Illinois CDL Practice Exam

How does the emergency brake function in case of a brake system failure in an air braking system?

1. By using parts of the service brake exclusively

2. By utilizing only the parking brake system

3. By integrating parts of both service and parking brake systems

4. By employing a separate backup air compressor

The correct answer is: By integrating parts of both service and parking brake systems

The emergency brake in an air braking system is designed to ensure safety in the event of a brake system failure. The correct answer highlights that it integrates parts of both the service brake and the parking brake systems. This design allows the vehicle to maintain control and bring it to a stop even if the primary braking system fails. In an air brake system, when there's a loss of air pressure, the spring brakes (which are part of the parking brake system) apply automatically. However, the emergency brake system also utilizes components from the service brake system to provide additional stopping power and control. This integrated approach increases the reliability of the braking system and helps prevent accidents when there is a failure in the standard braking mechanism. Other options would not provide the same level of safety. For instance, relying on only the parking brake system or components of the service brake exclusively could compromise the vehicle's ability to stop effectively. Meanwhile, employing a separate backup air compressor is not a standard method for handling brake failures in this system. Using an integrated approach is the most effective and safe method for handling emergencies in air braking systems.