The increase in levels of sophistication and complexity of modern passenger cars  and commercial vehicles  is being driven by environmental requirements. Braking systems can no longer be  considered in isolation - the interactions between vehicle braking, steering, handling, etc., particularly in emergency conditions, are leading to the development of adaptive integrated vehicle control systems.

Building upon the success of previous volumes in the series, Braking 2004-Vehicle Braking and Chassis Control reflects the interaction of braking with the whole vehicle.

Road vehicle braking behaviour experts, both from academia and industry, present the latest research and development devoted and applied to all aspects of braking, and report on field experiences with modern sophisticated systems. Braking 2004 is essential reading for engineers and researchers from across a wide range of disciplines, from highway engineers and tyre specialists to experts in intelligent control systems, and including, of course the traditional foundation - brake specialists.

David Barton is Professor of Language and Literacy and Director of the Literacy Research Centre at Lancaster University. His publications include Beyond Communities of Practice , Letter Writing as a Social Practice, and Local Literacies: Reading and Writing in One Community.

Brian Shilton is Professor of Biochemistry, The University of Western Ontario, London Ontario, Canada.