At the heart of the change are mandatory regular brake performance assessments in the form of laden roller brake tests (RBTs), with a minimum of four tests required each year for trailers in the UK. This not only costs substantial time and money; it also requires precise planning and vehicle availability. That's where state-of-the-art running gear technology comes in with Electronic Brake Performance Monitoring System (EBPMS).

The EBPMS monitors a trailer's actual brake performance in real time. Data is continuously recorded, analysed and can be directly communicated to the fleet manager using telematics. The British authorities now officially recognise this form of continuous monitoring. Trailers monitored by an EBPMS can reduce the need for a laden roller brake test to only once a year during the annual MOT – a major plus in terms of compliance, safety and cost-effectiveness.

In the EU, strict brake checks are not required by law. However, Brake Performance Monitors (BPMs) can be used to continuously monitor a trailer's brake performance as a somewhat simpler yet proven solution. Similar to an EBPMS, brake data from the EBS is continuously monitored, however, not on the basis of individual vehicle-specific parameters but instead on the basis of estimations. The BPM provides a practical tool for increasing road safety and optimising maintenance for trailer manufacturers and transport companies that solely operate in the EU. 

As a leading provider of smart running gear technology, BPW has maintained a long-standing presence on the British market for decades through one of its subsidiaries, complete with in-house development, production and a network of customers and partners. In the UK, BPW Limited has worked in close cooperation with the DVSA to launch and continuously develop the Electronic Brake Performance Monitoring System.  

Not only are customers in the UK benefiting from our extensive experience in brake performance monitoring, everyone who drives our latest iC Plus running gear generation can experience it for themselves. Our expertise brings together running gear technology with telematics and smart services, including the digital maintenance calendar and Brake Performance Monitor, to provide trouble-free maintenance management.  

While EBPMS today sets the standard for compliance with trailer brake performance monitoring in the UK, BPW is already one step ahead of any future tightening of requirements. In the next development stage, we plan to advance our system to monitor the brake performance on individual wheels instead of the current configuration, whereby brake performance is assessed for the entire trailer. The initial test runs are currently underway, and experts from BPW Limited are closely involved in regulatory developments.