The Future of Air Disc Brakes
Sometimes, even if a product has a lot of excellent benefits to offer, it doesn’t catch on right away. The adoption of air disc brakes on commercial trucks over drum brakes are a prime example of how that can happen.
Advantages of Air Disc Brakes
A major benefit of air disc brakes is that they require less maintenance than drum brakes. Since air disc brakes are able to provide even braking, the components are able to last longer. While air disc brakes typically have a higher upfront cost than drum brakes, that higher initial price can be offset by greater uptime and simpler maintenance. Compared to drum brakes, air disc brakes have longer service intervals and when service is needed, it can be completed in less time. The design of air disc brakes also helps reduce instances of other brake maintenance issues, such as rust jacking.
In terms of safety and performance, air discs offer greater trailer in-line stability and shorter stopping distances. Overall stopping distance depends on factors like a truck’s braking system, road conditions, and speed. However, it’s estimated that the stopping distance with air disc brakes is about 20–30 feet shorter than drum brakes. When used in conjunction with enhanced braking systems, air disc brakes can help reduce accidents and result in fewer CSA violations.
Obstacles to Air Disc Brake Adoption
The growing adoption of air disc brakes was jump started by a 2009 ruling from the NHTSA which mandated reducing the minimum stopping distance for commercial trucks by 30% by August 1, 2013. Prior to that, adoption in the United States had been slow to catch on. Air disc brakes had been more widely used on commercial trucks in Europe throughout the 1980s, largely due to differences between European and American brake manufacturers. In Europe, truck manufacturers would produce their own drum brakes which resulted in higher component costs because of the lack of standardization. Air disc brakes, while more expensive upfront, were still seen as a more effective solution. Since there were less variations in American-produced drum brakes, the lack of standardization was less of a factor in the United States than it was in Europe.
The Future of Air Disc Brakes
In the time since the NHTSA’s order went into effect in August 2013, air disc adoption has steadily grown. In addition to the mandate and the benefits related to maintenance and safety, adoption of air disc brakes in the United States has also been powered by decreasing prices.
In January 2022, Fleet Equipment Magazine reported that Dole estimates current air disc brake adoption for tractors at 40%, an increase of 20% from 2016, and that Meritor projects tractor air disc brake adoption to be approximately 60% by 2026.
