Safer roads ahead require safer trailers behind.

“Trailers continue to evolve to be much more than boxes on wheels, from road-tested and fleet-proven technologies like antilock braking systems (ABS) and stability to connectivity, telematics, and tomorrow’s electronic braking capabilities,” said Jon Intagliata, director, product group–trailer control, Bendix. “They’re an integral factor in fleet and driver safety equations, and they’re driving business growth as fleets recognize the benefits of connectivity and telematics.”

In the past five years, Bendix has seen significant growth in adoption of Bendix ABS and its family of trailer roll stability programs (TRSP), Bendix TABS (Trailer Antilock Braking Systems), as more fleets equip them standard. These systems use sensors and wheel-end controls to detect conditions that may lead to a rollover and then intervene through brake applications, typically before the driver realizes an intervention is needed. Single-channel configurations are usually built on an antilock braking system configuration of two sensors and one modulator (2S/1M), while multichannel TRSPs address different demands and are easier to install on vehicles with ABS systems that are already built with multiple sensor-and-modulator configurations, such as 2S/2M or 4S/2M.

“We’ve also seen growing interest in our pad wear sensing technology, which makes fleets aware of end-of-life conditions before expensive components – like rotors – are damaged and allows them to proactively schedule maintenance,” Intagliata said.

EBS differs from ABS in that brake pressure is controlled electronically on every brake application instead of using a pneumatic signal. These controls enable EBS to deliver new brake system features, including smoother braking, and improved brake balance and feel across different load conditions.

Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems is a North American provider for the development and manufacture of active safety, air management, and braking solutions for commercial vehicles. As a part of Knorr-Bremse, Bendix is committed to developing trailer technologies that help support safer roads in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and around the world.