BC Transit – Air Brake Course

ATC (Automatic Traction Control)
• Traction control systems are designed to prevent wheel spin
in the power mode.
•Traction control electronics are integrated into the ABS ECU
(Electronic Control Unit).
•Traction control attempts to regain traction by braking the
spinning wheels, and sometimes throttling back engine
power.
•Unlike an ABS, traction control can automatically apply the
brakes – the driver does not need to depress the brake pedal
for traction control to engage.
• As wheel speed balance is regained, traction is stabilized,
preventing spin or jackknifing.
•Traction control is especially valuable when a light drive
wheel load might allow the wheels to spin under power, or
when a tractor is pulling multiple trailers.
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