teen passenger problem as well as a teen driver problem. About 6 of every 10 teenage passenger deaths (59%) during 2003 occurred in crashes with a teen driver. While night driving with passengers is particularly lethal, many fatal crashes with teen passengers occur during the day.The best policy is to restrict teenage passengers, especially multiple teens, all the time.

Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF)

A diesel particulate filter (DPF) is similar to a diesel oxidation catalyst and is one of the two major technologies being employed to meet the 2007 emissions regulations. A DPF is considered a “flow-through’ device whereby the exhaust is forced through a honeycomb shaped, ceramic filter that is blocked at one end. Because of this design, it is important to monitor the exhaust back pressure and ensure the DPF is cleaned properly so that the filter does not become blocked. Most filters are designed to clean themselves (referred to as passive regeneration) but this requires an elevated engine temperature to burn off the trapped PM. For vehicles that don’t meet the minimum temperature requirements, the filter will trigger what’s referred to as an ‘active regeneration event’. This means that some diesel fuel will be allowed to pass through the engine un-combusted and will be burnt over the catalyst, allowing the PM within the filter to be burned away. One major difference between the DOC and DPF is that the DPF requires the use of ultra low sulfur diesel (ULSD) fuel with sulfur content at or below 15 parts per million. Emission reductions are approximately 50 - 90% for PM, 90% for hydrocarbons and 90% for carbon monoxide.

Safety Effectiveness of Speed Limiters

Understanding speed as a highway safety issue necessitates accurately defining the relationships between speed limits, travel speeds, and safety. Additional data is needed to evaluate adaptive speed control systems for altering vehicle speed based on roadway conditions and the appropriate speed limit. Joining before-and-after test focusing on the safety benefits of adaptive speed systems provides an important opportunity for FMCSA and carriers to work together on research design and implementation efforts, with the shared objective of improving safety. This type of testing requires a commensurate effort to collect and share valuable data. In addition, FMCSA would facilitate testing and information sharing by developing a systematic way to collect and evaluate data from before-and-after testing that would typically exceed the available resources of industry stakeholders. As a result, the purpose of this project is to identify safety impacts of adaptive speed control technologies for adjusting vehicle speed to the posted speed limit. This project will be conducted in cooperation with NHTSA and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).