Haldex: road safety starts with reliable trailer braking
While road safety is influenced by many factors, braking performance remains one of the most critical elements in preventing accidents involving commercial vehicles, says technology provider Haldex.
“Modern trailer braking systems do far more than simply stop a vehicle,” said the company.
“They continuously adapt braking performance to vehicle load, help maintain vehicle stability and provide the foundation for a growing range of safety functions.
“Electronic braking systems for truck trailers rely on a combination of carefully engineered hardware and software. At the wheel end, braking performance depends on the interaction between the brake calliper, brake pads, brake discs and the actuators that generate the braking force. At the same time, the trailer must remain closely connected to the tractor unit through systems that provide both control signals and energy supply. Together, these components allow braking forces to be applied accurately and consistently across a wide range of operating conditions.”
One of the biggest advances in road safety over recent decades has been the adoption of anti-lock braking systems (ABS) and electronic braking systems (EBS), says the firm.
“Traditional trailer brake systems use mechanical and pneumatic components to regulate braking force according to vehicle load. Modern EBS technology takes this a step further by integrating load sensing and brake control into an electronic control unit. The result is faster response times, more precise brake management and improved vehicle stability during braking events.
“For fleet operators, these improvements deliver benefits that go beyond compliance. Consistent braking performance helps drivers maintain control in challenging road conditions, reduces tyre wear associated with wheel lock-up and contributes to safer interactions between tractor and trailer. In an industry where vehicle combinations operate under varying loads and across different road environments, intelligent brake management has become an essential safety feature rather than a luxury.”
Another key trend identified by Haldex is the increasing role of software in vehicle safety.
“Modern braking systems are no longer defined solely by their hardware. Software controls critical functions and enables additional technologies to work together within the vehicle. As a result, maintaining the integrity of software has become a growing focus for regulators.
“This has led to the introduction of UN Regulation R156, which requires manufacturers of category O vehicles to implement a Software Update Management System (SUMS). The regulation establishes requirements for recording, managing and securing software updates that may affect vehicle type approval, including updates to braking system software and vehicle parameters. The objective is straightforward: to prevent unauthorised modifications that could compromise safety or regulatory compliance.
“The digitalisation of trailer systems is also creating opportunities for additional safety functions. Technologies such as tyre pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) allow operators to identify tyre-related issues before they lead to breakdowns or safety incidents. Other connected systems can support vehicle control, improve operational visibility and provide drivers and technicians with critical information about vehicle status. These developments demonstrate how modern safety increasingly depends on the interaction between braking, vehicle electronics and data management.”
Looking ahead, says Haldex, regulatory requirements and industry expectations will continue to evolve.
“At the same time, fleets are under pressure to improve safety performance while maximising vehicle uptime and operational efficiency. Reliable braking systems remain central to meeting these objectives.
“Road safety starts long before a driver presses the brake pedal. It depends on a combination of robust engineering, intelligent electronic control and secure software management working together throughout the life of the vehicle. As commercial vehicles become more connected and technologically advanced, modern braking systems will continue to play a vital role in helping to make roads safer for everyone.”
