Samsara has launched its Electronic Brake Performance Monitoring System (EBPMS) in the UK, helping fleet operators save money and meet new guidelines from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). 

The system – part of Samsara’s Connected Operations Platform and Smart Trailer solution – works by continuously monitoring the braking performance of trailers while out on the road. Data is then sent from the trailer's electronic braking systems (EBS) via Samsara’s AG53 Asset Gateway to the Samsara platform. 

If a problem with the braking system is picked up, fleet operators receive automated alerts allowing them to address issues before they lead to costly failures or vehicle downtime. 

The system also provides regular compliance reports to ensure fleet managers have total oversight regarding the operation and safety of their fleet.  

Automating compliance with real-time braking data

This new functionality, which has undergone extensive testing since it was first announced last November, comes as new DVSA guidelines come into force in April 2025. 

Under these guidelines, if EBPMS is not used, fleets are expected to carry out at least four laden brake performance assessments per year – often involving roller brake tests (RBTs) – costing fleets both time and money.

Instead, this new guideline allows fleets to demonstrate brake performance continuously by using EBPMS, which may reduce the need for multiple physical brake tests – potentially enabling a single RBT annually, supported by EBPMS data. By continuously monitoring braking data, Samsara’s EBPMS reduces the need for manual testing, helping fleets maintain compliance without unnecessary and costly interruptions to operations.

 Samsara’s EBPMS system – and the reports it provides – helps meet the technical specs in   the DVSA Guide to Roadworthiness (EBPMS) and the DVSA EBPMS Industry Standard Specification.

For many fleets, the shift to a data-driven solution is expected to bring substantial savings. Each RBT can cost around £300-£400 per trailer when you factor in test fees, fuel, driver hours, and lost productivity. By reducing the need for three out of four physical brake tests through continuous digital monitoring, Samsara could save fleets approximately £1,200 per trailer a year, while helping ensure compliance and improving safety. Furthermore, the DVSA advises that the RBTs are conducted with trailers loaded, adding further complexity, time and significant cost to any businesses affected. 

Quick and easy installation

Installing Samsara’s EBPMS is quick and straightforward. It uses a Samsara AG53 Asset Gateway – fitted underneath the trailer and connected to the EBS unit. 

Typically, it takes just ten minutes to complete the job. Once installed, it continuously captures braking performance data during normal operations, sending real-time insights to the Samsara dashboard for easy monitoring and compliance tracking. 

According to Fox Brothers – the Lancashire-based business with a fleet of more than 80 lorries specialising in the supply and haulage of aggregates and recycled materials – the new EBPMS system looks set to strengthen their compliance while ensuring their vehicles stay on the road for longer. 

“We're keen to implement Samsara's new EBPMS solution across our trailer fleet to meet compliance requirements,” said Simon Colderley, Transport Manager, at Fox Brothers.

“Rather than taking trailers off the road for manual testing, being able to import performance data directly will make testing much easier – especially since our fleet operates nationwide,” he said. 

Lee Wills, Director Conway Bailey Transport Ltd / RR Transport Ltd added, "When the Samsara team promises something, they follow through. Samsara's EBPMS will provide a one-stop solution for our Trailer compliance needs. The 'plug and play' nature of Samara provides simple and fast installation but also a single system for our Trailer information needs, as opposed to a confusing mix of individual systems.”

Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems are connected too

In a broader move toward technology-driven fleet management,  Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) are also  mandatory for new trailers in the EU from July 2024. The UK, while no longer part of the EU, continues to follow many of the same vehicle safety standards, and TPMS adoption is expected to align with these changes.

The issue of tyre pressure might not always be top of mind, but underinflated tyres can have serious consequences. Poor tyre condition and their consequences are regarded as one of the top three costs for a transport company. Slow punctures, for example, account for 90% of blowouts, leading to expensive roadside repairs and lost driving hours. While poorly inflated tyres also increase fuel consumption by around 3% for every 20% drop in pressure. And if that wasn’t enough, tyres that are just 10% underinflated wear out 15-20% faster, meaning more frequent replacements and higher costs*.

Samsara’s TPMS – another part of our Smart Trailer solution – solves these problems by continuously monitoring tyre pressure and temperature, alerting drivers and fleet managers when something isn’t right. This allows operators to fix minor issues before they turn into major headaches, keeping vehicles safe, efficient, and on the road where they belong.

Data is powering Smart Trailers 

In isolation, these two new features are a step forward in terms of efficiency and safety. Together, they are game-changers for fleets looking to use the power of data to help run their operations. 

Both of these functions are part of Samsara’s Smart Trailer solution, which transforms traditional trailers into intelligent, connected assets. As well as EBPMS and TPMS, Samsara’s Smart Trailer solution offers: 

• GPS tracking with real-time visibility for both powered and unpowered trailers, enabling users to see trailer locations, movement history, and usage patterns 24/7. 

• Geofencing allows users to set up virtual boundaries around key locations such as depots, yards, and customer sites which trigger alerts if they’re moved without authorisation. 

• Real-time alerts notify managers in the event of unauthorised trailer tampering, door openings, unexpected movements out of hours, or breaches in temperature or humidity thresholds. 

• Thanks to Samsara’s Connected Operation Platform, the Smart Trailer solution allows fleets to track their assets at scale across an entire trailer fleet. 

• Smart sensors installed on trailers that can detect security breaches and changes in ambient conditions. They can also provide key vehicle indicators such as tyre pressure and the condition of brake pads. 

• For fleet managers, the solution allows them to track their entire fleet via a single pane of glass, identifying underutilised trailers so they can make informed decisions about their trailer fleets. 

These features are part of Samsara’s comprehensive Smart Trailer solution that gives fleet operators real-time insight into the location, condition, and performance of their trailers. And with the DVSA’s new guidelines taking effect in April 2025, Samsara’s EBPMS offers fleets a reliable, cost-effective way to help stay compliant while keeping vehicles on the road. 

With compliance costs rising, fleet operators need smarter, more efficient ways to meet such guidelines. Our technology-first approach gives fleets a practical, cost-effective, and compliant solution that maximises the time vehicles can stay on the road. 

To find out more, register for our upcoming Product Tour on Smart Trailers

*Data Sources: 

• AFDC

• Fleet Equipment Magazine

• Transport.continental-me.com