2. Deceleration Behaviour

In addition to the dynamic forces experienced by a vehicle during normal operation, there are decelerating forces induced by the driver. Such induced forces emanate from the braking system as the driver actuates the system in order to decelerates the vehicle in a controlled manner, and indeed to bring the vehicle to a stop and hold it in that state. This chapter firstly discusses the conventional hydraulic braking system fitted to the majority of passenger cars and light commercial vehicles. This discussion includes the design methodology and the primary components within the hydraulic system, and their configurations, that ensure safe deceleration even if the system partly fails due to deterioration, such as oil leaks. The chapter proceeds to study the kinematic analysis of any braking vehicle, beginning with a static analysis and then moving towards brake proportioning and adhesion utilisation. The discussion concentrates on a constant front/rear brake ratio but also introduces the concept of variable brake ratio. The chapter also considers wheel locking and its effects on vehicle stability, along with pitching of the vehicle. Advanced systems such as Anti-lock Braking Systems (ABS) are discussed and regenerative braking via an electric powertrain is briefly covered.