Brake Testers
Brake testers are used to test the effectiveness of a vehicle's braking system. The most common and effective type of brake tester is the roller brake tester, which operates by driving the vehicle's tires over a set of rollers. As pressure is applied to the brakes, the force produced is measured, recorded, and displayed by the testing system.
Another type of brake tester is the platform or plate brake tester. These testers measure a vehicle's braking effectiveness as it drives over a metal plate. They are used for vehicles that cannot be tested with a roller brake tester, such as vehicles with more than one driving axle permanently engaged.
Brake testers are used to check new vehicles for existing brake defects, verify the effectiveness of repair work, perform regular safety audits, and test vehicles that have been involved in accidents to determine if their brake systems were functioning at the time of the accident.
More Information:
"Truck Brake Tester Could Boost Highway Safety" Oak Ridge National Laboratory, US Department of Energy.
http://www.ornl.gov/info/ornlreview/v33_3_00/brake.htm