A method for estimating the mass of a vehicle system includes a number of steps including a first step of providing a vehicle system having at least a powertrain and a vehicle control module. Three different mass estimates are assigned with the last mass estimate being the most accurate. The mass estimates are used in the vehicle control module calculations for vehicle control parameters in the event that the weight of the vehicle changes.

A braking controller and method in a towing vehicle towing one or more towed vehicles as a combination vehicle provides brake control of the one or more towed vehicles based on a level of braking force applied to the towing vehicle. A non-enhanced braking mode applies a first level of braking force to the towed vehicles in a predetermined reduced proportion relative to the level of braking force applied to the towing vehicle, and an enhanced braking mode applies a second level of braking force to the towed vehicles greater than the first level of braking force. A controller deceleration command input receives a deceleration command signal which is compared against predetermined threshold deceleration rate value or against a current deceleration value being executed by the combination vehicle and, based on a result of the comparisons, either the enhanced or the non-enhanced braking modes are implemented by the controller.

A braking controller and method in a towing vehicle towing one or more towed vehicles as a combination vehicle provides brake control of the one or more towed vehicles based on a level of braking force applied to the towing vehicle. A non-enhanced braking mode applies a first level of braking force to the towed vehicles in a predetermined reduced proportion relative to the level of braking force applied to the towing vehicle, and an enhanced braking mode applies a second level of braking force to the towed vehicles greater than the first level of braking force. A controller deceleration command input receives a deceleration command signal which is compared against predetermined threshold deceleration rate value or against a current deceleration value being executed by the combination vehicle and, based on a result of the comparisons, either the enhanced or the non-enhanced braking modes are implemented by the controller.

A system for braking a trailer towed by a tow vehicle. The system includes a signalling means for generating an electrical signal based on an action applied by a driver to a brake operating unit. Further, the system includes means for determining weight of the trailer and a brake control unit. Yet further, the system includes a communication means for providing the electrical signal from the signalling means to the brake control unit. The brake control unit being configured to use the determined weight of the trailer to obtain a gain value, calculate a braking power signal value using the electrical signal and the gain value and provide a braking power control signal to an electric braking unit of a wheel of the trailer, based on the braking power signal value.

Systems and methods are described for coordinating and controlling vehicles, for example heavy trucks, to follow closely to behind each other, or linking to form a platoon. In one aspect, on-board controllers in each vehicle interact with vehicle sensors to monitor and control, for example, gross vehicle weight, axle loads, and stopping distance. In some aspects, two vehicles can determine information associated with their gross weight and axle load, and apply that information to assist with determining a bounding box indicating which vehicle will take longer to stop. Based on which vehicle will take longer to stop, an order of vehicles in a potential platoon is determined.

A system and method for braking a tractor-trailer assembly is provided. The method includes generating a tractor brake pressure for application to a tractor brake for braking a tractor wheel, determining a tractor brake rate based on one or more of the generated tractor brake pressure, one or more parameters of the tractor brake, one or more parameters of the tractor wheel, one or more parameters of a final drive, and a mass of the tractor, and determining a trailer brake pressure applied to a trailer brake of a trailer wheel of a trailer, based on the determined tractor brake rate.

In one embodiment, a system determines activation parameters for an autonomous driving vehicle (ADV), where the activation parameters include historical usages of a primary brake system or a secondary brake system. In response to determining that a brake is to be applied, the system determines whether to activate a primary or a secondary brake system based on the activation parameters. The system sends an activation flag to activate the primary or the secondary brake system based on the determining whether to activate the primary or the secondary brake system. The system sends a brake command to the primary and the secondary brake system to activate either the primary or the secondary brake system according to the activation flag.

Systems and methods are provided for controlling operation of a trailer brake system associated with an agricultural vehicle-trailer combination, comprising: determining abase value for a temperature associated with the trailer brake system; determining coupling force between the vehicle and the trailer; determining a corrected value for the temperature associated with the trailer brake system in dependence on the determined coupling force; and controlling one or more components of the vehicle trailer combination in dependence on the corrected value.

Systems and methods are provided for controlling operation of a trailer brake system associated with an agricultural vehicle-trailer combination, comprising: determining abase value for a temperature associated with the trailer brake system; determining a coupling force between the vehicle and the trailer; determining a corrected value for the temperature associated with the trailer brake system in dependence on the determined coupling force; and controlling one or more components of the vehicle trailer combination in dependence on the corrected value.

A braking system for a motorcycle may have at least (a) a first brake associated with a front wheel of the motorcycle, at least a first electro-hydraulic or electro-mechanical actuator, operatively connected to the first brake, (b) at least a first manual actuation command, associated with and corresponding to the at least one first brake, to send a braking request from a user, (c) at least a second brake associated with a rear wheel of the motorcycle, (d) at least a second electro-hydraulic or electro-mechanical actuator, operatively connected to the second brake, (e) at least a second manual actuation command, associated with and corresponding to the at least one second brake, to send a brake request from a user, and (f) a control unit operatively connected to the first manual actuation command, to the second manual actuation command and to the first and second electro-hydraulic or electro-mechanical actuators.