AT THE HEART OF THE ROAD TRANSPORT INDUSTRY.

Call our Sales Team on 0208 912 2120

Anti-lock systems I have just read your report (CM May

24th May 1968, Page 77
24th May 1968
Page 77
Page 77, 24th May 1968 — Anti-lock systems I have just read your report (CM May
Close
Noticed an error?
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.

Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

10) on the proceedings of the IRTE Conference on the Saturday morning. In the last paragraph on the first page it states that Mr. DicksonSimpson claimed that the cycle frequency of anti-lock air pressure systems was not sufficiently high to give efficient operation, and he further goes on to say that an air hydraulic system is more suitable but hydraulics undesirable.

If this represents a correct recording of what Mr. Dickson-Simpson said, then I can only conclude that he should come and discuss with us what really are the fundamental requirements and characteristics of antilock systems, and either for your own information or for publication I would make the following points :— (1) The efficiency of an anti-lock braking system is measured by the improvements in stopping distance on road surfaces and in conditions where normal braking would give both poor stopping distances and the danger of instability. The same old argument about cycle frequency has been brought up in connection with the Dunlop/Ferguson system in the Jensen car, and both on the Jensen and on the Mustangs equip ped by Harry Ferguson Research with the system jointly developed between us, we have been able to show that whatever the preconceived ideas about cycle frequency, this relatively low-frequency system does the job.

12) The use of an air hydraulic system is not fundamentally more suitable for antilock application, since the hydraulics play no particular part in the cycle characteristics but merely convey the message from the air actuator to the brake mechanism. Hydraulic systems of the right type are fundamentally ideal for anti-lock operation, but there are obviously many problems when it comes to the economics and the coupling problems, etc. P.G. WARE,

Director, Dunlop Co. Ltd., Rim and Wheel Division.

I RTE ire We are grateful for the "peck" administered by the Hawk in Bird's eye view (CM May 17). This relatively minor misunderstanding does, however, raise a principle. Continuing the analogy, it is the principle of the -pecking order" in our industry.

The recent correspondence about combin

ing the requirements of all sides of the industry and the need to hasten slowly (CM March 1 and March 8) is relevant to this principle.

All industries have the same problem of organizing their affairs to the best advantage of individuals, companies, trade associations and professional organizations. The older industries appear to have resolved their professional standards, their relationships and their influence rather better than the new. Road transport, in terms of age and experience, must be near the top of this "league" table. It is not surprising therefore that our trade associations are more powerful and numerous than our professional organizations. The fact that we have a fragmented series of professional organizations and get "pecked" on occasions is of minor importance.

A comparison with only one of the older service industries may only be partly valid, but I know the influence, standards of professionalism, the .education and training policy and the relationship between the trade associations and the two professional organizations in the world of company secretaries is quite different.

J. A. FLETCHER,

Secretary, Institute of Road Transport Engineers.

Public outcry needed It is reported that the Ministry of Transport has drawn up a list of all automatic halfbarrier level crossings throughout the country, but goes on to add: -The ultimate responsibility for negotiating the crossing must rest with the driver of the vehicle".

Is it possible to think of any greater source of danger and mental torment than to have a premonition beforehand, the extent of which is dependent upon the sensitivity of the driver?

There should be a public outcry against the use of the automatic barrier.

FRANCIS B. WILLMOTT,

Birmingham


comments powered by Disqus