Antilock Brakes

Antilock Brakes

Antilock brakes are impressive performers on the test track and in television

advertising. What has surprised a lot of people is that anti-lock brakes are not reducing the

frequency or cost of accidents. This is the case despite the obvious benefits of antilock brakes in

test situations. The reason why anti-locks are not making the expected and much projected

difference is because many drivers lack the knowledge and experience need to use ABS (Anti-lock

Braking System) effectively. I. Introduction A. What are ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) B.

Popularity of ABS II. What ABS do and don’t do A. In normal breaking conditions B. In

conditions such as: rain, snow, ice C. Why don’t ABS work so well on dry roads III.

Understanding ABS A. How ABS works B. Wheel Slip IV. Testing/Findings/Conclusion A.

Testing of ABS vs. Conventional Brakes B. Test results C. Conclusion ABS (Anti-lock Brake

System): WHAT THEY CAN AND CANNOT DO I. Introduction Antilock brakes are impressive

performers on the test track and in television advertising. The idea behind anti-lock brakes is

simple. Anti-lock brakes are designed to prevent skidding and help drivers maintain steering

control during an emergency-braking situation, by automatically pumping the brakes for the driver

to prevent wheel lock. Because the wheels are kept from locking up, the driver is able to better

control the vehicle. What has surprised a lot of people is that anti-lock brakes are not reducing the

frequency or cost of accidents. This is the case despite the obvious benefits of antilock brakes in

test situations. Antilock brakes have become very popular with the public. Forty-three percent of

the 1993 model cars came equipped with them and the ratio for 1994 models is eighty percent.

This brings the total number of cars on the road today with anti-locks to about 18,000,000. Much

of the increase is because of the growing safety reputation antilock brakes forged on the test track.

This reputation has been inflated by car commercials that imply anti-locks can prevent crashes

because of better stopping power under all conditions. Consumers very often haven't been shown

cars with anti-locks performing on surfaces tha...

... middle of paper ...

...ses are: be alert, allow enough stopping distance, and understand your car's safety

technology.

Bibliography:

ANNONATIVE BIBOLGRAPHY ACT Traffic Handbook-Part D Road Craft Online. Internet. 05

April 2000. Available at http://www.act.gov.au/living/roads/traffic/ptdr. html Provided tips and information on how to be a safe and smarter driver.

Car Safety Magazine Highway Loss Data Institute. (1996). “Insurance losses of car equipped with ABS”. Online. Internet. 05 April 2000.Available at http://www.carsafety.org/sr.htm This article provided the testing and results of their

investigation, and of The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

CCJ’s Magazine Ross, Chris. (1996). March 1996 article “Anti-lock braking system”. Online. Internet. 05 April 2000.

Available at http://www.ccjmagazine.com/ABS.htm This article provided information of the

impact ABS had on the commercial vehicle industry. The Mad Scientist Popa, Adrian. (1998).

“How does the ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) work?” Online. Internet. 05 April 2000. Available at http://www.madscientist.com This article provides information on the computer systems that control ABS.