Review of European projects aiming at reduction of non-exhaust particles’ emission whose source is vehicle braking system

Abstract

The use of internal combustion (IC) engines is one of the major sources of particulate emissions that are generated by the vehicles. However, with the current engine’s equipment, and with the increasing use of electric vehicles, the engine has become a smaller source of particles on the vehicle. Today, one of the most dominant particles’ sources on the vehicle is the braking system that produces the particles with its wear during braking process. Based on this, large European companies, universities and research institutes have launched various projects aimed at improving vehicle braking systems, all in order to reduce the particulate emission that occurs during braking, or by this system. These projects aim to develop braking systems in terms of modern technologies that could reduce particulate emissions by controlling the braking process, using modern materials for the production of friction pads that have a lower wear rate and the formation of ultra-fine particles, but also laying the basis for the introduction of legislation in these authorities. This paper represents the review and analysis of European projects aimed at reducing the particulate emission generated by the braking system, as well as a comparative analysis of their objectives that should be achieved through the realization of these projects. As the basis for all these projects implemented by the largest companies in the world, environmental protection is provided by means of technologies and the way of creating friction elements that were the ideas of the project participants, but on the other hand, and most importantly, the introduction of legal norms that would apply in Europe in relation to non-combustion particles (non-exhaust particles).