The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has issued a final rule establishing pass/fail criteria that will allow government and fleet inspectors to use performance-based brake testers (PBBTs) to measure braking performance of commercial vehicles.

PBBTs are expected to save time, and their use could increase the number of vehicles that can be inspected in a given time.
"We need to take advantage of new technology to help reduce the number of fatalities related to truck and bus crashes," said Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta. "This new safety technology can help prevent crashes by ensuring that trucks and buses have sufficient braking capacity."
A PBBT assesses vehicle-braking capability by measuring brake forces at each wheel or by measuring overall vehicle brake performance in a controlled test. This final rule means that certified roller dynamometers, breakaway torque testers, and flat-plate testers, all of which measure brake force,can be used to measure brake compliance and help determine whether a truck or bus's brakes comply with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations.
Only PBBTs that meet specifications developed by the FMCSA can be used to determine compliance with the FMCSR. The new rule does not replace existing brake performance requirements, but provides an alternative testing method to the little-used 20-mph stopping-distance test that requires a testing site with adequate space requirements.
Under the FMCSA specifications, a PBBT manufacturer self-certifies that its device meets specifications and also states which specifications, if any, it does not meet. A PBBT that is certified to meet FMCSA specifications is eligible for federal funding under the Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP).
The new rule applies to all commercial motor vehicles and combinations weighing over 10,000 pounds, and is effective on Feb. 5, 2003. The six-month period is intended to allow time to establish standard test procedures, operator training, and brake repair guidelines. Details can be found at http://dms.dot.gov. The docket number is FHWA-1999-6266.