CITA White Paper on Brakes Inspection
CITA is pleased to announce the publication of its new white paper titled “How to Inspect Brakes of Road Vehicles“, a comprehensive guide addressing the critical role of brake testing in vehicle safety and PTI.
This technical paper was developed by the CITA Task Force on Brakes, a multidisciplinary expert group composed of representatives from leading PTI organizations, equipment manufacturers, and testing bodies. Their objective was to assess current inspection methods and recommend a harmonized, effective, and future-proof approach for evaluating braking systems in road vehicles.
The CITA Task Force on Brakes:
- Leader: Marian Rybiansky – TESTEK, a.s.
- Christian Fahry – FSD Fahrzeugsystemdaten GmbH
- Martin Kraus – DEKRA SE
- Jordi Brunet – VTEQ – VEHICLE TESTING EQUIPMENT, S.L.
- Peter Ondrejka – TESTEK, a.s.
- Georges Petelet – CAPELEC
- Christian Thalheimer – MAHA
- Tomislav Škreblin – CVH
- Patrik Persson – APPLUS+
- Benoît Job – Muller Automotive sas
Why This Paper Matters
Braking systems are among the most safety-critical components in vehicles. However, inspection procedures across countries remain fragmented, and traditional testing methods often face practical and technical limitations. This white paper evaluates the full spectrum of testing methodologies—including dynamic road tests, static brake testers with loaded and unloaded vehicles, extrapolation techniques, and the increasingly relevant reference value method.
Key Takeaways
The reference value method, as defined in UNECE Regulation No. 13, ISO 21069, and ISO 21995, offers the most reliable and efficient approach to brake performance testing in PTI environments. Unlike conventional methods, it allows for axle-by-axle verification of braking forces, is adaptable to both pneumatic and hydraulic systems, and does not require the vehicle to be fully loaded. To make this method widely applicable, the paper emphasizes the need for vehicle-type-specific reference data, accessible via the vehicle’s diagnostic interface, and supported by EU legislation.
This white paper provides valuable recommendations to ensure that brake testing remains robust, consistent, and adaptable to the evolution of vehicle technologies—especially with the growing presence of electric braking systems and connected vehicle diagnostics.