ELECTRONIC BRAKING: THE WAY OF THE FUTURE

The future of transport gets smarter and safer every year, especially as more and more heavy and commercial vehicle manufacturers make the move to electronic braking systems (EBS).   What was once only seen in heavy duty trucks, this technology is now moving into the medium duty domain.   EBS is the next evolutionary jump in brake technology. The smart brakes can not only stop a heavy vehicle safer and more quickly and it’s all done with a consistent pedal force. A clear advantage over the traditional full air (FA) brake technology used in many trucks on Australian roads right now.   

DIFFERENT BRAKES FOR DIFFERENT MAKES  

Air brakes are a different system than a hydraulic brake system, commonly found in passenger cars.    Hydraulic brakes use liquid (brake fluid) to apply brake force, while air brakes use compressed air to stop the vehicle.    Air brakes are considered safer than hydraulic brakes for heavy vehicles because they’re more powerful and less likely to fail. They’re also more expensive to maintain and take up a lot more room than hydraulic brakes.    The first patent for air brakes was issued to American engineer George Westinghouse in 1869, when he was only 22 years old. George invented the new braking system after witnessing a train crash involving two trains whose drivers had seen each other but couldn’t stop in time.  

Great strides in brake technology have been made since then, and EBS has been used widely in trucks and heavy vehicles in Europe and Japan Since early in this century and is now filtering further into the Isuzu range.   EBS gives the driver a constant pedal feel and top braking performance, regardless of load.   Controlling the braking speed of each wheel individually prevents the wheels locking up.    For the layman, the same brake pedal force and travel is needed to stop an empty truck as a fully loaded heavy rigid vehicle or combination.  

BUILT IN FAILSAFE  

In the highly unusual case where the electronic braking system fails, a full air backup brake system will take over.    EBS can also make maintenance more efficient and reduce downtime, with the system able to track wear and even warn about impending failures.    This new braking technology will be the way of the future and, as an industry first in Australia is already a standard feature on Isuzu’s new FSR, FTR and FV medium and heavy-duty models. Learn more about the technology and safety enhancements of Isuzu’s 2022 F series range.