ArvinMeritor announced this week that its portfolio of Meritor Q Plus drum brakes will enable North American truck operators to meet the recently issued U.S. government mandate for shortened stopping distance requirements.
The company said it has worked for more than three years to prepare the Q Plus product in anticipation of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s ruling, and that the Q Plus drum brake is currently undergoing the final phases of implementation testing to meet the new requirement.
According to NHTSA, the new standard requires a typical tractor-trailer traveling at 60 miles per hour come to a complete stop in 30 percent less distance (250 feet versus the existing standard of 355 feet). The new rule applies only to new truck tractors, and does not include single-unit trucks, trailers and buses. The new rule will be phased in over the next four years beginning with 2012 models.
“It’s a real benefit that truck operators are able to meet their stopping needs and the new federal stopping distance requirements without having to make significant changes to their drum brake specifications or service practices,” said Joe Plomin, vice president, Truck, for ArvinMeritor. “We have the technology and products, and we are ready to support our customers. We have been working closely with vehicle manufacturers and fleets on field tests. Our time-proven and optimized drum brakes will meet the full compliance timeline, and we will continue to work with our OEM customers to make this new regulation transition seamless.”
