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Numerous government studies have documented the need for improvement in the condition of heavy vehicle air brake systems. There is an apparent lack of good data indicating the condition of the air brake system on heavy trucks in the United States. Until the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) conducted its heavy truck inspection project, there was no database which could accurately portray the type and size of braking components used, the adjustment level, and the condition of these braking components. A careful analysis of the 1520 five-axle heavy trucks which the NTSB inspected provided needed insight into a severe problem. These inspections also demonstrated that current state truck inspections are not always able to identify these brake problems. There is a major discrepancy between the figures the states submit on the condition of air brakes compared to what the NTSB found.