What is the function of the emergency brake in an air brake system?

The function of the emergency brake in an air brake system is primarily to provide a reliable means of stopping the vehicle in the event of a primary brake failure. This brake is designed to be activated automatically or manually to ensure that the vehicle can be safely stopped should the main braking system lose pressure or fail for any reason.

The emergency brake operates independently from the primary braking system, ensuring redundancy and enhancing the overall safety of the air brake system. In an air brake setup, the emergency brake is usually activated by an air pressure loss, which means that if there is a failure in the system, the emergency brakes will engage automatically. This critical function helps prevent potential accidents that could occur due to a sudden loss of stopping ability.

While functions like assisting with parking on hills can be a consideration for emergency brakes, their primary role is to ensure safety in case of brake system failures. Similarly, the engagement of ABS during slippery conditions or controlling brake temperature are not functions associated with emergency brakes; rather, those are aspects of the vehicle's overall braking system that deal with different driving scenarios or conditions.