Interpretation ID: 7437
Director ARAI
The Automotive Research Association of India
Survey No. 102
Vetal Hill
Off Paud Road, Kothrud
Pune-411 004 India
Dear Mr. Chaudhari:
This responds to your letter requesting the testing procedure for and test results of vehicles equipped with anti-skid brake systems. These systems are also referred to as anti-lock brake systems. You also requested the addresses of equipment manufacturers that produce anti-lock brake systems. I am pleased to have this opportunity to provide you information about this topic.
By way of background information, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) does not provide approvals of motor vehicles or motor vehicle equipment. Under the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act ("Safety Act"), it is the responsibility of the manufacturer to ensure that its vehicles or equipment comply with applicable standards issued by this agency. A manufacturer then certifies that its vehicles or equipment comply with the applicable standards. I am enclosing a copy of an information sheet entitled, "Information for New Manufacturers of Motor Vehicles and Motor Vehicle Equipment," which explains a manufacturer's responsibility under NHTSA's regulation.
I am also enclosing a copy of the two safety standards issued by NHTSA that apply to brake systems: Standard No. 105, Hydraulic Brake Systems (49 CFR 571.105) and Standard No. 121, Air Brake Systems (49 CFR 571.121). These standards are intended to insure the safe braking performance of vehicles under normal and emergency conditions. Vehicle manufacturers are required to certify that vehicles they manufacture comply with these performance-oriented standards. Nothing in these standards currently specifies that vehicles be equipped with an anti- lock device. For your information, the agency is considering proposing additional requirements that might require medium and heavy duty vehicles to be equipped with anti-lock brake systems. A copy of that notice is enclosed (57 FR 24212, June 8, 1992). In addition, the agency has issued a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking in which the agency is considering whether to harmonize its passenger car brake standard with international standards. (56 FR 30528, July 3, 1991). A copy of that notice is also enclosed.
With respect to your request for test results related to anti-lock brake performance, I am enclosing the agency's most recent report on this topic. It is entitled "Improved Brake Systems for Commercial Motor Vehicles."
With respect to your inquiry requesting the addresses of equipment manufacturers, the agency is unable to provide such information. The following associations may be able to help you obtain this information:
Motor Vehicle Manufacturers Association 7430 Second Avenue, Suite 300, Detroit, MI 48202 (Telephone No. 313-872-4311, Fax No. 313-872-5400)
Brake System Parts Manufacturers Council 300 Sylvan Avenue P.O. Box 1638 Englewood Cliffs, N.J. 07632-0638 (Tel. No. 201-569-8500, Fax No. 569-0159)
I hope this information is helpful. If you have any further questions about NHTSA's safety standards, please feel free to contact Marvin Shaw of my staff at this address or by telephone at (202) 366-2992. The fax number is (202) 366- 3820.
Sincerely,
Paul Jackson Rice Chief Counsel
Enclosures
Ref:105#121 d:8/12/92