Next week will be a busy one for commercial vehicle inspectors.
From September 11 to 17, law enforcement agencies across North America will conduct inspections on large trucks and buses to identify out-of-adjustment brakes, brake-system and anti-lock braking system violations as part of the Brake Safety Week.
This is an annual outreach and enforcement campaign designed to improve commercial motor vehicle (CMV) brake safety throughout North America. It is put by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA).
CVSA is a non-profit association comprised of local, state, provincial, territorial and federal commercial motor vehicle safety officials and industry representatives. It aims to achieve uniformity, compatibility and reciprocity of commercial motor vehicle inspections and enforcement by certified inspectors dedicated to driver and vehicle safety.
International Roadcheck
Brake-related violations comprised the largest percentage – representing 43 percent – of all out-of-service violations cited during CVSA’s 2015 International Roadcheck 2015.
International Roadcheck is the largest targeted enforcement program on commercial motor vehicles in the world. Nearly 17 trucks or buses are inspected, on average, every minute in Canada, the United States and Mexico during a 72-hour period.
Inspection focus
During Brake Safety Week, inspections are made of brake system components to identify loose or missing parts; air or hydraulic fluid leaks; worn linings, pads, drums or rotors; and other faulty brake system components. ABS malfunction indicator lamps are also checked.
Inspectors will inspect brake components and measure pushrod stroke where applicable. Defective or out-of-adjustment brakes will result in the vehicle being placed out of service.
PBBT
Many inspectors will be conducting Level I Inspections. In the 10 jurisdictions currently using performance-based brake tester (PBBT) equipment, vehicle braking efficiency will be measured.
PBBT equipment assesses the braking performance of a vehicle. This is done through direct measurements of the brake forces at each wheel end, axle or for the entire vehicle.
The equipment includes a slow speed roller dynamometer that measures total vehicle weight and total brake force from which braking efficiency is determined.
The minimum braking efficiency for trucks is 43.5 percent, required by U.S. federal regulation and the CVSA out-of-service criteria.
Level I Inspection
A Level I Inspection includes:
- Examination of driver’s license, medical examiner’s certificate and Skill Performance Evaluation (SPE) Certificate (if applicable).
- Alcohol and drugs.
- Driver’s record of duty status as required and hours of service.
- Seat belt.
- Vehicle inspection report(s) (if applicable).
- Brake systems.
- Coupling devices.
- Exhaust systems.
- Frames.
- Fuel systems.
Lighting devices (headlamps, tail lamps, stop lamps, turn signals and lamps/flags on projecting loads).
- Securement of cargo.
- Steering mechanisms.
- Suspensions.
- Tires.
- Wheels, rims and hubs; windshield wipers.
A comprehensive program
Outreach and educational efforts by CMV inspectors, participating motor carriers and others in the industry will also take place during Brake Safety Week.
Brake Safety Week is part of the Operation Airbrake program sponsored by CVSA in partnership with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
Operation Airbrake is a comprehensive program dedicated to improving commercial vehicle brake safety throughout North America. The goal is to reduce the number of highway crashes caused by faulty braking systems on commercial motor vehicles by conducting roadside inspections and educating drivers, mechanics, owner operators and others on the importance of proper brake inspection, maintenance and operation.
