Last Friday (22 April 2016), DVSA (the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency) issued full guidance on the new measure, which amends the existing Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness and offers detailed minimum requirements for EBPMS and their use.
Key points include that: the system must be capable of analysing braking data over time and producing a ‘braking performance value’; it must alert the operator to under-performing service brakes; braking performance must be compared against statutory requirements for the type of vehicle or trailer fitted; and, to enable EBPMS to be used as evidence for preventative maintenance and safety inspection systems, it should also identify the position of defective brakes.
DVSA makes the point that it does not specifically approve EBPMS software or hardware, but does acknowledge an industry standard specification for EBPMS, which, importantly, “may be used to supplement the operators’ maintenance arrangements”.
Ultimately, however, DVSA says reaffirms that it is the operators’ responsibility “to ensure their vehicles are operated in a safe condition at all times, that the maintenance system used is fit for their ... circumstances and meets the undertakings of the O licence”.
That puts the onus on manufacturers of modern braking systems that include EBPMS to demonstrate that their systems adequately monitor and report braking performance.
The new guidance also specifically states that they must conform with the new industry standard specification at https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploa... , which was developed with the IRTE (Institute of Road Transport Engineers), Axscend, CV Braking, Haldex, Knorr Bremse and TIP Trailer Services.