We got a closer look at the TEBS system at Knorr-Bremse’s Drive Day, from Technical Sales and Business Development Manager Darren Hillson.
We got more information from engineer Desmond Chin, Aftersales Manager Rachel Michaud, Technical Services Manager QLD/NSW Ewen Campbell and Lead Applications Engineer Alex Biviano at the Australian Trucking Association’s Technology and Maintenance Conference.
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One of the demonstrations showed the powerful benefits of electronic braking in reducing heavy vehicle stopping distance. This was done by showcasing the difference in brake timing between an electronically vs. pneumatically braked heavy vehicle road-train on custom made electronic timing boards.
Leveraging electronic braking via Trailer Roadtrain Modules (TRMs) and TEBS, a 0.6 second advantage in brake timing compared to pneumatic braking could be observed. When travelling at 100km/s per hour, this is 16.8 metres difference before the last trailer in the combination is braking – more than half the length of your average B-double.
The systems have already advanced significantly from when the first electronic trailer braking systems were introduced to the industry.
“In 2019, Roll Stability Control was mandated on trailers, essentially mandating TEBS,” Alex explains.
“Not only does it give you Roll Stability Program (RSP), but it also gives you several auxiliary functions that are complicated to realise without it.”
These functions include steer axle lock, auxiliary power outputs, lift axle control and electronic suspension control.
“The biggest benefit relevant to the Australian market is the electronic brake signal” Alex says.
“You get significantly faster brake timing, both on the apply and release of the brake pedal, and the signal to each trailer is the same without any influence from crack pressures in pneumatic valves.
“The Trailer Roadtrain Module has the main job of splitting and reassigning addresses to go between the local TEBS and the rear coupling that connects to the trailer. It’s essential in a TEBS trailer that’s going to tow another trailer.
“It’s been tested and effective for up to seven trailers in combination, including dollies.”
North American trucks can also be fitted with the TRM, to communicate electronically with the TEBS.
“It means each trailer gets the same signal at the same time,” Alex says.
ADVANCED DRIVER ASSISTANCE TECHNOLOGY
In addition to the ESP and TEBS safety systems, the Drive Day also offered the chance for us to look at the Bendix Fusion.
The Fusion handles Advanced Emergency Braking, or AEB, through various methods. This was shown off on a Kenworth K220, which was taken around the track following a car out in front.
Included in this system is Adaptive Cruise Control, which is adaptive to the various scenarios that the truck was put through when tracking the car.
The first and most obvious part of this is the view on the dash, which displays the speed and distance of the vehicle in front. This tells the driver that the system has detected a vehicle, and gives the driver some extra information to help judge a safe gap.
If the driver doesn’t react on time, the advanced emergency braking will activate before any sort of collision incident could happen. This system will also brake the trailer in these scenarios, increasing the effectiveness and stability of the system.
The driver demonstrated how the vehicle would act on a rapid approach, slowing down quickly after the speed of the car in front dropped.
It doesn’t just activate if the vehicle in front is stopped – the ACC will maintain speed for a safe distance if you hand the acceleration over to the system. With its camera technology, it will track vehicles it is following over hills and corners, not just directly in front.
The activation of the advanced emergency braking was incredibly smooth, even when quickly dropping from as fast as 60km/h to a stop.
Cameras and radar systems are continuing to play an increasingly larger part in truck and trailer safety. Another radar system showcased at the event was Knorr-Bremse’s iReverse which is a radar mounted to the back of a trailer.
Business Development Manager OE Trailer Chris Dudfield demonstrated how the system is able to recognise obstructions behind the trailer while reversing and how the system will apply the brakes before a possible collision.
Companies like Knorr-Bremse are offering the chance to get a look at and understand these kinds of safety technologies as new ADR mandates continue to roll out, with more coming across 2025.
