Experts Say New Braking Rule to Spark Tire, Sensor Changes
AS VEGAS — Officials of brake manufacturers Haldex and ArvinMeritor said a federal rule shortening the required stopping distance for new tractor-trailers by as much as 30% would spark changes in tire design and onboard sensors.
Their comments followed earlier remarks by other experts that the stopping-distance rule may curtail production of certain shorter wheelbase options on single drive-axle tractors, whose handling may suffer too much, given the expected stronger braking forces.
The focus here, however, during a session at the first-ever Heavy-Duty Aftermarket Week meeting and exposition, was on the rule’s broader effect.