Electronic Braking Faces a Tough Sell in the U.S.

img src="/sites/default/files/images/articles/printeditiontag_new.gif" width=120 align=right>Using electronic signals instead of compressed air to actuate heavy truck brakes opens a realm of new possibilities. Electronically controlled brake systems (ECBS), commonly referred to as "brake by wire," promise far greater control and modulation of braking at individual wheels, some vehicle engineers say.

Brake by wire not a new idea. A small number of ECBS-equipped trucks have been operating on North American roads since the early 1990s. And in Europe, a large percentage of new tractors and trailers are now being equipped with ECBS.

But the widespread use of brake-by-wire technology in North America may be years away, according to experts. A key limitation: Current federal rules would, in effect, force the inclusion of a redundant air-actuated brake system with ECBS, adding cost and complexity to the installation.