Actually, the process of braking is relatively easy to explain, unless recently triggered by a controller. It is a hand or foot movement of the driver that in some form provides for a reduction in wheel speeds. The parking brake is to be differentiated. It is operated by hand or even by foot (example: classic Mercedes) usually only on the wheels of one axle. In rarer cases, this can also be the front one.

In contrast to the parking brake, the foot or service brake usually acts on all wheels connected to the road. Here, friction between linings and bare iron or cast iron plays an important role, but is now partially replaced by the braking torque of a charging generator (recuperation). Of course, this is only possible with light to medium braking. Brake pads are still used for the correct partial or full braking.

There is a distinction between actuation and transmission. The latter has been taking place mechanically for decades in the manual brake usually via bowden cables and in the foot brake, after an initial phase also with such cables or linkage, then soon hydraulically. This translation ratios occur, resulting in shorter pedal travel shorter operating paths.

However, this is of no use if the environmental conditions generate insufficient friction between the tires and the road. That is why it is so deceptive, if for example the four-wheel drive in winter offers perfect traction while accelerating. When it comes to showdown when braking, it's no better than any other two-wheel drive. On the contrary, its generally higher weight is more of a disadvantage here.

This is a raised vehicle with magnetic rail brake located between the axles front and rear, just barely visible in the picture. I've been told that as a passenger you better not get into the 'enjoyment' of using such a brake. In contrast to the usually very weak brake of rail vehicles because of the very small footprint and the unfavorable material pairing attacks this, abruptly lowered to the rail and also connected by E-Magnetismmus with it, quite brutally.

The decisive factor is the friction, depending on the size of the surface, the contact pressure and the material pairing. This has little to do with the type of activity. Incidentally, the brake is comparable to the usual clutch, only that not two rotating parts are connected, but a rotating with a fixed one.