BC Transit – Air Brake Course

Weight - Speed - Distance
When weight is doubled, the braking power to stop in the same
distance, must double!
When speed is doubled, the braking power required to
stop in the same distance must increase 4 times!
When weight and speed are doubled, the braking power
to stop in the same distance must increase 8 times!
A vehicle carrying a load of 14,000 kgs at 16 km/h is brought to a stop in 30 meters
under normal braking. If this vehicle’s weight increased to 28,000 kgs., and the
speed was increased to 32 km/h, it would require 8 times the braking power to stop
in the same 30 meter distance. Remember, this is under ideal conditions. If traction
were reduced by poor road conditions, what effect would this have on overall
stopping distance?
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