Brake System Regulation in Brazil: An Update about Resolutions and Statistics Related to the Theme and the Scenario for ESC 2017-36-0021

This work consists in a study about regulations for brake system in Brazil, which aims to show the current scenario, as well as the evolution of the resolutions and technologies. Within the last few years Brazil had a considerable evolution in terms of safety requirements for brake systems. In 2009 an important step was taken when Brazilian Traffic National Consil (Conselho Nacional de Trânsito - CONTRAN), the agency responsible for traffic regulations in Brazil, emitted the resolution N° 312, which established the mandatory use of Anti-lock Brake System (ABS). This obligatoriness was introduced gradually, beginning by passengers cars in 2010, when 8% of the automobiles manufactured in that year should have the system installed as standard item. This percentage would increase until reaching 100% of vehicle production in 2014. However, among the community of the automotive and transportation sectors, there was an expectation that the implementation of the ABS alone, besides seen as a great progress in safety, would not cause a big impact for traffic accident reduction, but no doubt it would make a positive contribution. Later, in 2015, started the negotiations between government agencies and manufacturers’ associations to introduce the stability control system, which may start by vehicle with gross vehicle weight (GVW) of until 3,5 tons by 2020. The objective of this work is to present a current view of the brake regulation scenario in Brazil and related statistics, comparing them with developed countries, as well as to discuss the challenges and expectations for the electronic safety systems for vehicles. In this context, we will see that government agencies have a major role in pushing the adoption of new technologies for the Brazilian market and that this challenge should be faced in a positive way by the manufacturers and society.